YTAS Workshop Assistant Exchange
We ran 3 engaging forum events for young people in the youth theatre sector who were working in the role or workshop assistants. Over the three workshops we recruited 19 young people from membership organisations across Scotland in leadership roles. Two events took place in person, (in Ayr and Perth) and the third online.
The aims of the sessions were to:
Have fun and connect with each other
Exchange skills, ideas, and challenges
Reflect upon and share their views on the sector’s need
Many youth theatres across Scotland have paid or volunteer young leaders acting as workshop assistants or advocates to support their work. YTAS knows that these young leaders have a unique insight into the current challenges and benefits of youth theatre, as they are both current participants and junior leaders. The Workshop Assistant Exchange has started kicked off a project for YTAS, working towards creating a stronger collective voice across the sector and has laid the foundation for a network connecting young people in similar roles across the country.
Over the course of three workshops, participants have hosted games exchanges, built a manifesto, discussed and troubleshooted common challenges and developed new friendships.
These workshops represent the pilot stage for this project which have helped YTAS and the forum's leader, YTAS Youth Board member Mhairi to establish a method of working and a clear path forward.
Attendees said of the events: