Capital Theatres: Open to Ideas – First Steps Residency in Edinburgh
Capital Theatres: Open to Ideas – First Steps Residency

Capital Theatres: Open to Ideas – First Steps Residency in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 1700 - 2300 £ / month (est.) No home office possible
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Youth Theatre Arts Scotland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Explore and develop bold new theatre ideas in a supportive environment.
  • Company: Capital Theatres, a vibrant hub for early-career theatre makers in Scotland.
  • Benefits: Up to £2,000 in funding, studio space, technical support, and mentorship.
  • Other info: Residency runs from 13-17 April 2026; apply by 6 March 2026.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your theatre-making journey with dedicated support and resources.
  • Qualifications: Open to anyone aged 18+ with 0-2 years of theatre-making experience.

The predicted salary is between 1700 - 2300 £ per month.

Capital Theatres’ dedicated R&D residency for early‑career theatre makers, offering five days of studio space, up to £2,000 in seed funding, two days of technical support and 1:1 mentorship. Capital Theatres’ First Steps residency is back for Spring 2026. Created especially for early‑career theatre makers in Scotland, this Open to Ideas R&D residency offers dedicated support to help you explore, test and develop bold new work.

For this opportunity, we’re looking for artists in the first two years of their professional practice. This might mean that you’re a student or recent graduate, you’ve made or are exploring your first Fringe show, you’ve assisted on a production, or you have a spark of an idea and the drive to pursue it. It might mean something different to you – and that’s absolutely fine. If you see yourself at the very start of a professional theatre‑making journey, we want to hear from you.

Whether you’re working solo or beginning to form a creative team, and whether your idea is fully formed or just a seed, we’re here to help you take those first steps in a safe, supportive environment. We don’t expect you to hold a sharing at the end of the week (though you can if you want), and we aren’t promising to program the work in the future. Instead, it’s a genuine offer for you to experiment, explore and get an idea up on its feet.

What We’re Offering

  • Five days of rehearsal space in the Studio Theatre
  • Two days of technical support, if needed
  • Up to £2,000 in seed funding, agreed with you based on your idea and development interests
  • Dedicated wrap‑around support, including:
  • A professional mentor for 1:1 guidance
  • Help with budgeting, planning, and building a team (if needed)
  • Pre‑residency meetings to shape your goals
  • Wellbeing support during the residency week
  • Optional dramaturgical input
  • Support planning a sharing – if you want one (no pressure)

The First Steps Residency is Open To

  • Anyone aged 18+
  • Scotland‑based artists
  • Those with 0–2 years of professional theatre‑making experience
  • People who are not in receipt of RFO funding from Creative Scotland
  • Artists applying with a new, unproduced idea

Residency Details

  • Dates: Mon 13 – Fri 17 April 2026
  • Location: Studio Theatre, Edinburgh
  • Deadline to apply: Fri 6 March 2026, 5 pm
  • Decisions shared: Mon 16 March 2026

How to Apply

Apply via the form on Capital Theatres’ website, or email to use another route. For further information, please contact or visit our residency page.

Contact Capital Theatres – 5 South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AN

Phone: 0131 538 0591

Capital Theatres: Open to Ideas – First Steps Residency in Edinburgh employer: Youth Theatre Arts Scotland

Capital Theatres is an exceptional employer for early-career theatre makers, offering a nurturing environment that fosters creativity and innovation. With dedicated support including studio space, seed funding, and 1:1 mentorship, artists can explore their ideas without pressure, all while being part of a vibrant arts community in Edinburgh. This residency not only provides essential resources but also prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its participants, making it an ideal starting point for those embarking on their theatre-making journey.
Youth Theatre Arts Scotland

Contact Detail:

Youth Theatre Arts Scotland Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Capital Theatres: Open to Ideas – First Steps Residency in Edinburgh

Tip Number 1

Get to know the people behind the residency! Research Capital Theatres and their past projects. This will help us tailor our pitch and show that we’re genuinely interested in what they do.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Attend local theatre events or workshops to meet other artists and industry professionals. We can share ideas, get feedback, and maybe even find collaborators for our project.

Tip Number 3

Practice our pitch! Whether it’s a casual chat or a formal meeting, we need to be able to clearly express our idea and passion. Let’s keep it concise but engaging – we want them to remember us!

Tip Number 4

Apply through the Capital Theatres website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen. Plus, we can follow up if we have any questions or need clarification on anything.

We think you need these skills to ace Capital Theatres: Open to Ideas – First Steps Residency in Edinburgh

Theatre Making
Creative Development
Collaboration
Budgeting
Planning
Mentorship
Technical Support
Dramaturgical Input
Wellbeing Support
Experimentation
Exploration
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When you're filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you and what makes your ideas unique. Don’t be afraid to share your passion for theatre and what drives you as an artist.

Clarify Your Idea: Make sure to clearly outline your project idea in your application. Whether it’s just a spark or a fully formed concept, we want to understand what you’re aiming to explore during the residency. A well-defined idea helps us see how we can support you best!

Show Your Journey: Since this residency is aimed at early-career theatre makers, don’t hesitate to share your journey so far. Whether you’ve assisted on productions or are just starting out, let us know how you got here and where you hope to go next!

Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and keep everything organised. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need right there to help you along the way.

How to prepare for a job interview at Youth Theatre Arts Scotland

Know Your Idea Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you can articulate your idea clearly and passionately. Think about what makes it unique and how it fits into the current theatre landscape. Practise explaining your vision in a way that excites others.

Research Capital Theatres

Familiarise yourself with Capital Theatres and their previous residencies. Understanding their mission and values will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.

Prepare Questions

Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask during the interview. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the residency is the right fit for you. Consider asking about mentorship styles or how they support artists during the residency.

Show Your Passion

Let your passion for theatre-making shine through. Share your journey, your inspirations, and why this opportunity matters to you. Authenticity can be a game-changer in making a memorable impression.

Capital Theatres: Open to Ideas – First Steps Residency in Edinburgh
Youth Theatre Arts Scotland
Location: Edinburgh
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