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Where do you go for industry news and opportunities to meet with other theatre professionals? Sandy Thomson recommends five networks to refer to.
Everyone in Scottish theatre should attend the Fringe because it's the biggest arts festival on the whole planet. And it’s on their doorstep. It should be mandatory that theatre makers go see things and meet folk there – even if they don’t want to make work for the Fringe. If you're performing at the Fringe then your first stop – sooner rather than later – should be the Fringe Participation Office at Fringe Central. They host loads of industry and networking events including the Fringe Fair – a chance to meet representatives of festivals all over the world.
Open space events and community conversations that are impossible to describe, amazing and uplifting to experience. Where British theatre talks to itself and aims to find solutions as a collective force. Genuinely useful and the best place to realise you are never, ever really alone in the arts but in fact part of a brilliant, committed cohort you can be proud of. Themed to different questions across the country all year. Changes lives.
Get in touch with this union if you have legal questions about contracts or rights or want to attend an event. Equity Scotland are a fantastic team. They’ll certainly suggest you sign up but will also have your back if you have tough questions that need answered. Brilliant network with great signposting to other resources. Mostly though, they’ve just seen everything that’s ever happened so they are completely unflappable and wise.
The mothership if you are a theatre maker. Anyone who is serious about creating work as part of the national landscape should be a member. Their membership rates are reasonable and they lobby on behalf of the theatre sector to both Creative Scotland and the government. They hold trainings and award bursaries. Their members’ meetings are the central part of any company or freelancer’s diary. And they have the best party ever at the Fringe. They deliver the Made in Scotland showcase at the Fringe – shows of national level execution ready for international export.
Everyone in Scottish Theatre is in this closed Yahoo group so apply for your free membership. Remember that even if they don’t post very much all the directors, leaders and commentators are on there. Constantly updated with everything from Equity and FST lobbying news to requests from new productions for props. Where we live. Invaluable.