We help make the lives of young people better through youth theatre.
We support, connect, and inspire youth theatre participants across Scotland and the adults who work with them.
Our vision is for there to be universal access to quality youth theatre activity across Scotland, and for there to be universal recognition of the positive impact it has.
We consider a youth theatre to be any group or organisation which engages young people, up to age 25, as active participants in theatre arts where their participation is central to the creative process.
We believe youth theatre is an ideal medium to encourage and explore the dreams and visions of young people, and to nurture their self-confidence.
Our aim is for all youth theatre activity in Scotland to aspire to the highest standards of practice, providing a safe, inclusive and rewarding experience for young people.
Youth theatre is a specialist artform and youth work practice. It focusses on young people’s creative, personal and social development through their voluntary involvement in performing arts. Youth theatre activities include creative workshops, training, productions, festivals and audience development.
Youth theatre differs from drama in schools because it is led by young people who play a central role in the creative process, rather than by teachers following a set curriculum.
Through their involvement in youth theatre, young theatre-makers build skills, confidence and connections. As they grow older, they seek new challenges, ideas and insight from their leaders and youth theatre becomes their valued community where they can be creative and empowered.
Our sector mapping indicates there are now over 300 youth theatre groups and 1,500 leaders across Scotland engaging over 15,000 young people every week.
100 of these groups and professionals have registered with us as ‘YTAS Members’. They are the backbone of the sector, engaging the majority of recorded participants and staff across the country.
YTAS works with and for our members as well as supporting the wider sector’s support and development needs.
The issues currently impacting Scotland’s youth theatre participants, groups and leaders are:
To connect a thriving network of youth theatre across Scotland.
To build confident and skilled youth theatre workforce.
To ensure the positive impact of youth theatre is understood and supported.
Provide Ongoing Sector Support
By strengthening the resilience of youth theatres in Scotland; and by producing accessible sector-focussed information which is disseminated to stakeholders and the public.
Address Identified Sector Development Needs
By delivering events, projects and training which ensures the ongoing advancement of Scotland’s youth theatre community, workforce and artform.
Act as a Trusted Intermediary Organisation
By researching, representing and advocating for the needs and positive impact of Scotland’s youth theatre sector.
3,000 young people, professionals and volunteers attend our events and activities
13,000 young people benefit from the training and support we provide their leaders
20,000 users access our online resources and communications
Scotland’s youth theatre participants and leaders gain:
improved
creative, transferable and leadership skills
Scotland’s youth theatre participants and leaders gain:
improved
connections
Scotland’s youth theatre participants and leaders gain:
increased
knowledge and motivation
Scotland’s young people gain:
improved
outcomes in life
Scotland’s young people gain:
access to more and better-quality youth theatre opportunities
Scotland’s youth theatres feel:
better supported
Scotland’s citizens gain:
increased knowledge and awareness of the benefits of youth theatre
Did you know that the YTAS team responds to around 100 requests each year for bespoke advice, support, or collaboration? These come from a wide variety of YTAS members, non-member drama groups, and youth arts and education stakeholders. Common queries include…
If you need help with these types of queries, or anything else, contact info@ytas.org.uk and we’ll make sure the right person gets back to you as soon as possible.
If you’d like to know more about YTAS and our memberships, please contact our team
Our members are located throughout Scotland and together they are responsible for the majority of youth theatre activity delivered across the country
Together we can ensure a strong future for theatre and the performing arts in Scotland for the next generation and beyond
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We are a registered charity in Scotland (No. SC035765) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 269952).
Website by Out of Place Studio
