Leading the way in the art of theatre

PHOTO RELEASE - Monday 16 March 2015

Leading the way in the art of theatre -makers have been chosen to work month Young Arts Leaders programme. With funding through Creative Scotland, the programme is delivered by Youth Theatre Arts Scotland (YTAS) to encourage a new generation of arts leaders and producers within their own communities.

YTAS identified young people aged 16 to 25. Following interviews in January 2015, the chosen eight recently came together at the first of three Leadership Skills weekend workshops. Here they also met some of the theatre professionals who will mentor them over the twelve months of the programme. Each participant will develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills to allow them to create and produce their own theatre-based projects in their own communities, where it is needed most.

A resource budget of up to ÂŁ500 is available for each Young Leader to invest in their regional project. On completion of the twelve-month course, the Young Leaders gain a Gold Arts Award with units in personal arts development and arts project leadership.

Communities redistribution of the proceeds of crime.

CashBack for Creativity Portfolio Manager Joan Parr said We are delighted to help enable these young people to develop their creativity and become independent, confident individuals. Through engagement with their local communities, these Young Arts Leaders will create change for the better, inspire network ENDS

Notes to Editors PHOTO DETAILS The photograph shows Young Arts Leaders at the Callander Hostel (March 2015) for the first of three Leadership Skill weekend workshops.

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW Kenny McGlashan, Chief Executive Officer, Youth Theatre Arts Scotland.

YOUTH THEATRE ARTS SCOTLAND Youth Theatre Arts Scotland is the national development organisation for youth theatre.

Our mission is to transform lives through youth theatre by developing inspiring participatory opportunities for young people in Scotland, and by connecting, supporting and training the professionals who work with them. We support a membership of more than 120 youth theatre organisations and freelance practitioners who engage around 23,000 young people in youth theatre activity across the country every week.

Further information and images are available from James Coutts, Press Office on 0131 538 0591 or email james@ytas.org.uk GOLD ARTS AWARD The Gold Arts Award equates to 35 UCAS points.

CASHBACK PROGRAMME CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them into free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland.

Creative Scotland has delivered the CashBack for Creativity project since 2011. Between 2011 and 2014, it has funded 70 projects, creating opportunities for young theatremakers, dancers, film-makers and musicians to develop their skills and realise their full potential.

YOUNG ARTS LEADERS PARTICIPANT BIOGRAPHIES Stephanie Boyle, 24, Glasgow Glasgow-born Stephanie already has an HND in Acting and Performance and is now studying for a BSc in Applied Psychology. She would eventually like to study Drama and Movement Therapy. She co-founded Bold Cow Productions in 2013 and has so far produced, directed and performed two plays. She enjoys the opportunity for cross over between disciplines that creating theatre allows.

Joshua Ford, 16, Fife Currently studying NQ Events at college in Fife, Joshua hopes to continue his studies with Technical Theatre, specialising in Stage Management. His preferred discipline is technical theatre because he feels there is nothing in his locality where young people are able to learn it. Joshua appeared in the Youth Music Theatre Scotland (YMTS) production of Billy Elliot.

Colleen Garrett, 23, Ayrshire Colleen graduated in 2013 with a Drama and Performance degree from Queen Margaret University. Since then, she has worked as a freelance drama facilitator, from pre-school children to young adults. She has also worked with young people with a range of disabilities

at a special needs school in Glasgow. Colleen is a passionate performer, enjoying acting and devising and writing new material. She has appeared in shows at the Edinburgh and Stockholm Fringe Festivals, and recently performed at Arches Live.

Jasmine Main, 20, Glasgow Jasmine has had a passion for acting and performing from an early age. She left school at 15 to study for three years at Langside College for an HND in Acting and Performance.

Following graduation, she went on to study for a BA Honours in Acting which she completed last year. Jasmine has worked professionally as an actress throughout her studies and now works in the industry.

Kirsty Mackay, 19, Perthshire Kirsty has worked and volunteered with youth theatre groups for around three years. She studied Acting and Performance at Dundee College where she developed a love for directing and creating challenging contemporary theatre.

Fraser Morrison, 18, North Lanarkshire Fraser has extensive performing experience, including several leading roles in Youth Music Theatre Scotland. His main passion is writing and directing for educational theatre. He cowrote and directed Caught in the Net, an educational piece about internet safety, which won the UK CyberSmart Award. Fraser has also run school drama workshops in Forth Valley and Fife, and enjoyed success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2013.

Christopher Patrick, 23, Renfrewshire Christopher has experience of directing but is primarily drawn to writing. For him, writing holds the potential to create something which will engage and inspire an audience and bring them together. For his most recent project, Christopher helped produce, write and direct a two-week run of The Constant Soldier at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He Young Writers course.

Rosie Reilly, 16, Scottish Borders Rosie is currently in fifth year at high school. She dances with Manor School of Ballet and performs in its productions. Rosie has gained 200 hours of experience with the Saltire Awards through her volunteering. Her love of dance encouraged her to apply for the Young Arts Leaders course and she relishes the challenge of becoming a leader.