We are inviting communities to Assemble this June

Taking over every corner of the building, the two-week festival will feature a vibrant programme of performances, workshops, heritage tours and drop-in activities designed to welcome people of all ages and backgrounds. From storytelling and visual art to theatre-making and community celebrations, Assemble puts creativity firmly in the hands of the community.

Marking an exciting new chapter for the theatre, Assemble builds on the success of the Citizens Theatre’s Homecoming Festival in 2025 and is set to become an annual event. At its heart is a simple invitation: to gather, create and belong.

A festival shaped by community

The first week of Assemble shines a spotlight on work developed through the theatre’s Participate programme over the past year. Community groups who have been meeting regularly and creating together since February will present their work in a relaxed, fringe-style programme for audiences including friends, family and the wider public.

Participants have been inspired by productions staged at the Citizens Theatre, reimagining props, themes and text from across the theatre’s recent repertoire to create brand new performances that reflect their own voices and experiences.

The festival will open with the Community Collective taking part in the much-loved Gorbals Fair, celebrating the theatre’s deep roots within the local neighbourhood.

In its second week, Assemble coincides with Refugee Festival Scotland, focusing on forging meaningful connections between people through creativity, performance and cultural exchange. A mix of drop-in and bookable events will offer opportunities for audiences to explore shared histories, discover new perspectives and take part in creative activity.

Highlights include multilingual heritage tours, hands-on workshops and The Big Drama Drop-In, a welcoming session led by the Community Collective as part of the Refugee Festival Scotland programme.

Programme highlights

Among the standout events is Project 21, celebrating 21 years of the Citizens Theatre’s Young Company. Bringing together alumni and current members, the event features new writing developed with playwrights Davey Anderson, Catriona McNicoll and Sara Shaarawi. The performances, created and performed by Young Co artists aged 18–23, reflect on identity, community and the experiences shaping a new generation.

Also featured is Stand Up! by the 119 Players, the theatre’s long-standing group for Learning Disabled and Neurodiverse adults. Meeting weekly for more than a decade, the group presents a powerful new performance exploring courage, justice and the impact of individuals who step outside their comfort zones to create change.

Alongside these performances, audiences can take part in Theatre Lab workshops, offering one-off opportunities to dive into different aspects of theatre-making.

A space to gather, create and belong

Catrin Evans, Participate Director at the Citizens Theatre, said:

Join Assemble

Reflecting the Citizens Theatre’s commitment to making culture accessible to all, Assemble celebrates the creativity, resilience and diversity of Glasgow’s communities. For decades Glasgow has been a beacon of outstanding community arts practice, and we’re excited for how this festival can hold space for this legacy and continue to champion the exceptional work being carried out across the city. With events for seasoned theatre-goers and first-time visitors alike, the festival offers something for everyone.

The full programme, including all performances, workshops and drop-in sessions, is now available online.

Explore the programme