Do you want to inspire early-career theatre-makers and help craft new, cutting-edge performance? Apply to be Lead Artist in Trajectories, Scottish Youth Theatre’s early-career artist development programme.
Scottish Youth Theatre (SYT) are seeking a Lead Artist with a strong track record of professional theatre-making and an aptitude for supporting early-career artists who are developing their independent theatre-making practice.
Trajectories is a fully supported early-career artist development programme, delivered through a combination of in-person and online workshops and masterclasses plus independent development time, culminating in a showcase event of the young artists’ work. The event will take place at Summerhall, one of Scotland’s leading venues for contemporary performance, for a public audience in October 2026.
The Lead Artist will provide creative mentorship, theatre expertise and encouragement to the five young theatre-makers through a range of 1-2-1 engagements, group workshops and ongoing dramaturgical input throughout the development and rehearsal process. They will be a key collaborator, enabling young artists to take risks, explore their own artistic practice and reflect on their learning and development.
The Lead Artist will be sensitive to the needs of those in the early stages of their career and able to respond with appropriate and inspiring prompts and guidance to bring their new work to life. In consultation with the participants, they will co-curate a series of masterclasses led by guest artists to extend participants’ creative practice and act as stimulus for the work they are making. They will work closely with SYT’s Artistic Producer to ensure the participants are well supported, the different elements of the programme are effectively delivered and project logistics run smoothly.
Trajectories will take place both in Edinburgh and online, between September – November 2026. The attached fee for the role is £5,320 for 16 days of preparation, planning, delivery and evaluation, alongside two weeks of rehearsals and production. To learn more about the project and what is required to apply, please visit their website:
https://scottishyouththeatre.org/work-with-us/trajectories-lead-artist-call-out-2026/
Deadline: 9pm, Tue 23 June 2026
Trajectories is produced by Scottish Youth Theatre, and supported by Creative Scotland, CMS Charitable Trust and The Noël Coward Foundation.
For further information, please contact annie@scottishyouththeatre.org or visit https://scottishyouththeatre.org/work-with-us/trajectories-lead-artist-call-out-2026/.
