Category: Outreach

Creative Communities in Uist and Lewis

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Creative Communities in Uist and Lewis 

Fair Access in the Outer Hebrides

A girl holding an illustration to animate for cameras

Last week Becca Skeoch (WACI Coordinator) and Jesse Paul (Head of Fair Access) paid a visit to creative communities in Uist and Lewis.

On Benbecula, they visited Lionacleit School where S1 pupils were working on a Fair Access project all about Gaelic Culture. This project was a collaboration between Fair Access, the school and Uist Film which gave the students an introduction to animation and storytelling skills.

To get a sense of other creative work on the island, Becca and Jesse were joined by Andy Mackinnon at Taigh Chearsabhagh. They were so excited to witness work in progress from fine art students and to get a sense of place by visiting Hut of the Shadows – a Camera Obscura and of course a walk on the beach before their ferry.

On Lewis, we visited arts education workers at An Lanntair in Stornoway. They were so inspired by the range, depth and extent of the in-house and outreach arts programme they offer. Fair Access are hoping to work on a collaborative interdisciplinary performance project with them in the near future.

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or queries or would like to know how to get involved with WACI, please email: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Come and Try: CLPL Sessions for Teachers

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Come and Try: 

 CLPL Sessions for Teachers 

Wednesday Evenings in May 2024

Two people discussing a script onset A conductor practicing his score with an ensemble Dancer in a studio practicing

WACI are delighted to be offering three new Career-Long Professional Learning (CLPL) sessions for secondary teachers this coming May:

All sessions are free and take place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Aimed primarily at secondary teachers who work in schools with large catchments of SIMD1 areas, you can find out more and sign up by clicking the links above. 

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions about these activities, please email: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Directing Skills for Pupils and Teachers

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Directing Skills Workshop 

For Pupils and their Teachers

Two young women sitting looking at scripts

Fair Access brought together Neil and Linda, both experts in their own fields, to work alongside pupils and teachers exploring directing skills. The session aimed to inspire pupils with the confidence to direct for Higher and Advanced Higher Drama, giving them practical skills to put into action, but also ensuring what they did fitted the SQA marking criteria for directing. It was a brilliant session involving pupils from eight different schools. Here are some comments: 

‘Thank you so much, it was an amazing opportunity and so informative. I now know that I want to be a director for sure!’

Pupil, Paisley Grammar



‘The session was very helpful in relation to SQA marking guidelines for Higher. It was very effective in boosting my own confidence and it was fabulous to see my pupils grow in confidence directing! I feel much more comfortable to present directing candidates.’

Teacher, Levenmouth Academy

 Get in touch 

If you’d like to find out about more opportunities for you and your pupils, contact the team at: fairaccesshello@rc.ac.uk 

Get Into: Performing and Production Arts Update

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Get Into: Performing and Production Arts Update 

Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Production, Singing and Guitar

Two people standing in a darkended room experimenting with lighting

This term, Fair Access has been running a fantastic programme of ‘Get Into’ courses designed as pathways towards further training in higher education.

Forty-five young people from across Scotland attend weekly workshops to develop their skills and confidence in either Production Arts and Technology, Guitar, Musical Theatre or Filmmaking (which focuses on either Script Writing or Post-production Sound).

Young woman showing a prop

We are especially delighted to be working in partnership with Eden Court Theatre in Inverness to host a further ‘Get Into: Production’ course, which focuses on prop making and includes a work experience placement at RCS.

Courses are led by RCS tutors and freelance artists, many of whom are RCS alumni, now working professionally. In January we are excited to offer ‘Get Into: Singing’ as part of this programme. 

 Want to know more about our ‘Get Into’ programmes? 

Look out for more Get Into programmes that you can sign up for next Spring. If you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Masterclass for Schools: Directing

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Masterclass for Schools: 

 Directing 

Wednesday 11 October, 9:30am – 1pm

Two young men sitting on a studio floor, holding paper to read from

Do you teach pupils who have been chosen to be assessed as Directors for Higher or Advanced Higher Drama? Then our Masterclass for Schools: Directing is for you.

This workshop aims to help your young people achieve as highly as possible in their practical directing, in relation to the SQA Marking Criteria. Your pupils will be supported to get up on their feet and share ways to bring text to life. 

Come along with your Directing candidates and let’s pool our resources to give them the best opportunities for success. 

When: Wednesday 11 October, 9:30am – 1pm
Where: RCS, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Who is it for: Teachers of Drama and their pupils

* Applications now closed *

This workshop will be led by Linda Duncan McLaughlin (Director) and Neil Millar (Education Scotland) and is in partnership with Glasgow CREATE.

‘This was such an enjoyable and insightful session in how I might approach directing.’

‘It was valuable to see the process that a director goes through in the rehearsal room and processes you can take an actor through.’

Note: Fair Access is funded to support young people who face the greatest barriers in accessing the arts. Teachers are welcome to book up to four of your directing students onto this session who meet the following criteria:

  • living in a SIMD20 postcode and/or
  • care experienced or estranged and/or
  • identifying as Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (living at a SIMD20 or 40 postcode).

You can check your postcode here or the team can check it for you.

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or any issues with filling out the form, please get in touch at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Get Into: Performing and Production Arts

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Get Into: Performing and Production Arts 

Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Production, Singing or Guitar

For ages 15+ Starting Autumn 2023

Young woman making stage props and words 'Get Into Performing and Production Arts'

Would you like to Get Into: Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Guitar, Singing or Production Arts & Technology? Not sure where to begin? Our free ‘Get Into’ courses could be the perfect answer. 

We’re running five separate programmes in these artforms starting Autumn 2023.

These free weekly sessions will be a great opportunity to:

  • Build your confidence
  • Develop your skills in your chosen artform
  • Meet others who love the same thing as you

Bring your energy, enthusiasm and commitment! 

*BOOKING NOW CLOSED*

Please note: Fair Access will prioritise those facing barriers to accessing the arts such as those:

Get in touch and we can check your postcode for you. 

 Get In Touch 

If you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Performance Making Taster Workshops

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 PERFORMANCE MAKING WORKSHOPS 

at the Traverse in Edinburgh and RCS in Glasgow

Two young people standingwith their back to each other, touching with a foot

In partnership with Dr Vania Gala, Head of the new Performance Making BA, Fair Access has been running taster workshops at the Traverse Theatre and at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 

At both venues, we had a brilliant turnout of creative people, willing to move, collaborate and explore new ways of working together:


‘I loved being creative, moving and the energy in the room’ 


 ‘It felt so good to move’ 


 ‘I enjoyed the positive way we connected to each other and to our own bodies, and thinking about movement in a different way…I had a lot of fun!’ 


 ‘Learning that there are resources out there that encourage new theatre being created was so useful’ 


 Our session at RCS was run in partnership with Scottish Youth Theatre and Creative Director Rikki Payne brought a group of young artists from Dunoon to take part and also couldn’t resist joining in himself! The session was co-led by Lucy Cash who teaches on the new degree programme.

Get Into: Production (Inverness)

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Get Into: Production (Inverness) 

RCS & Fair Access at Eden Court Theatre

Man with long hair standing on a stage in an empty theatre 
‘Get Into: Production’ at Eden Court recently saw 30 young people try their hand at Lighting, Sound and Set and Costume Design. Working in performance spaces all over the theatre, led by RCS Production staff and the brilliant technical staff from Eden Court, those attending found out about careers they never knew existed and how Fair Access can create training pathways towards these careers. This is a great partnership with Eden Court which we hope to develop to reach more young people in the Highlands and Islands. 


 ‘Thanks for putting on such a fantastic workshop. My pupils absolutely loved it and we really hope that you come back!’ Catriona Rutherford Inverness Royal Academy 
 


 ‘A really super day for all and a nice variety of interests and favourite workshops. A real success!’ Morag Russell, Engagement Programme Coordinator Eden Court 
 

 Apply Now 

If you are interested in getting involved in production, register now for WACI, to gain access to a host of free workshops, short courses, performance trips and help in applying to FE/HE courses or apply for Transitions if you are intersted in studying Production at RCS and gain access to a suite of learning and support in getting you ready. What are you waiting for?

 Contact Us 

If you’d like to learn more about our ‘Get Into’ series’, contact: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

So You Want To Be A Music Teacher?

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 So You Want To Be A Music Teacher? 

Open Evening for Young People and Info Sessions for Teachers

Young woman pointing to sheet music next to a student saying 'So you want to be a music teachers'?

Fair Access is excited to announce two new sessions for those looking for more information about the training that is available to those interested in music teaching:

BEd (Music) Online Open Evening for Young People

Where: Online
When: Tue 28 March
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Want to find out what it would be like to study music teaching? This online open evening is a great opportunity to:

  • find out about our BEd (Music) programme from the people who teach it
  • interact with other young people interested in music
  • meet some of the current students and ask them all your questions
  • find out how Fair Access can support you in applying and studying at RCS

BEd (Music) In-Person Information Session for Music teachers

Where: City Halls, Glasgow
When: Mon 22 May
Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Join us as Mairi Warren, Music teacher and lecturer on the BEd programme, talks about how RCS and Fair Access build the music teachers of tomorrow! In this session you can hear about:

  • what your pupils can be doing now to get ready to apply
  • how Fair Access can support eligible pupils via our free Bridging Programme
  • hear from current students on the BEd

* Applications now closed *

 Get In Touch 

If you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

48-Hour Visual Storytelling Challenge

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 48-Hour Visual Storytelling Challenge 

Fair Access x Beacon Arts Centre x Megahertz Theatre Company

Two people in darkened room with light behind them creating large shadows on a wall

We were delighted to partner with the Beacon Arts Centre for the 48-Hour Visual Storytelling project, delivered by RCS and Megahertz Theatre Company. 

The weekend was aimed at young people from across Inverclyde. The group of young people who joined us were imaginative, creative and very brave. What they achieved in a short time was impressive and a testament to their artistic ability as well as the skills of Megahertz who worked with them.

Young woman wearing a costume

Megahertz brings a unique skill set, vision and creative process, which is the sum of the many parts of the company. The company is comprised of artists with different specialisms, and this meant the learning experience for participating young people was particularly rich. So, over the weekend we improvised, devised, explored lighting and shadow work, built incredible costumes and characters and created images suitable for a movie poster, which were then shot using the Beacon as a set. Themes included sci fi, gothic, alien life, horror and post apolcalyptic scenarios! Here are some comments showing what people enjoyed:

“I enjoyed creating our own character for the photoshoot. It was so unique, personalised and interesting!”

“I learned how to world-build with single images/movements”

“I enjoyed developing a costume and character together – this wasn’t like normal drama where you get given a character and then decide what they wear. It was interesting to develop a character around costume”

“I liked meeting new people and doing stuff I never thought I’d be comfortable doing.”

We loved working at the Beacon, which was really inspiring and exciting! The staff were great and helped Megahertz to shoot photographs in a range of atmospheric locations not accessible to the public. This included basement corridors, control rooms full of switches and by the huge loading dock doors.

Get In Touch!

If you’d like to find out more about how Fair Access can help you, get in touch by our email at: fairaccesshello@rca.ac.uk