Theatre in Schools Scotland (TiSS) is a new initiative established to support and develop the provision of theatre in Scotland’s schools, with the ultimate aim of ensuring that every child in Scotland receives, either at nursery or at school, a minimum of one performing arts production per year as a core part of their education.
Developed by Imaginate, the organisation in Scotland that promotes, develops and celebrates theatre and dance for children and young people and the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS), in partnership with leading performing arts organisations, Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, Visible Fictions and Starcatchers, who specialize in work for children and young people, the initiative has been created initially as a pilot project, and will expand over the next three years exploring different models for touring theatre into schools.
During this first year, TiSS will tour two award-winning, internationally recognised Scottish productions, Martha from Catherine Wheels Theatre Company and Shopping for Shoes from Visible Fictions. From 15 August to 14 October 2016, the tour will visit 25 local authorities, with shows playing in over 30 primary schools delivering four performances per school meaning around 15,000 children in Scotland will see world class performances of children’s theatre in their own school this year.
NTS, currently celebrating its 10th birthday, has developed a unique model for touring high quality work and for creating innovative ways of touring the length and breadth of Scotland including hard to reach communities. TiSS will enable Scotland’s leading creators of children’s work to collaborate with the NTS to share resources and deliver this vision across Scotland.
NTS’ Artistic Director, Laurie Sansom says, “I believe it is essential that the Scottish Theatre community takes world-class work that's being made in this country, regularly, to children of every age. I don't think we can underestimate the increase in well-being and academic attainment it provides, and by touring to schools, we are also growing our audiences for the future. This cannot be achieved by the Scottish Theatre community in isolation. Theatre in Schools Scotland has found passionate partners across the arts, business, education and the Scottish government, to make this ambitious idea a reality for Scottish school children this year. I truly hope that it is model that we can sustain from year to year going forward"
There is significant research to confirm that access to theatre and cultural experience enriches lives and impacts positively on health and well-being and in addition to the performances, Theatre in Schools Scotland will also develop and encourage teacher engagement through ongoing education events in the pilot years. Headteacher, Preston Street Primary Maureen Allan says, "We value the opportunities that high quality productions in school provide; enabling our children to develop their imagination, creativity and problem solving in a fun way. Developing these important areas through drama impinges on all areas of the curriculum - and beyond."
This initial TiSS pilot is also supported financially by The Scottish Salmon Company and Arts & Business Scotland.
Confirmed participating schools include: Gardenrose Primary School, Maybole; Baird Memorial Primary School, Cumbernauld; Fallin Primary School, by Stirling; Langless Primary, Falkirk; Dales Park Primary School, Peterhead; Sound Primary School, Shetland; Shawbost Primary, Isle of Lewis; Sgoil nan Loch, Isle of Lewis; St Patrick's Primary School; Dumbarton; Redwell Primary School, Alloa; Fenwick Primary School, Kilmarnock; Eyemouth Primary School, Eyemouth and Preston Street Primary, Edinburgh.