Frequently Asked Questions
Do Travelling Light have Associate Artists?
Travelling Light do not have a pool of associate artists however we do offer care, support and professional development opportunities to all the artists, creatives and assistants who work with us.
Can Travelling Light promote my event/show/etc?
Travelling Light currently receive a large number of requests to promote or share news, events and opportunities among our networks.
We do our best to support artists and creative activists doing excellent work for and with young people but due to the volume of requests, and the nature of our audience, we are unable to share everyone’s news items and as a rule will only share requested items which fulfil at least one of the following objectives:
Does your news…
- Provide a platform or opportunity for young voices
- Offer a creative participatory experiences for young people, particularly those in Bristol.
- Support the TYA professional sector, e.g. vacancies at relevant theatres or casting opportunities
- Celebrate the achievements of Travelling Light’s youth theatre alumni
Travelling Light may share news of performances or creative events on occasion, but we cannot advocate, promote or comment on the quality of work we are unfamiliar with.
If you do have news to share please email Gwen@travellinglighttheatre.org.uk.
How do Travelling Light work with writers?
Travelling Light are a devising company and work with writers and dramaturgs to create a script collaboratively in the rehearsal room. Our starting point might be a word or phrase, a book or a folk tale but never a script. Please do not approach us with script pitches, as we cannot help you to develop these.
How can I find out about opportunities to work with Travelling Light?
All of our open castings, staff vacancies and facilitator roles are displayed on the Jobs and Opportunities page of our website, Arts Jobs, Disability Arts Online and Theatre Bristol, amongst other listing sites. We are always looking for volunteers to support our work within participation and production projects. Visit our Volunteer page to find out more.
If you are an artist who would like to create with us please invite Travelling Light to see your work, giving plenty of notice, and we will do our best to attend.
The participation team also run annual facilitator training opportunities with Tobacco Factory Theatres as a chance to get to know the companies and expand your skills as a facilitator. Dates for the next Facilitator training will be announced on our jobs and opportunities page.
How is the Travelling Light Professional Programme chosen?
Shows considered for the professional programme come to Travelling Light’s attention in a variety of ways, including: our R and D programme, scratch nights, festival performances, artist pitches and conversations with audiences and community/cultural partners.
Artistic Producer Heidi Vaughan creates a case for support for the chosen programme which is presented to our Artistic Subcommittee of Board Members, artists and young people. The subcommittee then make a recommendation to The Board of Trustees who agree Travelling Light’s final programme.
I’m working on an academic paper and it would be useful to see how you work with young people can I observe a session?
Each Youth Theatre group has its own individual needs and we do not have the capacity to brief and support visitors who will be attending on a one off basis. We prioritise creating a warm and inclusive safe space for the young people in our care and find that those interested in our creative practice gain more from the sessions if they are taking part as a volunteer.
Our participation volunteers are supported by termly catch ups, training, briefing sessions and 1-1 meetings with participation core staff. Find out more about volunteering here.
We are working on a set of Academic FAQs for those in higher education. Please check this page for updates.
I’m working on a new show/project/engagement opportunity with children and young people, can I trial it with members of your youth theatre?
We do not accept one-off requests for workshops promoting other opportunities or as part of an R+D within youth theatre hours. Our Youth Theatre has a set programme, and projects are planned months or years in advance. Themes and content of projects is largely led by participants themselves, with the support of professional creative teams.
We sometimes share opportunities to attend additional scratch performances/ engagement opportunities with our young people and their families, though we cannot guarantee participants’ attendance. Any additional opportunities should be sent to us with as much notice as possible for better chances of participation.
Can't find the answer to your question? Contact us and we'll do our best to help.