Teachers' Theatre Club is our project with Imaginate to help teachers in Edinburgh and the Lothians experience live performance.

Since 2019, we have worked with 28 teachers from 24 schools across Edinburgh and the Lothians and 16 teachers from 15 schools around the rest of Scotland.

Please note: applications for Teachers' Theatre Club 2023 are now closed. We have kept the following information for reference, and will update this page with information on the next TTC in early 2024.

Members of Teachers' Theatre Club 2023 get to see a variety of live performances in Edinburgh, including at Edinburgh International Children’s Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Selected teachers attend performances, take part in group discussions with some of the artists and creative teams who made and / or presented the work, and meet industry professionals such as programmers and arts critics. These discussions cover the content of the show, how it could enhance and inform teaching practice, and open discussions around different roles in the arts industry.

Teachers' Theatre Club members will have access to post-show discussions with the companies and creatives behind the work, including some of Scotland's key industry professionals such as artists, designers, programmers, critics and production staff. These discussions will enable participants to feel more confident about discussing live performance and sharing opinions, both as individuals and as teachers. 

The group will also discuss how the shows can enhance and inform teaching practice by: 

  • bringing a class to see a theatre or dance performance  
  • incorporating aspects of the discussion into their teaching practice 
  • developing creative activities and tasks around the themes of a performance 

Teachers taking part in the project will benefit from: 

  • free tickets for all performances 
  • the chance to learn through facilitated Q&A sessions with the professionals who made and/or programmed the performances for more in-depth understanding about the performing arts sector and the creation process 
  • sessions counting towards staff CLPL requirements 
  • increased confidence in engaging with live performing arts 
  • a new network of arts professionals, festivals and organisations. 

You can read about previous Teachers’ Theatre Club at imaginate.org.uk

When applying to be a part of TTC, I saw it as interesting CPD. I never thought for a second that it would give me so much more. Over the course of the project I have engaged in discussions with a wide range of professionals in the arts, experienced theatre that I would never have thought to go see myself and discussed how I would use these shows with my pupils. I have laughed, cried, debated and been comfortable in talking about what I have both liked and disliked about performances.  

However, what has taken me by surprise is the camaraderie I have experienced. I didn't expect to leave this project with new friendships and a fantastic group of people that I know I can call upon to go see a show with me. I hope this project runs for many years to come and I urge as many teachers as possible to experience this. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.
 - TTC Year 1 member