Queer Young Creatives
Sanctuary Queer Arts and Scissor Kick are looking for a select group of young, queer creatives (aged 16-25), based in Scotland, who are ready to dive deep into a professional development opportunity looking at theatre-making from a series of perspectives!
This project offers behind-the-scenes access to the industry and an opportunity to work directly with the creative decision-makers.
Here’s what you get:
See the work first:
Attend a special industry sharing of One Life Only—a brand new piece of queer musical theatre by Colin Ross Waterson
Receive tickets to the press performance of Jackals written and performed by Becca Robin Dunn and Claire Macallister
Attend an open rehearsal for Walking on Eggshells written and performed by Emma Lynne Harley with the chance to then join the team for one of their performances at Summerhall or Paisley Arts Centre
Exclusive One Life Only Workshop Access: Join Sanctuary Co-Director Fraser MacLeod and Scissor Kick Artistic Director Stephanie Hunter for a pre-sharing workshop. You’ll be introduced to the core themes of new work and learn to formulate the critical questions that drive great art.
1-to-1 Mentorship (Sanctuary/Scissor Kick Surgery): This is a dedicated 1-to-1 session just for you. Meet with the Sanctuary Queer Arts Co-Directors and Scissor Kick Producer to:
Pitch an idea and get direct feedback.
Ask anything about the industry, funding, and creative development programmes.
Unpack your learning and build your personal understanding of how theatre gets made.
Surgeries scheduled between March-May 2026
Build Your Network: Become part of an initial cohort of like-minded young artists connected through the experience of developing One Life Only.
Hands-On Experience: Gain a clear understanding of the full creative, development, and production process by engaging with work at every stage.
ONE LIFE ONLY
Upon falling asleep, avid gamer Enbee faces two enlightened beings who extend an invitation to enter the game of a lifetime. In an alternate dimension, where dearly departed loved ones are on hand to talk about a range of taboo subjects (suicide, overdosing, abandonment, gender exploration, and grief), Enbee embodies the perspectives of their loved and lost family members. Through the course of the game - or is it just one night’s sleep? - Enbee decides that it’s now or never to grasp life in both hands to avoid the ultimate game over.
JACKALS
A HISSYFIT and Scissor Kick production, written by Becca Robin Dunn and Claire Macallister
On a sunny afternoon in Vienna, Emma Eckstein went to see a doctor. You won’t have heard of her. But the doctor’s name was Sigmund Freud.
Based on astounding true events, Jackals is a contemporary retelling of the bewildering professional relationship between a young, ambitious woman and her fledgling doctor with a point to prove. In paying our respects to a woman sacrificed at the altar of male genius, Jackals vividly reimagines the most chilling scandal in the history of psychoanalysis.
WALKING ON EGGSHELLS
A Siren Theatre Company and Scissor Kick production, written by Emma Lynne Harley
Walking on Eggshells is the autobiographical crack at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder you won’t see coming. Britney Spears meets neuroscience, eggs, sci-fi, cabaret and theoretical physics to ask: What does it mean to truly “move on” after the end of an abusive relationship? And do YOU believe in life after love? Walking on Eggshells is a theatrical celebration of survival and a humorous insight into living and navigating relationships with Complex PTSD.
All performances are relaxed and include integrated captioning.
KEY DATES:
Application Deadline: Monday 9th February, 10.00am
One Night Only: Thursday 19th February 2026, 12.30pm (workshop) 3.00pm (sharing) @ Paisley Arts Centre
Jackals: Thursday 23rd April 2026, 7.30pm @ Paisley Arts Centre
Walking on Eggshells: Friday 22nd May 2026, 7.00pm @ Paisley Arts Centre
TRAVEL:
Travel expenses can be provided for attendance on Thursday 19th February with refreshments provided. Travel cannot be provided for 22nd April and 22nd May, please let us know if this proves a barrier to your participation and we will explore options for ensuring you can attend.
Under 25s are entitled to discounted rail fare and under 22s free bus travel through the Young Scot National Entitlement Card: https://young.scot/the-young-scot-card/
HOW TO APPLY:
Please complete the online form Queer Young Creatives. If you would like to submit a voice note or video instead please contact Fraser MacLeod, Co-Director of Sanctuary Queer Arts on fraser@sanctuaryqueerarts.com to arrange.
