Heughligans Supporting Youth Theatre Arts Scotland

Youth Theatre Arts Scotland (YTAS) is Scotland’s national development organization for youth theatre and works to make young people’s lives better through the creativity and community of youth theatre arts.

YTAS supports and develops a sector that engages thousands of young people every week, by providing a membership network, national and international youth theatre projects, festivals, and events, as well as workforce training and professional development.

YTAS’s vision is for there to be universal access to quality youth theatre activity across Scotland, and for there to be universal recognition of its transformative impact on lives and careers.

The charity is based remotely and works throughout Scotland. Sam Heughan has been their proud patron since 2013. He says: "Youth theatre is for everyone; it’s about a community, it’s about being supported by your peer group. You learn skills – not just acting but all the other sides needed for working in TV, film, and the theatre industry. I’d like to instill the belief that if you join a youth theatre, it’s a gateway to greater career prospects. I know if we get young people involved in the sector, it’s going to pay dividends in the future."

As part of their work, YTAS delivers exciting youth theatre projects, including the National Festival of Youth Theatre, the National Convention of Youth Drama, the youth theatre Directors’ Development Programme, and Emergence, which takes place at the Traverse Theatre - on the very stage where Sam started his professional career!