Background and Legacy
For many years, the Federation of Scottish Theatre has delivered a structured Mentoring Programme as part of its wider commitment to professional development within Scotland’s performing arts sector.
The Mentoring scheme has operated as a supported, professional relationship between practitioners, designed to help individuals reflect on their practice, build confidence, and work towards clearly defined personal and professional goals. The programme has focused on nurturing current and future leaders, while contributing to a more resilient, diverse and equitable theatre ecology in Scotland.
Historically, the programme has offered several mentoring routes, including longer-term mentoring relationships between mentors and mentees, as well as shorter, more targeted forms of support. Across these formats, mentoring has been positioned as a trusted space for learning, reflection and challenge, grounded in professional experience and peer-to-peer exchange.
Delivery of the Mentoring Programme has been supported by a long-standing partnership with Andonella Thomson of Kingscavil Consulting, who has provided bespoke mentor training and programme oversight. This partnership has ensured mentors were equipped with appropriate tools, resources and support, and that mentoring relationships were underpinned by clear values, professional standards and sector awareness.
Over time, the Mentoring scheme has supported practitioners working across a wide range of roles and career stages, offering space for leadership development, skills reflection, role transition and problem-solving. The programme has played a sustained role in strengthening professional capacity within the sector, while reinforcing the importance of care, trust and peer support in artistic working lives.
Meet our 2025 Mentors!
If you have any enquiries please don’t hesitate to contact hello@scottishtheatre.org.
Looking Ahead
This history represents a significant legacy of learning and sector investment, but it does not define the next phase of FST’s mentoring offer.
The Mentoring scheme is currently closed and will reopen in Spring 2026 as part of a reconsidered and reimagined approach to professional support. Future mentoring provision will build on the insight, experience and impact of previous programmes, while responding to the changing realities of work, leadership and sustainability in Scottish theatre today.
Further information about the renewed mentoring offer will be shared ahead of its reopening.