The Producing and Dramaturgy Fellows at the National Theatre of Scotland are delighted to be opening sign-ups for Behind the Scenes Artists’ Day.

Taking place at Rockvilla on Sat 16 May 2026 from 11am – 4.30pm, this free one-day event is for Scottish artists from any discipline who identify as experiencing barriers to access within the theatre sector. The day combines practical learning, honest conversation, and relaxed networking in a supportive, low‑pressure environment, and aims to help artists better understand how the industry works and how to advocate for themselves within it.

Across the day, participants will:

– Take part in informal networking with peers
– Explore practical tips for demystifying how to pitch yourself (and your work) as an artist
– Hear directly from National Theatre of Scotland staff and other professionals in a panel exploring what happens behind the scenes at NTS, with space to ask your own questions
– Choose between two workshops lead by leading industry professionals

Lunch, snacks, teas and coffees will be provided.

Who It’s for
This event is for artists who are aged 18+, at any stage of their career who self‑identify as experiencing barriers to access. This may include (but is not limited to) artists who:

– Identify as neurodivergent and/or disabled
– Come from working‑class, migrant, or lower socio‑economic backgrounds
– Have faced geographical barriers to theatre or arts education
– Experience age, maternity, or caring‑related barriers
– Identify as Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, or as part of other underrepresented groups

Artists can be from any discipline and at any stage of their career.

How To Apply
Please express your interest using the Jotform at https://nationaltheatrescotland.jotform.com/260744428374361.

The Jotform will ask if you are free to attend the Artist’s Day on Sat 16 May 2026, and includes space for you to attach an access rider or tell us how they can best support you (for example, if you require BSL interpretation). There will also be space to share any dietary requirements. If they receive more expressions of interest than available places, participants will be selected at random by lottery.  

You will be notified if you have a place by 16 April 2026. 

For further information, please contact fellows@nationaltheatrescotland.com or visit https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/for-artists/behind-the-scenes.