Laurie Sansom (centre left) and Imaginate Director Paul Fitzpatrick (centre right) with children at Preston Street School (from left): Esme, Angus, Chermaine and Fergus.
Photo: Colin Hattersley
Scottish children to see one live theatre production every year
A new pilot scheme led by Imaginate and National Theatre Scotland will bring live performances to 15,000 schoolchildren this autumn.
15,000 children in primary schools around Scotland are to see live theatre this autumn, in a new scheme led by Imaginate and National Theatre Scotland.
By 2020, the project intends for every child in Scotland to see a minimum of one performing arts production per year as a core part of their education.
‘Theatre in Schools Scotland’, developed in partnership with theatre companies Catherine Wheels and Visible Fictions, will tour two shows to over 30 Scottish primary schools in 25 local authorities between August and October.
There will be four live performances per school, with audiences drawn from the host school and the local area, and a series of attached education events to encourage and promote teacher engagement.
Pilot programme
The National Theatre of Scotland has committed to a three-year ‘pilot’ for the scheme – at an approximate cost of £100k per year – and intends to explore different models for touring theatre into schools, providing it remains viable.
The project is supported by funding contributions from the National Theatre of Scotland and participating theatre organisations, as well as investment from local authorities, schools and sponsor organisations.
Year two will see theatre company Starcatchers become the creative lead for the scheme, and an expansion of the tour into nurseries and different primary schools.
Broader strategy
Theatre in Schools Scotland builds on ‘Time to Shine’, Scotland’s first National Youth Arts Strategy. Writing in AP about the strategy, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Culture Fiona Hyslop said the Scottish Government had a “duty” to encourage young people to learn a curiosity and a value for culture, “regardless of their class, background or where they live”.
At the launch for the Theatre in Schools project, she added: “Performing and visual arts help young people’s mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.
“We’re working hard to enrich young people’s lives through arts and creativity and Theatre in Schools Scotland acknowledges that.”
Laurie Sansom, Artistic Director of National Theatre of Scotland, said: “I believe it is essential that the Scottish Theatre community takes world-class work that’s being made in this country, regularly, to children of every age.
“I truly hope that it is a model that we can sustain from year to year going forward.”
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