Theatre

Find out how the Theatre Team supports the sector and develops new opportunities.

The Theatre team at Creative Scotland has three main areas of work.

  • Project Funding Support
    We offer advice for applicants applying to the Open Fund (individuals and organisations) and other targeted funds such as the Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance or  Made In Scotland. We assess applications, chair and sit on decision making panels. We offer feedback on unsuccessful applications, and monitor funded projects through reporting mechanisms. We also work with wider Creative Scotland teams to help assess or provide comment on applications that have a performance or theatre element.
  • Regularly Funded Organisations
    We each act as lead point of contact for several RFOs. The individual relationships held by each officer differ, but we monitor reporting throughout each year and provide advice and development support on priority areas such as their programmes of work, how they support the sector and infrastructure, sustainable development, fair work and EDI.
  • Sector development
    We work with a wide range of partner organisations to deliver specific projects and targeted funding that aims to support and develop opportunities for those working in the performing arts in Scotland. We seek to strengthen international connections, contribute to research, and improve conditions for the sector as a whole.

Theatre Team

  • Laura Mackenzie-Stuart – Head of Theatre
  • Lorna Duguid – Multi-Artform Manager (Multi art form programming, Scottish Government EXPO Fund, Platforms for Creative Excellence Fund
  • Jaine Lumsden – Theatre Officer (specialises in physical theatre, circus and outdoor performance, independent producers), trained Liz Lerman Critical Response Process facilitator
  • Femi Folorunso – Theatre Officer
  • Vanessa Boyd – Interdisciplinary Performance Officer (specialises in live art and contemporary performance)
  • Melanie Purdie – Theatre Officer

Organisations working in Theatre

Below are some of the organisations with whom we work on targeted funds or projects, or whose role is to offer theatre sector development and guidance:

Relevant funds

Theatre artists and organisations can be supported by a number of funds at Creative Scotland. This includes:

Open Funding

  • Open Fund for Individuals - This fund can support support freelance and self-employed artists and creative practitioners living in Scotland. This might include performers, playwrights and producers working on research, development or the production of theatre projects.
  • National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations - This fund can support organisations such as venues, companies, festivals or networks to deliver activity, develop audiences and partnerships, and help sustain their work and opportunities.
  • National Lottery Extended Programme Fund - a new time-limited funding opportunity for arts and cultural organisations launched in February 2023. The fund aims to create the opportunity for non-profit organisations to get longer term support than is currently available through the National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations.

Targeted Funding

Key resources

Below are some resources and links you might find useful if you work in the theatre and performing arts sectors in Scotland.

  • The Illustrated Freelancers Guide is a practical resource for the increasing number of artists, makers, writers and other creatives working in freelance Scotland today.
  • Culture Counts is a network of arts, heritage and creative industries organisations that advocate for the development and protection of culture, with a dense library of resources and research.
  • Creative Carbon Scotland combines strategic expertise and consultancy to offer training, guidance and programmes of work to develop better understanding of environment sustainability and support of artistic practices that address climate change.
  • Our Rates of Pay Guidance gathers together key sources of guidance on industry standards, union rates and codes of practice from key lead bodies.
  • Access Scottish Theatre provides information about accessible performances at theatres across Scotland.
  • Euan’s Guide is a disabled access review site where disabled people, their families, friends and carers can find and share the accessibility of venues around the UK and beyond.
  • The Performing Artist’s Audience Workbook is a publication for those working in theatre and dance to help encourage artists to think more about potential audiences, and explore the value their work brings to those who experience it.

Get in touch

We’re very happy to talk to you about projects that might be eligible for support.

If you’ve never applied before, get in touch to talk about your ideas and ask any questions. We might be able to give examples that make the criteria clearer or tell you more about how a particular fund works.

Get in touch by visiting our Contact Us page. The Theatre team is happy to meet over the phone, video call or in person. Explore the team member list to find out who’s who.