The Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) is pleased to support the publication of the State of the Nation: Thoughts from a Strategic Gathering for Scotland’s Theatre Sector report, produced by Rebecca Atkinson-Lord following the conference held at the Citizens Theatre in October 2025.
Convened by An Tobar and Mull Theatre, Citizens Theatre and Playwrights’ Studio Scotland, with support from FST, the event brought together more than 200 theatre practitioners to reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing Scotland’s theatre sector. The report captures the breadth of those discussions and offers a series of observations and recommendations for future consideration.
Read the full report on the An Tobar and Mull Theatre website.
As outlined in the report, the publication is intended to be the beginning rather than the end of the conversation. Current thinking shared includes a series of online discussions during autumn 2026 to explore the report’s recommendations in more depth and support grassroots collaboration around key themes. More information will be shared by FST when available via the link above.
FST’s Response
The publication of the State of the Nation report, following the 2025 gathering, provides an important opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing Scotland’s theatre sector, recognise the progress already being made, and consider how we can shape its future collectively.
Many of the themes explored in the report reflect conversations taking place across FST’s membership and wider partnerships in recent years. Issues including Fair Work, support for freelancers, audience development, resource sharing, regional collaboration, advocacy, sector coordination and long-term sustainability continue to inform much of our work with members and partners.
The report also arrives as several collaborative initiatives are already underway. Alongside FST’s own programmes, organisations across the sector are working together through initiatives such as Access Scottish Theatre, the Scottish Theatre Audience Data Network, Theatre Green Book, technical skills development, producer development, Fair Work initiatives and a growing range of sector forums and working groups. Collectively, these demonstrate the sector’s commitment to working together on shared priorities and provide a strong foundation for future progress.
At the same time, the report identifies areas where further collaboration and coordination could strengthen the sector still further. This includes amplifying the voices of freelancers, improving shared infrastructure and resources, strengthening connections across the theatre ecology, and renewing public conversations about the value and impact of theatre.
Rather than viewing the report primarily as a set of recommendations, FST sees its greatest value as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue, collaboration and action. There is unlikely to be a single organisation, strategy or initiative capable of addressing the challenges identified. Instead, meaningful progress will depend on continuing to build relationships, share learning, and strengthen collaboration across the sector.
FST sees its role as helping to connect people, ideas and partnerships, supporting the exchange of knowledge and experience, and identifying where greater coordination or collective action can add the most value. We look forward to participating in the forthcoming discussions and working with our members and partners to explore how the report’s insights can help inform the future of Scotland’s theatre sector.