APPLICATIONS FOR STRABANG 2024/2025 ARE NOW open.
click here.
About Strabang!
Strabang brings together Gaelic-speaking young people from all over the country to take part in workshops as we work together to stage a play. Whilst doing so participants will develop their skills in drama, meet friends who share their interests and strengthen Gaelic theatre in years to come.
We run weekend-long workshops in places like Eden Court, An Lanntair and Tron Theatre between September and March.
We want to make sure this opportunity is as accessible as possible, therefore all travel and accommodation costs are covered by us.
“It was amazing to make new friends and to have the chance to speak gaelic to them.”
“Friends, rehearsals, gossiping in gaelic and speaking gaelic in a fun way. ”
STRABANG 2023-2024
Strabang Superstars!
Look at this lot… What an incredible performance of ‘Abair Drama’ the Strabang squad put on at Eden Court - there was very little time to rehearse, but that didn’t bother them at all. Each one of them is filled with talent, heart and enthusiasm, the future of gaelic theatre is in good hands.
Theatre Gu Leòr would love to thank those who have supported us in delivering Strabang this year: Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Creative Scotland, Eden Court, Tron Theatre and An Lanntair.
Also, thanks to Bekah, Tanya and Claire Frances for coming along with us all over the country, to Rachel Kate Macleod for our poster and to Lisa Marie Annette for leading zoom yoga for us!
But the most important people of all, are of course the participants… thank you so much for your hard work, your ideas and your Strabanter. I’m so proud of you all.
It’s not StraBye, it’s see you late
INVERNESS
The team took to the stage at Eden Court and they were absolutely incredible. What an amazing way to show off all their hard work. It was here that we said goodbye, but what an amazing time we’ve all had together. So proud!
GLASGOW
INVERNESS
We began Strabang in Inverness this year, back at Eden Court but this time with a new group! New group, new friends, new skills! And as always, some theatre dahling!
STORNOWAY
There were some pale faces as we crossed over to Lewis, but we made it in one piece. The group got their script in their hands and got straight to working and we ate more pizza! There’s a surprise!
Strabang 22/23
Strabang 2022-2023
INVERNESS
Our first weekend took place at Eden Court. Once everybody travelled to Inverness by bus, train and ferry we spent the weekend getting to know each other, creating characters, devising short scenes, bowling and eating pizza - so much pizza.
GLASGOW
Then came the second workshop in Glasgow at Tron Theatre. Playwrights’ Studio Scotland were so generous in organising for the incredible writer Frances Poet to come in and lead a workshop. And we ate more pizza.
ZOOM
In December and January we hunkered down and did a couple of workshop weekends over Zoom. The team learned about directing, dramaturgy, costume and set design, and stage management from industry professionals Muireann Kelly, Mairi Morrison, Becky Minto and Katharina Siebert.
STORNOWAY
In February we headed to An Lanntair in Stornoway to work hard on rehearsing our pieces and preparing for our showcase in March.
Well, there we are!
On Saturday, the Strabang team performed a bold and hilarious showing of all their work at Tron Theatre in Glasgow in front of friends and family. We had dinner together for the last time and all travelled home. Our time together was something else!
I would like to thank Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Creative Scotland for their support; to Tron Theatre and Eden Court for being so generous in giving us time and space to run our workshops and showing; to Playwrights’ Studio Scotland for providing us with a brilliant writing workshop.
A huge thanks to Mairi Morrison, Frances Poet, Muireann Kelly, Katty Siebert and Becky Minto for their wonderful workshops and for being so kind and helpful to the participants and for showing them that there are many paths in the theatre world.
I was given an incredible amount of support from Jennifer Bates whilst organising the workshops and the structure of the project for which I am very grateful. Throughout all this hard work, the Theatre Gu Leòr team, Muireann Kelly and Rhona Dougall were by my side, helping me with everything, especially Josie Campbell who also came to every weekend making sure everything and everyone was in order. A huge thanks to Iain Beggs for waking up early and driving all over the country and still jumping around the workshops making us all laugh.
And finally, thank you to this year's participants. It was amazing to spend time with you all. You were strong, brave and honest in the work that you did and I’m incredibly grateful for that. On top of the work you were kind, funny, daft, compassionate and cheeky (in the best way). Thank you all.
Lana
Stay tuned for our showcase on 25th March 2023
If you would like more information or have any further questions please email lana@theatreguleor.com.
Supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Creative Scotland.
Resources for preparing Gaelic drama workshops
We’ve compiled resources to support people looking to lead Gaelic drama workshops with young people.