Behind the Scenes
For Artists
The Producing and Dramaturgy Fellows at the National Theatre of Scotland are delighted to be opening sign-ups for Behind the Scenes – Artists’ Day, as part of the Fellows’ Artist Development Programme 2026.
Taking place at Rockvilla on Saturday the 16 May 2026 from 11:00am till 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 and 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.
Access
Rockvilla is an accessible building, including:
- Being fully wheelchair accessible
- Having two quiet spaces (available throughout the day)
- Having gender neutral and single‑occupancy bathroom facilities
- Travel bursaries and access support are available on request (including support for caring responsibilities, notetakers for workshops, and BSL interpretation).
For more detailed information about our access facilities, click here
For any questions about access support for the event, please email: fellows@nationaltheatrescotland.com
How to apply
Please express your interest using the Jotform below.
The Jotform will ask if you are free to attend the Artist’s Day on Saturday the 16th of May, and includes space for you to attach an access rider or tell us how we can best support you (for example, if you require BSL interpretation). There will also be space to share any dietary requirements.
If we 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.
FAQs
Why are we addressing barriers to access more broadly through the Fellow’s Artist development Programme?
Barriers to working in theatre are complex and often overlap. Many opportunities focus on a single community (for example South Asian / Global Majority / neurodivergent artists). While these spaces are hugely valuable, this Artists’ Day is designed to encourage cross‑pollination and give artists the chance to meet people they might not otherwise have met before.
Why am I not being paid for my time?
This event is part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s free learning opportunities, designed to support artists in small but meaningful ways and to share organisational resources as widely as possible.
These free events are offered in addition to the Company’s core work: paying artists to develop and produce work for our programme, alongside other paid strategic initiatives, and employment opportunities.
This time, date, and format isn't accessible for me, but I am still looking for support?
We recognise that not receiving payment can be a barrier for many artists, along with the length of the day and the Saturday scheduling.
We have tried to mitigate this as best as we can by providing travel bursaries and access support (including support for caring responsibilities, notetakers for workshops, BSL interpretation and having quiet spaces available)
However, if this Artists’ Day is not accessible for you, please see the other support strands the National Theatre of Scotland offers here, where you’ll find the other opportunities we have on offer and the resources available to artists.
What is the travel bursary?
The travel bursary is available for participants based 25+ miles from Rockvilla:
£20 for 25–50 miles
£40 for 50+ miles
If you have any questions about Behind the Scenes and want to get in touch, please email fellows@nationaltheatrescotland.com.
