Positive Stories for Negative Times: Season Three is an international participatory project offering organisations who work with young people a process, newly commissioned plays and training by the best theatre artists working in the UK free of charge. It is produced by Wonder Fools in association with the Traverse Theatre, Ayr Gaiety, Eden Court, Perth Theatre and Youth Theatre Arts Scotland with plays co-commissioned by Wonder Fools and Traverse Theatre.
Wonder Fools are inviting any group working with young people ages between 8 and 25 from anywhere in the world to get involved remotely. Priority will be given to Scotland-based groups to take part in the festivals. Groups can include youth theatres, schools, colleges or anyone working with young people in need of some creativity and connection. If you’ve never made a theatre performance before then don’t worry, you’ll get a handbook full of drama exercises and online support sessions to help you through.
Wonder Fools and the Traverse Theatre have commissioned four new plays from some of the UK’s most exciting voices to create new works for ages 8-25 years old. Artists include Tim Crouch, Robert Softley Gale, Leyla Josephine, and Sara Shaarawi with the return of two devising guides from the previous season, Bryony Kimmings, and The PappyShow with Lewis Hetherington.
Plays will be free to participating groups from 23 January – 1 September 2023.
Wonder Fools and the Traverse Theatre have presented two seasons of the project so far, reaching over 7000 young people from 16 different countries including UK, South Africa, India, USA, Canada, Italy and Sweden.
Other ways to take part
This year, there will also be an exciting new live element with four regional Positive Stories Festivals happening across Scotland during summer 2023 at some of Scotland’s most loved theatres – The Traverse Theatre, Ayr Gaiety, Perth Theatre and Eden Court.
Alongside the project, Wonder Fools are offering a range of participation activities, including online workshops with the playwrights, zoom Play/Meets where group leaders can meet and support each other, as well as the opportunity to be partnered with a buddy group doing the same play as you.
Sign-ups are open via the Wonder Fools website, where you will also find more information about the project and its two participation routes this year. If you would like to apply to perform at an in-person hub festival, the deadline for applications is 17 February. If you would like to apply remotely, the deadline is 26 May.
