Three days, wrapped into one brilliant big weekend of connection. A national community of youth theatre practitioners, organisations, drama teachers, and everyone else who uses drama and theatre in their work with young people.

From 24-26 September 2027, we’re gathering all of these vibrant folk in Perth and we want you there, in the room with us connecting, thinking, upskilling, and making fantastic things happen together.

We’ve taken two of our national events and merged them together, so that everyone can connect in new and inspiring ways that might not have been possible before. Our creative practice weekend, Interchange, joins forces with the artist formerly known as the National Convention of Youth Drama, to bring managers and practitioners together into one cohort. Don’t worry if you can’t make the full event though: the weekend will be split into a conference-style day on Friday and two creative practice days on Saturday and Sunday, so you can choose your own adventure and get your whole team involved.

Expect big ideas and fresh perspectives. Workshops that encourage you to step into new areas of practice. Big discussions in auditoria as well as wee chats over coffee, each as important as the other. Connect with practitioners you’ve met before, and welcome new faces into the fold.

But the programme isn’t set yet – we need you to help us steer. If there’s a skill you want to learn, interesting research you’d like to share, or an area of practice you’ve been developing, get in touch with Emma to talk about speaking or to make suggestions.

Tickets will go on sale early in 2027, so keep an eye on our newsletter and socials for more news. Tickets for YTAS members will be highly subsidised and bursaries will be available.