Join us as we celebrate our engagement and participation programmes as well as our partnerships which occur throughout the year.
Here at Pitlochry Festival Theatre we do more than just engage audiences at our shows. We also engage audiences through our fantastic engagement groups and partnership programmes.
These programmes bring together local creatives, young people, and artists and give them opportunities to make, play and perform together throughout the year.
Read on to learn more about what we do with the local community to engage our audiences away from our Auditorium stage.
Drama Club
Our Drama Club is a brilliant opportunity for young people to attend free sessions every week at Pitlochry High School.
We love seeing our Drama Club participants really come into their own at these sessions and it is fantastic seeing these young children express themselves through the means of performance and working together.
Early Stages
Every Friday, we welcome babies and toddlers from the community to the Theatre for mornings of play and fun.
This community activity brings together new parents and other caregivers in a safe space for little ones to make art, sing, dance, and play together.
The sessions are led by professional musician and music educator, Colleen Nicoll.
More information here:
Show Choir
People from across the area come together every week to sing their hearts out to show tunes and we absolutely love hearing their fantastic voices singing our favourite show tune numbers.
Interested in joining? No auditions, just the opportunity to sing the songs you love and hear them come to life as you join forces with other like-minded singers.
COMING SOON: an opportunity to join a Community Chorus to perform in our upcoming summer performance of Dido and Aeneas…keep your eyes peeled for more information on our socials and website.
Writers Room
We work with writers all year round and we love to welcome them to our Writers Room in person and online too.
We are running a series of online writing sessions for writers looking for a collective space to write, exchange ideas, and be inspired. These sessions run from 11.30am to 4pm, and you can drop in and out of the session to check in with others throughout the day.
Our next series of online sessions will happen on 13 March, 17 April, and 15 May.
Common Ground
Common Ground is our partnership with four local primary schools: Breadalbane Academy, Logierait Primary School, Royal Dunkeld, and Kenmore School. We are also partnering with Highland Perthshire Plus and Aberfeldy Plus who support young people and adults with additional support needs and disabilities.
During these sessions, we deliver arts activities and drama-based workshops in the schools to build confidence and self-esteem, especially for those transitioning to high school, bringing theatre to them and them to the theatre.
It is a huge privilege to witness these children learn and develop through the workshops, and none of it would be possible without the support of the SSE Renewables’ Griffin and Calliachar Community Fund, as well as Perth and Kinross Council.
Cloud Man by Constellation Points/Ailie Cohen and Lewis Hetherington, presented by Scottish Theatre Producers
Theatres in Schools Scotland produced by Imaginate and the National Theatre of Scotland, brings inspiring live theatre and dance productions, made specially for children and young people, into schools and nurseries. The programme is available for schools to book anywhere in Scotland.
Artist Development
We offer lots of opportunities for artistic expression at the Theatre all year round.
The Maggie Wall By Martin McCormick
Directed by Amy Liptrott
Sound Design & Composer – Matthew Tomlinson
Lighting Design – Adam Bowers
Set and Costume Design – Amy Liptrott
Starring Blythe Jandoo
Co-produced with Aberdeen Arts Centre
Make and Play
Free summer play sessions for 0 – 12 year olds in the school holidays. Bring your children for a 2 hour session full of fun and play!
An opportunity for children to join in lots of brilliant activities and get involved in messy play, crafting, arts activities, fun and games. These sessions will encourage socialising and confidence building. Each one will be different and might feature making, painting, board games, treasure hunts and much more.
Whilst the children play, you can enjoy a hot drink and snacks from our café bar. We ask parents/guardians to stay on the premises whilst their children are in the session.
Clothes for messy play recommended🎨