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Biography - Tanya Myers / Also known as Juanita McMahon

Born in Stoke on Trent, she grew up in the Sussex Countryside, finally moving to her Mother's favourite Seaside resort - Brighton in her teens. After travelling extensively , she trained in Drama Studies at Aberystwyth University and graduated from Dartington College of Arts with a BA Honours in Theatre Studies in 1983. In 1984 she gave birth to her first Daughter, Lily.

Tanya was politically involved in direct action (1982-85), both at Greenham Common and in London, during which she produced "The Fence" together with Common Ground, which was also published by Methuen in 1985.

In 1985 she set up Meeting Ground, together with playwright Stephen Lowe based in Nottingham.

Between 1986 and 1994, Tanya produced and acted in all the new writing projects with Meeting Ground. Projects included Strive, Desire, Demon Lovers and Paradise (a musical co-production with the Nottingham Playhouse based upon 2 years of extensive workshopping with national and local participants re-evaluating the Luddite Movement)

She researched and presented Central TV's "City of Women", a documentary on women in the Lace Market with Steve Englehart in 1986.Whilst teaching at Nottingham Trent University in both the Theatre Design and Performing Arts Departments, she went on to work with Tamzin Griffin to produce "Pushing On", a large scale street choreography for pushchairs and wheelchairs and "Dance for the Girls", an exploration of ancestral possession which toured nationally, inspired by their attendance at the 1986 Magdalena workshops.

Tanya became centrally involved in the International Womens Magdalena Project (director Jill Greenhalgh) where she met Zofia Kalinska who continued to Collaborate with Meeting Ground for 10 years. She produced and acted in all the International Productions such as "The Sale of Demonic Women" (Based on the writings of Witkiewitcz) and Plaisirs D'Amour (The award winning production based upon the story of Abelard and Heloise) touring Poland, Germany and Britain.

Also during 1987-1994, Tanya worked frequently at Derby Playhouse with Annie Castledine on plays: "Touched" by Stephen Lowe, "Sunday's Children" by Gerlind Reinshagen, "Masterpieces" by Sarah Daniels and "The Tales of Robin Hood" (playing Robin Hood).

In 1993, she played (Phasie) in crimes of Passion at the Nottingham Playhouse and returned to the Magdalena festival, together with her mother (Pearl Myers) and her daughter (Lily) to perform 'Florence' - a tribute to 4 generations of women (see feminist Theatre Practise by Elaine Ashton published by Routledge)

In 1994 she wrote, produced and directed her own play "Falling Angels" with Meeting ground which toured nationally.
In February 1994, she gave birth to her second daughter Martha.
In 1995 she performed in "The Promise" written by Cathy Lesurf (ex- Albion band and Fairport Convention)
In 1997, Tanya married Stephen Lowe at Elvaston Castle, celebrating 18 years of life and friendships.

Over the following 10 years 1995-2005, Tanya worked mostly in film and television, appearing in Shane Meadow films; "Smalltime", "24/7" and "Room for Romeo Brass", in "The Trick"(Best Short film 1996) and the British internet transmission for " The Blairwitch", both directed by Rob Green. Later in 2003 she appeared in the award winning short "Innocent Pink" directed by Paul Whittington.

Her Television appearances include: No Bullying (Central TV) which won the best childrens TV award 1996; The Bill(LWT), Emmerdale (YTV), This is Personal - The Story of the Yorkshire Ripper (YTV)Directed by David Richards, Insiders directed by Danny Hilliers (BBC), Casualty (BBC) directed by Robert del Maestro, Heartbeat(YTV) Holby City(BBC), Doctors(BBC) directed by Christopher Timothy, Dr Terribles House of Horrible (Baby Cow)) directed by Matt Lipsey and more recently The Marchioness (YTV), directed by Ken Horn. Silent Witness(BBC) directed by Bruce Goodison

Theatre Work includes "Quarantine" at Birmingham Rep(2000) where she played played Martha, directed by Bill Alexander and more recently (2005) when she returned to Nottingham Playhouse to perform in "Children of the Crown" directed by Andrew Breakwell.

1999- 2000, Tanya toured the much acclaimed "Teeth Like Razors" together with Cathy Lesurf and Curt Glanz, based upon the writings of Brecht and Music by Weill and Eisler. Followed by "The Mobius Twist"( 2003) written by Cathy and later " The Difference"(2004) written and devised by Michael Wilson and Curt Glanz.

There was a significant shift back to the Theatre in 2003. In response to the developing Meeting Ground/AZ Theatre "War Stories" project - Tanya collaborated with Lily, her eldest daughter, in the making of " Shoes", directed by her stepson Tom Wright.; An exploration of young and old suicides with age roles reversed between mother and daughter. These performances mark the continuation of a life time theme of personal work, focusing upon "The Family" in both a literal and metaphorical capacity.

In 2005, Tanya wrote and performed "Small Waves" together with her youngest daughter, Martha (12yrs) - exploring the question of exile and post trauma depression. Autumn 2005, Stephen Lowe was commissioned by Tangere Arts to write "The Fox", inspired by DH Lawrence. Tanya played Ellie in this Premiere Tour.

In the Spring 2006,Mother and daughter travelled to Canada and performed "Small Waves" at the Methodica Theatre in Vancouver, where the work received a powerful and moving response from an audience familiar with the reality of transmigration and loss.

Later that Summer, both Martha and Tanya were cast in the feature film ' Control' directed by Anton Corbijn. The film based on the life story of Ian Curtis from 'Joy Division', featuring Samantha Morton and Sam Riley. Tanya and Martha played Curtis's mother and sister respectively.

2006 Autumn, She joined Take Art to tour new play by Shiona Morton,'The rain Has Voices', This production launched Somerset's first New Writing Theatre Company and toured throughout villages and towns in Somerset and Dorset with huge success.

Current activities; 2007;

At the end of 2005, Anna Furse- artistic director of Athletes of the Heart invited Tanya to collaborate in an exciting European cyber improvisation space, exploring the legendary Don Juan, an icon of male sexuality.Cyber space rehearsals take place weekly. Anna is co-producing the Don Juan Project together with the Slovenian Mladinsko Theatre. The cast will convene 'in the flesh' in Slovenia, May - July 2007. Don Juan will open in London October 2007.

Again, inspired by the War Stories project, Tanya is planning to write a new 'rites of passage' play, called 'Sail Away', exploring myth and value systems featuring 'the veil', in collaboration with her mother; a preparation for old age and a voyage into eternity.

Tanya is also known better for narrating Talking Books, under her pseudonym Juanita McMahon. Her 70 best selling narrated novels include; Nightwatch, Tipping the Velvet , Fingersmith and Affinity, all written by Sarah Waters, War Crimes for the Home by Liz Jenson , Facing the Light by Adele Geras and The Butterfly Box, The Last Voyage of the Valentina , Meet me Under the Ombu Tree, all written by Santa Montifiorini.

An SGI member of Nichiren Buddhism Tanya practises in the Seven Hills District, Nottingham.