Introduction

National Theatre of Scotland's vision is to be a Theatre for Everyone.

Back in 2021, we identified that we were yet to engage with South Asian Communities in Scotland on a significant level. To address this gap, we initially created a South Asian Steering Group. This was part of a discovery phase, from which future plans could be developed and delivered.

In 2022, the Steering Group worked with a cross department group to explore five key areas of the Company's work: community engagement, audience development, artist development, programme development and career insights/employability.

Together we explored what opportunities currently existed for South Asian artists and audiences in Scotland, what had gone before, what was required now and what National Theatre of Scotland is uniquely placed to do moving forward.

In addition to our meetings, the Steering Group helped us shape an Audience Development Research Project, conducted by The Audience Agency, to explore potential South Asian audiences' interest levels in existing theatre programming, as a tool to consider what future offers and experiences may attract a greater proportion of South Asian theatre goers.

We also designed a survey for the Steering Group (and their contacts), that asked for specific examples of South Asian culture; artists, films, plays, poetry, literature, traditional or contemporary, that we should be aware of to develop our cultural connections of these communities and that could form the basis for new theatrical work or adaptation.

Action Plan

Our priorities for 2023-2028 can be found below in our South Asian Action plan. Outcomes of our 2024/25 activities can be found in the progress report.

Our Steering Group members continue to support our South Asian Action plan as advisors who are available to the whole company to advise on any aspect of our work and how to ensure greater inclusion and representation of our South Asian communities.

If you would be interested in knowing more about this project or would like to participate/input in any of the initiatives please email project leads:

Caroline Newall, caroline.newall@nationaltheatrescotland.com