An opportunity for young people aged 16–24 in Scotland to join the Wonder Fools Youth Board and work towards an accredited qualification.

Are you 16–24, based in Scotland and interested in theatre, storytelling, or making change in your community? We’d love to hear from you.

Positive Stories for Negative Times is an international participatory project by Wonder Fools (with plays co-commissioned by the Traverse Theatre). We’re now recruiting a new Youth Board – a group of young people who will help lead the next phase of Positive Stories and shape how Wonder Fools works with young people across Scotland.

We are especially keen to hear from young people who experience barriers to accessing the arts, but the Youth Board is open to everyone, and you don’t need any formal experience to apply. You can tell us more about your circumstances in the application form.

What does the Youth Board do?

The Youth Board will be made up of young people from across Scotland who want to:

• change the way theatre is made with and for young people
• have a say in how Positive Stories for Negative Times is run
• make creative things happen in their own communities

As a Youth Board member you will:

1. Take part in online meetings every fortnight on Mondays, with occasional extra sessions when guest writers or artists are available.
2. Join in-person workshops and sharings during the year (with support towards travel costs).
3. Work towards an accredited SCQF qualification in creative producing, theatre-making and facilitation, developed with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
4. Develop your skills in dramaturgy, theatre-making, play reading, producing, co-creation and asset-based community development.
5. Collaborate with commissioned playwrights and artists to read, workshop and shape new plays.
6. Stage your own version of one of the PSFNT plays, collaborating with the Wonder Fools core team and Associates.
7. Be paid to help design and lead creative projects in your own community, working with local groups of young people.

We know people have college, uni, work and caring responsibilities, so we’ll be flexible with time commitment and will work with you to make the schedule manageable.

You don’t need to be “already in theatre” – curiosity, enthusiasm and a willingness to work with others are what matter most.

Time commitment

• Fortnightly online meetings on Mondays (early evening)
• Occasional extra online sessions with writers and artists
• A small number of in-person workshops/festivals each year

How to apply

Applications are via a short online form on Google Forms:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZL2i-XKxBwqswI5xLot_SCMK721e4lWesQoPfFlT1cKgLsw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

If it’s easier or more accessible, you can instead record your answers in a short video (up to five minutes) and email it to eve@wonderfools.org

Applications open: 9th December 2025
Deadline for applications: 16th January 2026

We will host group workshops at the start of January 2026 for Round 2 of applications.

If you have any questions about the Youth Board or the application process, please email contact@wonderfools.org, and one of the team will get back to you.

For more information about Wonder Fools and Positive Stories for Negative Times, visit www.wonderfools.org.