To be able to apply for BOP Young Artists (Performers) you must identify as being disabled.

BOP uses the term ‘disabled people’ or ‘disabled artists’ to refer to anyone who self-identifies as disabled. To see the full definition they use, please follow this link.

Selection Criteria: Age

In many organisations, ‘young people’ applies only to people aged up to 25. BOP understands that many disabled people face increased barriers well into their 20s, so we welcome anybody aged 16 up to and including the age of 30 in our projects for young people.

Selection Criteria: Location

To be able to apply for BOP Young Artists (Performers) you must have a home base in Scotland and be able to travel to Glasgow for weekly workshops.

Selection Criteria: Artform

For BOP Young Artists (Performers), applicants must be interested in performing onstage. Applicants should be open to exploring different styles of performance (e.g. script-based, physical theatre, devising etc.).

Selection Criteria: Commitment

Applicants will be expected to commit to the full one year programme to get the most of this exceptional opportunity. They understand that sometimes conditions can flare and health can fluctuate. They will support you however we can for you to continue to take part for the duration of the project. See the section on Access Requirements below.

What will happen at BOP Young Artists?

BOP Young Artists (Performers) will consist of a range of workshops in performance skills including vocals, movement, character work, ensemble work, scripts and devising.

The programme will be led by BOPs Development Officer — Morna McGeoch Fergus Arnott (see BOP staff) — who is a theatre-maker, director and dramaturg with many years of experience working with disabled performers and creatives. There will also be workshops from other members of the BOP team as well as visiting disabled artists.

The selected group of young people will also have individual meetings with Morna where they will work with you to find what you are interested in learning / gaining from being part of BOP-YA (Performers). 

Together, you will decide on some goals for your time with BOP-YA and the BOP team will support you to move towards those goals. There will also be training and resources designed to support your creative development.

Do I need to have any previous experience?

They understand that some disabled people experience barriers preventing them from taking part in creative opportunities, so because of this they do not expect you to have taken part in previous creative opportunities. You might have experience in some areas of performance but not in others- that is welcome too! However, they do expect you to have a passion for performing and to be open to trying different styles and types of performance so you can grow as a performer.

What will I gain from taking part?

BOP Young Artists provides space for building a community of disabled young artists where they can connect, develop and grow through creative activity and collaboration.

You will:

• Gain skills, knowledge and confidence around disability equality
• Gain skills, knowledge and confidence in multiple performance styles
• Create your own access statement – thinking about the barriers you experience and what you need to be able to do your best creative work
• Increase your knowledge about the arts sector in Scotland
• Develop networks across the creative industries in Scotland 

They will work with each young artist on BOP-YA (Performers) for at least one year before supporting them in taking their next steps creatively.

When and where will it happen?

BOP is a Glasgow-based theatre company and BOP Young Artists (Performers) workshops will take place in Glasgow. Starting in March 2025, the group will meet every week or so (taking breaks throughout the year, often in line with school terms and holidays). Once the cohort is selected we will collectively work out ways of working that suit everyone (eg which days, times, durations, breaks required, etc.).

How much does it cost?

They understand that some disabled people experience financial barriers preventing them from taking part in creative opportunities. This exceptional opportunity is free to take part.

BOP can pay for reasonable transport costs where this is a barrier to participation. They may book travel tickets/accessible taxis for you, or they may ask for you to pay for your own travel and then reimburse your expenses.

What if I have access requirements?

Depending on your disability/condition, you might have access requirements — things you require so you can access activities. BOP will always work to whatever your access requirements are and they have a specific budget set aside to overcome any barriers that may have an associated cost; they de do not want an individual’s access requirements to be a barrier that prevents them from taking part in BOP Young Artists.

The sign up form for the recruitment workshops (link below) has space where you can detail any access requirements you might have that would be important for BOP to know about. People who are selected to join take part in BOP-YA (Performers) will then be asked in more detail about any access requirements they have.

They will work together with you to decide on how we can support you to take part. 

At this time they do not have sufficient funds to support BSL users for BOP Young Artists (Performers). We highly recommend contacting Solar Bear, who run their Deaf Youth Theatre.

How do I get involved?

First, you’ll need to sign up for one of our ‘recruitment workshops’ on either 18 February 2025, 5pm-7pm, or 19 February 2025, 2-4pm. Sign up here. This workshop will take place at The Boardwalk, 105 Brunswick Street, Glasgow, G1 1TF.

The recruitment workshop will be a series of games and performance-based activities to help us find an ensemble of performers who can work well together. This is not an audition- it’s a chance for us to get an idea of who you are and what you’re interested in.

The recruitment workshop will be made as accessible as possible- all conditions, mobilities, Neurodivergences and speech differences are welcome. The workshop space will have level access, maximum 12 participants, sensory bags available, and no harsh lighting. If you have any specific access requirements you need us to be aware of, please tell us in the sign up form.

If you have any questions, please contact Morna at morna@boptheatre.co.uk