As part of this year’s Positive Stories Festivals, Wonder Fools are offering professional development workshops for youth theatre practitioners. The following workshops are free to attend and aim to help practitioners learn new skills and build their practice. Places are limited and granted on a first-come-first-served basis via the ‘Get Tickets’ email links at either the top or the bottom of the page.
The highlight will be performances from the brilliant groups participating in this year’s festivals. For tickets to any of the performances, check out the venues’ websites.
Members of the YTAS team will also be around on Sun 8 and Sat 14 June to say hello.
Positive Stories Festival, Tron Theatre, Glasgow
Sat 7 June 2025: Writing Creatively with Young People, Nicola McCartney, 1pm – 3pm
Nicola McCartney is an acclaimed playwright and dramaturg who has worked extensively with young people internationally, collaborating with organisations including the Traverse Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, Dundee Rep, ThickSkin, Birds of Paradise and Catherine Wheels. Drawing on her extensive experience leading projects like Class Act and collaborative work with young people and communities—ranging from post-Soviet regions to India — Nicola offers practical strategies to support young people in finding their creative voices. This workshop explores dynamic approaches to scriptwriting, empowering youth theatre leaders to encourage meaningful storytelling and creative expression from diverse perspectives.
Sun 8 June 2025: Creating Playful Anarchy in Youth Theatre with Melanie Jordan, 1pm – 3pm
Melanie Jordan is an award-winning performer, director, and theatre maker, specialising in physical theatre, clown and outdoor arts. She is Surge’s Physical Theatre Practitioner and Co-Artistic Director of feminist theatre company Jordan & Skinner. In this physical workshop participants will explore practical and fun techniques in creating street performance. Melanie will share exercises and experience in physical ensemble work, engaging with non-traditional performance spaces, audience interaction and playful rule breaking.
Positive Stories Festival, Traverse, Edinburgh
Sat 14 June 2025: Vulnerability and Collaboration in Youth Theatre, James Ley, 2pm – 4pm
James Ley is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, celebrated for works such as Love Song to Lavender Menace and Wilf, known for his collaborative and playful approach. Inspired by his play Hold Me Closer Bunny Baxter and collaboration with the Youth Board, James leads a workshop focused on embracing vulnerability and openness in creative processes. Participants will engage in playful writing exercises, explore the importance of intergenerational dialogue, and discover practical ways to create supportive spaces where young people can take creative risks without fear of judgement or failure.
Sun 15 June 2025: Movement for Ensemble Work, Vicki Manderson, 2pm – 4pm
Vicki Manderson is an award-winning movement director and choreographer who has collaborated with leading companies including Frantic Assembly, National Theatre of Scotland, and the Lyceum Theatre. In this physical workshop, Vicki shares exercises and techniques designed to help youth theatre leaders foster strong physical connections within an ensemble. Participants will explore ways to unify performers through dynamic and expressive movement, enhancing collective storytelling and performance cohesion.
