Empowering & Amplifying Voices through Theatre
At the Root Theatre is a youth arts organisation based in West Lothian. We provide drama, film and music opportunities for children, young people and adults living in the Lothians.
We create spaces that amplify, celebrate and empower different communities, people and places through theatre, music and film. We aim to deliver high quality, accessible and equitable arts programmes to build confidence, ambition, and to develop creative and social skills in fun, joyful and nurturing spaces.
We believe in creating positive, joyful and nurturing spaces for children and young people to engage with creative activities. Through creating welcome, friendly and approachable spaces, we aim for our participants to grow in confidence and self-belief, to make new friends, and develop creative and social skills.
Every group is different, just as every individual child and young person is different. We offer a bespoke creative arts programme where we are reactive to the communities we are working in and respond to the interests and needs of the participants in the group. We truly believe in putting children and young people at the centre of our work.
What We Do
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Weekly Workshops. Our weekly workshop programme for 3-18 year olds runs throughout West Lothian during school term time. Our workshops aim to create opportunities for children and young people to boost their confidence, develop skills and make new friends.
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Arts in Education. We run different workshop programmes in nurseries and schools that explore different topical themes such as anti-bullying and online safety. We also provide CPD opportunities for practitioners and educators.
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Projects. We run different projects in the community such as Mind Yer Drama, Drama for Confidence and Masterclasses in Comedy & Improv. These projects run for a certain number of weeks or are one offs to engage more children and young people in theatre and performance.
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Supporting Early Career Artists. We aim to support early career artists and facilitators in lots of different ways including networking opportunities, paid roles, and hosting college and university placements. If you are an early career artist, get in touch by emailing matthew@attheroottheatre.com.
Fun & Engaging Workshops
We are known for our fun, creative and engaging workshops for children and young people aged 3-18.
Through our workshop programme we want to celebrate and champion local people, stories and spaces by bringing drama to their doorstep and increasing the geographic accessibility to the arts in West Lothian. Many of our drama groups are placed in small towns and villages like Dechmont, Fauldhouse and Kirknewton to promote the accessibility of the arts throughout the county.
We want to nurture creativity in children and young people by facilitating positive and safe spaces for them to grow in confidence and self-belief. Drama is an excellent way to develop skills, confidence and self-esteem.
You can sign up for a free trial at any of our venues in West Lothian. If you have any questions before booking email info@attheroottheatre.com.
Arts in Education
We have an Arts in Education programme that we are launching in schools in the Lothians, with a focus on anti-bullying and online safety.
Our popular nursery and school workshop programme is available to book in 2023/24. Workshops include:
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Online Safety
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Anti-Bullying
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Feelings & Emotions
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Celebrate Each Other
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General Drama Taster
Our arts in education programme provides age appropriate workshops for children and young people. We believe in tailoring workshops to suit class size, needs and interests.
We can also provide continuing professional development opportunities for teachers in drama. These can be delivered in any of the above programmes.
Projects
Not every child or family can come on a weekly basis, so we find it important to provide alternative ways to engage with our creative activities.
We have a variety of different short programmes, one off activities and holiday projects that we provide throughout West Lothian. Our projects aim to be accessible, equitable and fun.
Our fun, creative and engaging holiday programmes include Drama Camps, Play in a Day, Drama Olympics and much more. Our workshop spaces are safe, engaging and entertaining for your child or young person to take part in during school holidays.
We also provide short programmes in community spaces throughout the year. These short programmes include: online safety, anti-bullying, drama for confidence, mind yer drama and calma drama.
Keep up to date with our projects by following our social media or visiting the website.
In Numbers
8
years of being an established youth theatre in West Lothian.
167
regular participants to our weekly workshop groups.
7
days a week we run our weekly workshop programme.
1000+
children and young people engaged in At the Root Theatre workshops last year (2022).
What People Say
