Care Experienced Theatre Ensemble
Scotland's first care experienced theatre ensemble for young adults
In 2023, the WAC project has evolved into something that reflects a continued commitment to young people with care experience. WAC Pro is a new project, developed by the Citizens Theatre, GMAC Film and Arts in the City, to work alongside ten WAC Ensemble members. The culmination will be 5 pieces of theatre and 5 short films being produced and showcased between Autumn 2023 and Summer 2024.
Since its creation in 2019, the multi-award winning WAC Ensemble has provided a unique and exciting programme of training and performance opportunities. The group have created theatre productions, short films and radio plays. It is a positive, supportive and empowering creative space to explore and learn about all aspects of professional theatre-making.
Over the years, the project has evolved to continue supporting members who have aged out of the original parameters of the project, with a firm commitment to continuous professional development. We are currently exploring the future of our work with care experienced young people.
Recent projects
The Ensemble have recently won awards for their work including the 'Writers' Guild Best Play for Young Audiences Award 2022' for the play Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles and the 'Marginalised UK - Women and Girls’ and ‘Best Actor’ awards at the 2022 Big Syn Film Fest for their short film Found.
A collaboration with Urbancroft Films to create a short film which was written by Ensemble member Allan Othieno and directed by Ensemble member Natalie Rochacelli. The film won the 'Marginalised UK - Women and Girls’ and ‘Best Actor’ awards at the 2022 Big Syn Film Fest.
Collaborating with Glasgow Building Preservation Trust as part of their My Historic Neighbourhood project, members of the ensemble have starred in a short film about The Barras, directed by David Hayman Jr, produced in partnership with Witsherface.
A dystopian thriller about a group of aspiring actors trapped in a dark social experiment written by playwright Martin Travers and WAC member Chloe Wyper. This production took place at Princes House 20 Apr 2022 - 23 Apr 2022.
Inspired by their shared love of scary films, the company decided to create their own horror story for radio. Cupid, Draw Back Your Bow is a terrifying tale about a camping trip gone hellishly wrong.
Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles?
The Ensemble's debut performance was the critically acclaimed and award winning (Writers' Guild Best Play for Young Audiences Award 2022) punk play Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles? by Martin Travers in February 2020. It won Best Play for Young Audiences at the prestigious 2022 Writers’ Guild Awards.
Interested in hearing more?
If you are 18 to 26 years old, interested in acting/performance, and have Care Experience, please get in touch to hear more.
Please contact Jack Tully (Community Drama Worker) if you are interested in finding out more about the project: jack.tully@citz.co.uk
We define care experience as having been cared for as a child or young person in kinship care (by friends or family), foster care, residential care or secure care for any period of time (e.g. it might have been a few months or a number of years).
Photo Galleries
Blogs
"Being care experienced doesn’t really matter here. It’s about the theatre. We just happen to be a group of people who are care experienced."
Blog post with Ensemble member, Chloe
It's not only about preparing to take to the stage: the Ensemble has been learning more about what goes on at a theatre committed to creating meaningful experiences for all, and what goes into getting a show on stage.
The WAC Ensemble journey so far
Supported by
This project is currently supported by National Lottery through Creative Scotland in partnership with Arts In The City
The project was originally developed in close partnership with CELSIS (the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland) with support from Life Changes Trust.