youth theatre
At PACE we believe that creativity matters and that taking part in performing arts experiences enhances so many other skills such as confidence, self-expression, communication and presentation skills as well as encouraging collaboration, team work and promoting leadership. It’s also a great way to learn a whole variety of theatre and performance skills, to develop creativity, to make life-long friends and to create unique performances along the way.
PACE workshops take place , during school term-time. There are normally several groups at each level, particularly for younger groups, so if a time does not suit, then let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. Each workshop is geared towards the particular ages and requirements of the group and the individuals in it.
PACE must be about the best, most dynamic, innovative, original and inclusive youth theatre group in Scotland. A real credit to all past and present who work so hard to create the magic. Thank you!
Archie Dempster
Audience Member
She has met so many good friends along the way. Her confidence has grown because of PACE and now she is aiming to go further. I would highly recommend PACE.
Naomi McKay,
PACE parent
#TakeYourTot to PACE Tots! My 3 yr old has been going for over a month & loves it, he comes home each week telling us all about his fun adventures with his class.
@renfrewshiretots
via Twitter
My son has been attending PACE for the past year and it is the first class I haven't had to 'drag' him too !! He absolutely loves it and it has really boosted his confidence. He has learnt that having a very creative imagination is a wonderful thing !!!
Suzy Scott
PACE Parent
Brilliant place to make loads of friends, build your confidence and develop your acting skills.
Lana, 15
..the size, skill & enthusiasm of this company is overwhelming. I want to run away to Paisley and join them.
Tom Hughes
National Theatre
Having the opportunity to assist with younger groups is an amazing experience. Watching younger kids grow as people and performers is really beneficial.
Max, 16
I used to attend Pace Youth Theatre for many years. As I got older I realised how much I benefited from the Drama Workshops, Holiday fest. I feel now that Pace was a start in my life as I decided I wanted to do Drama as a Career.❤️
Chloe Morrison
via Facebook
PACE Youth Theatre Alumni
Over 30,000 young people have been members of PACE. While many former members of PACE make use of the transferable skills they learn while with us in whatever they go on to do in their future careers, hundreds also go on to work in theatre, music, film and TV as drama practitioners, directors, technical staff, performers and actors. Hundreds of former and current PACE members have also appeared in film, TV and advertising as part of PACE Casting.
join us.
Anyone aged 3-21 can join PACE – no auditions or experience required.
Join our waiting list and be first to find out when places are available.
To apply for a place in PACE Youth Theatre just fill out the form below and we will add you to the waiting list for the appropriate group(s) for your age. We will offer you a place in the first group which becomes available. If this time is not suitable then just give us a call and we can usually find a suitable alternative. As places are offered at the start of each term, waiting time is usually no more than 3 months and often just a few days, depending on when you apply.
NEW TERM WILL BEGIN 15 APRIL 2024 – APPLY NOW
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Paisley workshops take place on a Saturday and also mid-week. Workshops take place during school term time. With four terms in the Youth Theatre year, there are roughly 34 workshops per year in total. Workshops take place in our base at Spires Drama Studios, as well as in The Wynd Centre, Paisley Arts Centre and Team MacNeil Dance Studio.
Our Core Workshops mostly follow in line with school year groups. Our Accelerate and Young Company programmes are for members who have shown particular skill and ability in core classes and entry is by tutor/director recommendation or audition, but these are also divided according to age.
All of our groups are run by our trained staff, with the resources of a company that has specialised in working with children since 1988. All PACE staff are PVG checked.
PACE Youth Theatre workshops are all based on our unique syllabus devised to increase confidence, self-expression, communication and performance skills. They are also great fun and a great way to meet new friends. Workshops are at the core of PACE Youth Theatre and a lot of time and effort is spent ensuring our workshops are fun, educational, well targeted and of the highest standard.
You can find out more about the content and structure of workshops on the page for each group level.
Although PACE is a workshop based youth theatre, members often have the opportunity to participate in shows, be they large scale, devised or scripted. Members get advance notice and discounts on our Fest! Performing Arts Festivals events and performances. PACE mount over 70 Fest! performances every year during the school holidays, giving everyone lots of opportunites to get on stage! These day and week long activities concentrate on drama, dance and music for both members and non-members and are always extremely popular.
We also have a festival of youth theatre performances every year for older groups as well as presentations and open workshops for parents to attend.
PACE Youth Theatre members are in constant demand from TV and film produstion companies, both nationally and internationally. PACE Casting was set up to represent our members to interested companies and provide a comprehensive chaperoning and licensing service. All this is provided to our members for no additional charge or agency fee. PACE members have appeared in hundreds of films, commercials and TV productions over the years both in the UK and abroad. Established members also have the opportunity to appear in the Young Person’s Casting Directory, the largest directory of young actors in Scotland, distributed annually to hundreds of production companies.
PACE has worked with tens of thousands of young people, who have used the key skills they have learnt form PACE in all walks of life. Many of these have gone on to work in all aspects of the performing arts. PACE alumni have included singer Paolo Nutini and actors James McAvoy (X-Men), Richard Madden (Bodyguard, Cinderella), James McArdle (Mary Queen of Scots), Amy Conachan (Hollyoaks), Mark Rowley (The Last Kingdom) and many more.
PACE is a self-sufficient, non-profit making company and registered charity so all of our membership charges go towards improving the quality of service we provide to young people.
Membership of PACE Youth Theatre is paid over 10 months with discounts available for families with more than one member living at the same address. Full details can be found here.
Members joining mid-term will have their first term payment adjusted accordingly.
Bursary and concessionary places are available for families on low incomes. You can find out more about our bursary fund here.
Please wear casual, comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear to workshops. PACE t-shirts are recommended but not compulsory. Please do not wear non-essential jewellery. Mobiles phones are not permitted to be used during workshops or rehearsals.
Please do not bring expensive clothing or other items to PACE. We cannot accept responsibility for any items lost, stolen or damaged.
Please inform us of any medical condition or special needs when booking. All information will be treated in confidence.
PACE aims to make our workshops as inclusive as possible and will try and make appropriate adjustments for young people with additional needs, within the confines of our resources. If your child has any additional support needs please talk to us about it in advance.
