OPPORTUNITIES
PAST OPPORTUNITIES
CALL-OUT FOR TOURING PRODUCTIONS - THEATRE IN SCHOOLS SCOTLAND 2026-2027
Application Deadline: 17:00 on Friday 20 June 2025
BSL and audio version of this call out can be found at the bottom of the page.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Theatre in Schools Scotland (TiSS) is produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate to support and develop the touring of high-quality theatre and dance performances to Scotland’s schools and nurseries. TiSS presents an annual programme of productions for children and young people created by Scottish performing companies and artists. These productions are designed especially for school halls and classrooms, and can travel anywhere in Scotland.
Our 2026-2027 programme will mark the 10th birthday of Theatre in Schools Scotland!
We are looking forward to celebrating this exciting anniversary, and hope to hear from a wide range of artists and companies interested in being part of the 26-27 programme. Please reach out to us for a conversation if you are not sure whether to apply, or want to let us know generally about upcoming plans to create or adapt productions that could tour to schools.
Theatre in Schools Scotland is currently looking for:
ABOUT THEATRE IN SCHOOLS SCOTLAND TOURS
ELIGIBILITY
All productions must be:
1. Presented by an artist or company based in Scotland.
2. Ideally an existing, finished production which has already been successfully performed for children of the intended age.
We know that many artists and companies are undertaking new projects at the moment and may have work which will be ready for the academic year 26-27 but not finished at the time of this call-out. We may be able to consider work in progress depending on how advanced a stage it is at and whether it has been shared with children yet. Please get in touch for a chat if you are interested in applying with an idea in progress
3. Suitable for performance in school halls or classroom. This generally means a production:
With less than a two-hour load in and out.
That can run off a school’s power supply and from 2 power outlets.
That can be performed on a flat level without a stage or raked seating.
That does not require black-out.
Maximum space available is usually around 10mx10m including the playing space and seating area.
4. Suitable for pupils within our audience of Nursery-Secondary 2 (S2) – ages within 4-14 years. For example, suitable for Nursery-Primary 4 (P4), or suitable for Primary 4-Primary 7 etc.
5. Any productions suitable for S1 and/or S2 must also be suitable for P6 and P7 – for the whole range of ages 10-14 years.
6. Any productions suitable for Nursery must also be suitable for P1 and P2 – for the whole range of ages 4-7 years.
DESCRIPTION OF REMOUNT AND ASSOCIATED PRODUCTION OPTIONS
There are two ways for artists or companies to be part of the programme: as a Remount production or an Associated production.
1. Remount Productions:
Touring within the school year September 2026 - March 2027.
Each year we aim to remount two productions.
TiSS funding covers a period of rehearsal/remount time (up to two weeks) including fees for performers and artistic team.
It also covers all team fees, royalties, and per diems for the touring period.
The average budget that we are able to support for Remounts is:
TiSS also covers accommodation during the tour and costs of van/car hire and fuel or public transport.
If applying as a Remount production, the application form will prompt you to upload a complete budget (template linked at the end of this document).
TiSS plans, markets, and arranges the tour, and organises the details of each school visit. Schools book directly with TiSS, and TiSS collects payment from each school.
The production will tour across Scotland, usually for a period of 6-8 weeks. This can be a split tour across two academic terms or one long tour period.
Who is a Remount production right for?
You will have a production which you would like to tour to schools across Scotland in the academic year 26-27, and need TiSS funding to support the rehearsal and tour period. You would also benefit from planning, marketing, and booking assistance from TiSS.
2. Associated Productions:
Expressions of interest for touring at any time (within a school year September-March)
For Associated productions the company or artist are usually already fully funded to tour and would like the support of TiSS to add school dates to their tour.
TiSS supports marketing, administration, and booking for these school performances within the production’s broader tour schedule. Alongside the artist or company, the TiSS team work out what dates and areas the production is available for, and TiSS books schools in.
TiSS collects payment from each school which is then paid out as the daily fee to the company or artist. This is the extent of TiSS financial support.
The usual cost to schools per day/daily fee paid to the company by TiSS is:
All fees and costs for performers and creative team during rehearsal and performance period, as well as van/car hire, petrol, per diems, royalties, and accommodation are the responsibility of the company or artist.
TiSS tour length/number of days will depend on your other touring circumstances, but ideally within TiSS you would offer a minimum of 10 days.
Who is an Associated production right for?
You may be keen to tour to schools but would benefit from TiSS knowledge, contacts, or administrative time to arrange school dates.
You may have a funded family/community venue tour planned during the academic year and wish to add some school dates to the tour, or you may have a ‘super-light’ or pop-up performance that doesn’t have a planned tour but could tour to schools with the support of the daily TiSS fee (£350-£500).
We are happy to consider expressions of interest for Associated productions on a rolling basis – please email [email protected].
CONTENTS
- Introduction
- About Theatre in Schools Scotland Tours
- Eligibility
- Description of Remount and Associated production options
- How to Apply, and BSL and Audio Versions
- Dates
- Links and Contacts
- Application Notes
INTRODUCTION
Theatre in Schools Scotland (TiSS) is produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate to support and develop the touring of high-quality theatre and dance performances to Scotland’s schools and nurseries. TiSS presents an annual programme of productions for children and young people created by Scottish performing companies and artists. These productions are designed especially for school halls and classrooms, and can travel anywhere in Scotland.
Our 2026-2027 programme will mark the 10th birthday of Theatre in Schools Scotland!
We are looking forward to celebrating this exciting anniversary, and hope to hear from a wide range of artists and companies interested in being part of the 26-27 programme. Please reach out to us for a conversation if you are not sure whether to apply, or want to let us know generally about upcoming plans to create or adapt productions that could tour to schools.
Theatre in Schools Scotland is currently looking for:
- Applications for Remount productions to tour in the school year September 2026–March 2027
- Expressions of interest for Associated productions to tour at any time (within a school year September-March)
ABOUT THEATRE IN SCHOOLS SCOTLAND TOURS
- TiSS has a commitment to tour to any school, anywhere in Scotland. TiSS visits large, small, urban, and rural schools, and touring often includes long drives, ferry journeys, and early mornings.
- TiSS tours usually visit a different school each day, up to 5 schools in a week. A daily schedule includes a 2-hour morning get in, 2 performances with a lunch break, a 1-2 hour get out, and then travel to the next day’s location. Some weekend travel will be necessary.
- TiSS performances usually take place in the school’s gym hall or main hall, for audiences of up to 120 children at a time.
ELIGIBILITY
All productions must be:
1. Presented by an artist or company based in Scotland.
2. Ideally an existing, finished production which has already been successfully performed for children of the intended age.
We know that many artists and companies are undertaking new projects at the moment and may have work which will be ready for the academic year 26-27 but not finished at the time of this call-out. We may be able to consider work in progress depending on how advanced a stage it is at and whether it has been shared with children yet. Please get in touch for a chat if you are interested in applying with an idea in progress
3. Suitable for performance in school halls or classroom. This generally means a production:
With less than a two-hour load in and out.
That can run off a school’s power supply and from 2 power outlets.
That can be performed on a flat level without a stage or raked seating.
That does not require black-out.
Maximum space available is usually around 10mx10m including the playing space and seating area.
4. Suitable for pupils within our audience of Nursery-Secondary 2 (S2) – ages within 4-14 years. For example, suitable for Nursery-Primary 4 (P4), or suitable for Primary 4-Primary 7 etc.
5. Any productions suitable for S1 and/or S2 must also be suitable for P6 and P7 – for the whole range of ages 10-14 years.
6. Any productions suitable for Nursery must also be suitable for P1 and P2 – for the whole range of ages 4-7 years.
DESCRIPTION OF REMOUNT AND ASSOCIATED PRODUCTION OPTIONS
There are two ways for artists or companies to be part of the programme: as a Remount production or an Associated production.
- A Remount production will receive a fee from TiSS to fund the re-rehearsal and touring period.
- An Associated production is normally already touring and looking to extend their touring dates and will therefore receive a flat daily fee for each school booking.
1. Remount Productions:
Touring within the school year September 2026 - March 2027.
Each year we aim to remount two productions.
TiSS funding covers a period of rehearsal/remount time (up to two weeks) including fees for performers and artistic team.
It also covers all team fees, royalties, and per diems for the touring period.
The average budget that we are able to support for Remounts is:
- Fee for rehearsal and remount of £6000-£8000
- Fee for touring costs of £1500-£2500 per week
TiSS also covers accommodation during the tour and costs of van/car hire and fuel or public transport.
If applying as a Remount production, the application form will prompt you to upload a complete budget (template linked at the end of this document).
TiSS plans, markets, and arranges the tour, and organises the details of each school visit. Schools book directly with TiSS, and TiSS collects payment from each school.
The production will tour across Scotland, usually for a period of 6-8 weeks. This can be a split tour across two academic terms or one long tour period.
Who is a Remount production right for?
You will have a production which you would like to tour to schools across Scotland in the academic year 26-27, and need TiSS funding to support the rehearsal and tour period. You would also benefit from planning, marketing, and booking assistance from TiSS.
2. Associated Productions:
Expressions of interest for touring at any time (within a school year September-March)
For Associated productions the company or artist are usually already fully funded to tour and would like the support of TiSS to add school dates to their tour.
TiSS supports marketing, administration, and booking for these school performances within the production’s broader tour schedule. Alongside the artist or company, the TiSS team work out what dates and areas the production is available for, and TiSS books schools in.
TiSS collects payment from each school which is then paid out as the daily fee to the company or artist. This is the extent of TiSS financial support.
The usual cost to schools per day/daily fee paid to the company by TiSS is:
- £350-£500 for up to 2 x performances reaching up to 240 pupils total
All fees and costs for performers and creative team during rehearsal and performance period, as well as van/car hire, petrol, per diems, royalties, and accommodation are the responsibility of the company or artist.
TiSS tour length/number of days will depend on your other touring circumstances, but ideally within TiSS you would offer a minimum of 10 days.
Who is an Associated production right for?
You may be keen to tour to schools but would benefit from TiSS knowledge, contacts, or administrative time to arrange school dates.
You may have a funded family/community venue tour planned during the academic year and wish to add some school dates to the tour, or you may have a ‘super-light’ or pop-up performance that doesn’t have a planned tour but could tour to schools with the support of the daily TiSS fee (£350-£500).
We are happy to consider expressions of interest for Associated productions on a rolling basis – please email [email protected].
HOW TO APPLY
Please apply using this link: https://nationaltheatreofscotland.submittable.com/submit/327375/theatre-in-schools-scotland-26-27-call-out-for-touring-productions
If you are applying for a Remount Production you will need to download the budget template below and upload when prompted on the application form:
If you are applying for a Remount Production you will need to download the budget template below and upload when prompted on the application form:
| budget_template__for_remounts_.xlsx |
You can download a text version of the questions on the online application form below:
| text_of_online_application_form.docx |
Listen to the TiSS Call Out and How to Apply in two audio files and watch the BSL Call Out below:
Audio files 'Call Out' and 'How to Apply and Application Notes'
Time stamps for ‘Call Out’ audio file
Call out introduction: 00:00
Introduction: 00:22
About Theatre in Schools Scotland Tours: 01:54
Eligibility: 02:47
Description of Remount and Associated production options: 05:03
Remount production: 05:40
Associated production: 07:55
Time stamps for ‘How to Apply & Application Notes’ audio file
How to Apply, and BSL and Audio Versions: 00:00
Dates: 1:10
Links and Contacts: 1:30
Application Notes 2:22
Eligibility: 2:24
What to Include: 3:48
Programming Process: 4:43
If you have any questions, need support completing this application, or would like to apply in another format than the online form, please contact Julian Almeida at [email protected]
Expressions of interest for Associated productions by email to [email protected]
Call out introduction: 00:00
Introduction: 00:22
About Theatre in Schools Scotland Tours: 01:54
Eligibility: 02:47
Description of Remount and Associated production options: 05:03
Remount production: 05:40
Associated production: 07:55
Time stamps for ‘How to Apply & Application Notes’ audio file
How to Apply, and BSL and Audio Versions: 00:00
Dates: 1:10
Links and Contacts: 1:30
Application Notes 2:22
Eligibility: 2:24
What to Include: 3:48
Programming Process: 4:43
If you have any questions, need support completing this application, or would like to apply in another format than the online form, please contact Julian Almeida at [email protected]
Expressions of interest for Associated productions by email to [email protected]
DATES
Application Deadline: 17:00 on Friday 20 June 2025
The panel will meet initially to review applications on Monday 30 June 2025.
The panel will meet initially to review applications on Monday 30 June 2025.
LINKS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
- Application form: https://nationaltheatreofscotland.submittable.com/submit/327375/theatre-in-schools-scotland-26-27-call-out-for-touring-productions
- Remount production budget template: https://www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk/opportunities.html
- Contact for questions and support with application process: Julian Almeida: [email protected] 0131 225 8050 in the first instance or Pamela Walker: [email protected] 0131 225 8050
- Imaginate Values and Commitments: https://www.imaginate.org.uk/about/our-values-and-commitments
- Theatre in Schools Scotland website: www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk
APPLICATION NOTES |
Eligibility
If your production has not yet been performed for children but will be soon, please get in touch with us before applying. The panel will meet initially at the end of June 2025 and may be able to consider work that is due to be performed in July or August 2025 if there is an opportunity to see a performance live or filmed.
We know that many artists and companies are undertaking new projects at the moment and may have work which will be ready for the academic year 26-27 but not finished at the time of this call out. We may be able to consider work in progress depending on how advanced a stage it is at and whether it has been shared with children yet.
Please get in touch for a chat if you are interested in applying with an idea in progress.
A list of previous TISS productions can be found on our website: https://www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk/
What to Include
Programming Process
Theatre in Schools Scotland is a project produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate.
www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk
If your production has not yet been performed for children but will be soon, please get in touch with us before applying. The panel will meet initially at the end of June 2025 and may be able to consider work that is due to be performed in July or August 2025 if there is an opportunity to see a performance live or filmed.
We know that many artists and companies are undertaking new projects at the moment and may have work which will be ready for the academic year 26-27 but not finished at the time of this call out. We may be able to consider work in progress depending on how advanced a stage it is at and whether it has been shared with children yet.
Please get in touch for a chat if you are interested in applying with an idea in progress.
- If you have any questions about whether a production would be suitable, please get in touch with us for a conversation.
A list of previous TISS productions can be found on our website: https://www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk/
- Imaginate is a value-led organisation, and this is integral to all our work. Please review our values and commitments to ensure they align with your own before applying.
What to Include
- Wherever possible please include a full-length film of your production either in performance or rehearsal. You can include partial performance/rehearsal videos if that is all you have. Quality of the filmmaking itself is not important, any film is helpful for the panel to understand the production.
- You can also include a script and/or detailed plot summary, this would be especially helpful if you do not have a full video.
- If you would like to include anything that cannot be attached to the online application please email it to [email protected].
- If there are any opportunities to see a live performance please let us know – you can email [email protected] or include in your application.
Programming Process
- We are committed to working with as varied a group of artists and companies as possible, with a particular focus on underrepresented voices including disabled artists and artists from the global majority.
- The programme will be selected by a panel of representatives from Imaginate and National Theatre of Scotland.
- If you are interested in TiSS but this call-out is not for you, we would also like to support artists and companies to re-develop existing work with TiSS for the school environment. Please contact us at any time for a conversation, via [email protected].
- Members of the panel are always keen to attend sharings or performances of work for children, or work by artists or companies who are interested in making work for children in future. Please let us know of any ongoing opportunities to see your work via [email protected].
Theatre in Schools Scotland is a project produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate.
www.theatreinschoolsscotland.co.uk
