Eight of Scotland’s most talented young theatre-makers travel to Norway to represent Scotland at RE:LOCATION 2012 international youth theatre event.

(Photo: Louisa-Jane Findlay-Walsh)

There’s another Team GB. They are not at this year’s Olympic Games in London, instead a group of exceptional young theatre-makers is set to represent Scotland at the pioneering RE:LOCATION 2012 International Youth Theatre Festival in Stavanger, Norway from 10-19 August.

To showcase the best of Scotland’s young theatre-making talent, Promote YT, Visible Fictions and the National Theatre of Scotland auditioned applicants from all over Scotland, before selecting eight young people to form the RE:LOCATION 2012 Scottish Company. The company is comprised of young people from youth theatres based in Buckhaven, Caithness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverurie, Lochaber and Musselburgh who have all been working with Lead Artist Paul Gorman (Visible Fictions) and Associate Artist Jennifer Bates, developing an ambitious new piece of theatre based on the theme of ‘fear’.

Last month the RE:LOCATION 2012 Scottish Company devised and rehearsed their new show in residence at Scotland’s National Festival of Youth Theatre, performing before an audience of family, supporters, and over 400 young people. Now they are set to take their work from the national to the international stage as they prepare to showcase Scottish theatre-making talent in the company of five other nations at RE:LOCATION 2012, Norway.

Hosted by Rogaland Theatre, Norway, RE:LOCATION 2012 is a new international youth theatre project designed to promote international exchange and celebrate excellence in youth performing arts. Scotland is privileged to be one of only six nations invited to participate and is proud to be recognised as a leading nation in youth theatre arts in the Year of Creative Scotland.

The RE:LOCATION 2012 Scottish Company demonstrates the strength and vitality of Scotland’s youth arts provision, and shows that there are world class performers learning and training in communities all across Scotland. All participants have become involved through their local youth theatres and now prepare to perform together, and to make both their home towns and their country proud.

The creation of the Scottish Company is a collaborative artistic project led by Promote YT (Scotland), the national support and development organisation for youth theatre, in partnership with leading theatre company Visible Fictions and the National Theatre of Scotland, with investment from Creative Scotland.

RE:LOCATION is a unique opportunity not only for the young people chosen, but also for the youth theatre sector of Scotland to benefit from sharing skills, ideas and inspiration with young people and leaders from across Europe.

The RE:LOCATION 2012 Scottish Company are raring to go, and all who are involved can’t wait to tell the good news story of youth theatre in Scotland on the world stage.

Colin Bradie, CEO/Director, Promote YT (Scotland) said: “With over 80 youth theatres engaging 14,000 young people in positive creative activity each week youth theatre is very much alive and well in Scotland. Our invitation to participate in RE:LOCATION represents an amazing opportunity to showcase Scotland’s talents internationally and we, along with our partners,
are delighted to put together a company of 8 exceptional young theatre makers to fly our flag in Norway
this summer. It will be an exceptional experience for them.”

David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager, Creative Scotland said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the eight talented young people to collaborate with their peers from
other nations and a great introduction to a professional career in theatre and the performing arts. Working with highly skilled theatre professionals in Scotland and then performing a new work in
Stavanger, Norway, will be a life-changing experience for each of them.”

Paul Gorman, RE:LOCATION Lead Artist and Head of Education and Participation at Visible Fictions said: “Now that the young company have been assembled I am really excited to see the creativity of this eclectic group. The opportunity for the young company to perform on an international stage will not only develop them as individuals but also present the best Scotland has to offer. I can’t wait to begin the adventure.”

Gillian Gourlay, Learning and Outreach Manager at the National Theatre of Scotland said: "This is a great opportunity to showcase the vast, young talent of Scotland's ever evolving youth theatre
sector on an international stage as well as at home and National Theatre of Scotland are proud to be partners on such a unique project as RE:LOCATION. We couldn't have asked for a more diverse, talented and geographically spread young company to represent Scotland in Norway".

To keep up with the RELOCATION 2012 Scottish Company journey read their daily blog on Tumblr -http://relocation2012scot.tumblr.com - follow them on Facebook, on Twitter #RESCOT2012, and through the Promote YT website.

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