Visual and Kids Theatre Callouts
Two big opportunities open for kids and visual theatre.
Two big professional theatre opportunities are open with deadlines in July. There is a callout for new work from Theatre in Schools Scotland and Manipulate Arts have a visual theatre commission for the 2028 Festival, among other opportunities.
TiSS is looking for professional Scotland-based companies who have productions for children and young people to be part of its programme in 2027-28 and beyond.
The Manipulate commission and opportunities are open to professional artists based in Scotland, creating contemporary puppetry or visual theatre (including object theatre, mime, clown, circus or physical theatre).
Theatre in Schools
Theatre in Schools Scotland (TISS) is produced by the National Theatre of Scotland and Imaginate to support and develop the touring of high-quality theatre and dance performances to Scotland’s schools and nurseries. TISS presents an annual programme of productions for children and young people created by Scottish performing companies and artists. These productions are designed especially for school halls and classrooms, and can travel anywhere in Scotland.
TISS has put out an open call for future work for the TISS programme. They are looking for work as part of the 2027-2028 programme, but also want to hear about ideas, works in progress, and shows that may be ready to tour further in the future.
There is no formal closing date. However, deadline for consideration for the TISS 2027-2028 programme is 20 July 2026. For full details and a form to make an application please click on this link.
TISS say: “We are looking for ideas from people who believe children and young people deserve access to high quality, exciting theatre and dance performances. We are interested in performance ideas that centre children and who they are; artistic ideas rather than educational aims.
“We want to see a wide range of artists making theatre and dance for children and young people, artists who explore different ideas, stories and styles that are relevant to and reflective of children in Scotland. We are particularly interested in supporting artists, ideas and audiences that are currently under-represented in the young audiences sector in Scotland.”
Visual Theatre
Manipulate Arts has three distinct opportunities.
- An international visual theatre residency at Cove Park in February 2027 (deadline Wednesday 15 July, noon);
- A visual theatre commission for Manipulate Festival 2027 (deadline Wednesday 15 July, noon);
- and a call out for works in progress for Undercurrents, taking place from 11-14 Feb 2027 at venues across Edinburgh (deadline Friday 31 July 2026).
International Visual Theatre Residency, Cove Park – February 2027
Manipulate Arts in partnership with residency centre Cove Park, along with three international festivals (Go Figure, Oslo; TIP-Fest, Turku and Arrivano dal Mare, Ravenna), is hosting an International Visual Theatre Residency in February 2027. The residency aims to offer deep mid-stage development on Scottish visual theatre projects, in recognition of the need for longer development timelines for devised work. Manipulate aim to grow quality and ambition in visual theatre practice, and will support three Scottish and three international companies to develop works in parallel and engage in creative exchange.
Details and how to apply:
For full details about the opportunity: please follow this link.
To express an interest: Application Form here.
Deadline to express an interest: Wednesday 15 July at 12noon.
Manipulate Festival 2028 – Visual Theatre Commission
The inaugural Manipulate Festival Visual Theatre Commission, supported through Creative Scotland’s expanded Festivals Fund. The commission is open to professional artists based in Scotland, creating contemporary puppetry or visual theatre (including object theatre, mime, clown, circus or physical theatre).
The opportunity is offered in association with Capital Theatres and will include a cash budget, creative mentorship, marketing, production support, rehearsal space, a residency at Cove Park, training opportunities, and a presentation opportunity at Manipulate Festival’s 20th anniversary edition in 2028.
Details and how to apply:
For full details about the opportunity: please follow this link.
To express an interest: Application Form here.
Deadline to express an interest: Manipulate are now inviting expressions of interest. The closing date for expressions of interest is: Wednesday 15 July at 12 noon. Following this manipulate will invite up to 5 artists/companies to make a full application by 26th August.
Undercurrents – Call Out for Works-in-Progress
Undercurrents will take place from 11-14 February, 2027 at venues across Edinburgh. Much of the programme is already taking shape, but Manipulate have a few remaining opportunities for Scottish artists to test ideas and share work at Undercurrents 2027, from 10 minutes to a full-length preview.
For full details about the opportunity, and to apply, please follow this link.
Deadline: Friday 31st July 2026
ENDS
