News

It’s been 25 years since Bruce Gladwin took over as artistic director at Back to Back Theatre, based in Geelong, Australia. The company, known for its full-time ensemble of intellectually disabled actors, is recognised for making some of the bravest, cheekiest, most inclusive, radical and politically charged devised work. Their plays challenge and entertain audiences in equal measure. Imaginate invited Gladwin to lead a Devising Theatre workshop in December 2023 in Edinburgh. I had the pleasure of talking with him about directing, the importance of free association, treasuring inaccurate memories, Back to Back’s new show and the merits of long improvisation.

Niroshini Thambar reflects on her residency at Oaklands School with Sanjay Lago and Liam Rees, focused on on making music and sound through play and experimentation.

Jack Hunter reflects on his residency at Oaklands School with Greg Sinclair, Marie-Gabrielle Koumenda and Ink Asher Hemp.

Kirstin Abraham reflects on her experience of working with Myrthe Helms and Andre Anderson to create a sensory winter residency at Oaklands School in December 2023.

Greg Sinclair reflects on their time working on the Oakland's School Residency project in 2023!

Imaginate is delighted to announce it has received a Young Start award from The National Lottery Community Fund which will fund the development of Creative Encounters. Pupils from our partner Forthview Primary School share more about the project in this blog.

As part of the Festival City Stories project, illustrator Daisy Whittle has designed a lovely poster illustrating a quote from a teacher who took part in Imaginate's Immerse project.

We were sad to hear of the passing earlier this week, of the original founder of the Children's Festival, Duncan Low, at his home in Oak Bay, British Columbia (Canada).

Imaginate has commissioned a new exciting circus show for children by SUPERFAN, in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts. So Far So Good is an adventurous new contemporary circus show for 3-6 year olds exploring flying, falling, steep places, precipices and the sharp rocks you come across on the way up.

Sian MacGregor talks about what she has been doing over the last two years of her PhD on Valuing Young Audiences.

We are excited to be delivering Punchdrunk Enrichment's newest project The Wishing Cupboard in 2024, which is open for booking now! Read more about Punchdrunk Enrichment's immersive learning programme in this blog.

Lou Brodie (Imaginate's Creative Project Facilitator) introduces our new Creative Encounters committees from Forthview Primary School and Pilton Youth & Children's Project

A quick blog by our Doctoral Researcher, Sian, who is undertaking PhD research with Imaginate. "Play is interwoven in all aspects of the theatre and dance works I witness and enjoy. In fact, when focusing on young audiences, play is prioritised and important, much more so than in work for adults."

Imaginate are thrilled to have been awarded the Silver Charter with LGBT Youth Scotland!