Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS) is delighted to announce that Class Act, their annual partnership programme with the Traverse Theatre, has returned. During Tuesday nights at The Block, IYS will play host to the programme for the first few sessions, and then move to Traverse Theatre where young people will work with theatre professionals and actors to create a production for Class Act.
This year they have Uma Nada-Rajah as the IYS playwright mentor. Uma Nada-Rajah was a member of the Young Writers’ programme at the Traverse Theatre and a recipient of a New Playwrights’ Award from Playwrights’ Studio Scotland. She is a graduate of École Philippe Gaulier and was recently the Starter Female Political Comedy Writer-in-Residence at the National Theatre of Scotland.
What is Class Act?
Class Act is the Traverse Theatre’s flagship education project, challenging young people from across Edinburgh to become artists and writers, creating brand new creative work to be premiered by the Traverse.
Last year, young people from IYS participated in this annual seven session programme, which led to a showcase of live theatre performances by professional actors, such as The Scot’s Laura Lovemore and Dunkirk’s Fionn Whitehead. The young people wrote scripts and directed their own plays with theatre professionals to support them to make their vision a reality. The programme was mentored by award-winning playwright Sara Shaarawi, and Creative Engagement Director, Robbie Gordon.
Who is Class Act aimed at?
Anyone with a story to tell! You will be guided weekly to allow you to develop your script and characters. You can create something individually or collaborate as a group. You’re not limited to create a stage production either. You can make an animation, a music video or a short film – the Traverse will source professionals to support to make it!
Does it cost to sign-up?
Class Act is free to participate. IYS collaborate with Traverse Theatre so that young people that access our services can easily be part of the Class Act programme. Last year, they combined The Block with the Class Act programme to make this easier for our young people to participate. Theatre professionals came to our headquarters to meet young people and started developing their ideas and later the projects were moved to the actual theatre to scope out the production and work with actors. If travelling into Edinburgh, IYS can cover travel too.
When and where does Class Act start?
Tue 3 October – 14 November 2023 at The Block, which takes place in our office at 48 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5DE.
Don’t worry if you can’t make one or two dates, just let them know which on the registration form: https://www.interculturalyouthscotland.org/post/class-act-is-back
