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A production image. A man sits in a living room set and gestures dramatically to the right.
Five young actors, two male and one female. They are sitting on a sofa on the set of a stage. They are looking off to the side and laughing.

WAC Ensemble

WAC is Scotland’s first care experienced theatre ensemble for young adults

A supportive and empowering space for 18-26 year olds with lived experience of care to explore and learn about all aspects of theatre-making. Over the years, the Ensemble has grown as a group of friends and collaborators, creating a range of theatre productions, short films and radio plays, winning praise and awards for their achievements.

 

Practical information

After five years of creating work together, the latest WAC project is focusing on the continuous professional development of current members, and will be showcasing their talents in June 2024.

We are also currently planning what our future offers will be for care-experienced young people across the city once we are settled into our new building.

The group is coordinated by Carly McCaig, who works with WAC members to support their creative engagement.

WAC Pro

A large group of people are sitting around a table. They are listening to somebody presenting information from a laptop.

For those who have been part of the WAC programme and want to continue training and working in the cultural sector, WAC Pro was created. Developed in partnership with the Citizens Theatre, GMAC Film, and Arts in the City, WAC Pro provides participants with training and development opportunities. It’s a way for young artists to build their skills and establish themselves in the cultural sector. 

WAC Pro will culminate in a final sharing event in June 2024 where participants will share five original short films and theatre pieces. 

Taking part in WAC Pro:

Headshot of Genna Allan.

Genna Allan

Headshot of Hunter Christian Jessen.

Hunter Christian Jessen

Headshot of Shannon Lynch.

Shannon Lynch

Three young people sit around a table. two have one hand raised in the air. The person in the middle has both arms raised and is smiling.

Wac Ensemble

Headshot of Ross MacGregor.

Ross MacGregor

Headshot of Kieran McKenzie.

Kieran McKenzie

Headshot of Caitlin Ruby Muir.

Caitlin Ruby Muir

Headshot of Allan Othieno.

Allan Othieno

Two young people sit around a table. They are smiling.

Wac Ensemble

Headshot of Natalie Rochacelli.

Natalie Rochacelli

Headshot of Louise Scott.

Louise Scott

Headhsot of Chloe Wyper.

Chloe Wyper

How to get involved

If you would like to know more about the WAC Ensemble, get in touch with Carly McCaig (Community Drama Worker).

We define care experience as having been cared for as a child or young person in kinship care (by friends or family), foster care, residential care or secure care for any period of time (e.g. it might have been a few months or a number of years).

Watch WAC Ensemble’s recent work

Found won the ‘Marginalised UK – Women and Girls’ and ‘Best Actor’ categories at the Big Syn Film Fest 2022 – the world’s biggest, not-for-profit, online film festival, inspiring viewers to act on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Inspired by their shared love of scary films, the company decided to create their own horror story for radio. Working with playwright Martin Travers, the Ensemble created their own characters, and then devised scenes involving the different characters.

See WAC Ensemble’s recent work

A highly theatrical production Image of a theatre show. One actor is sitting on a chair tied up whilst two women stand either side of him looking at each other.

The Dodo Experiment
A highly theatrical production Image of a theatre show. A girl in old, dirty, victoriam clothes is lying on the floor holding the temples of her head.
A highly theatrical production Image of a theatre show. A group of actors in old, dishevelled, Victorian style clothing are sitting round a large dining table.
A highly theatrical production Image of a theatre show. A woman with a pink ball gown and smeared make up looks into the camera.
A highly theatrical production Image of a theatre show. A man is sitting on a chair, tied up. A woman is looking at him, standing beside him holding a bottle of poison.
A highly theatrical production Image of a theatre show. A woman in a dishevelled maids costume is standing with her hands in the air.
A highly theatrical production Image of a theatre show. A man wearing a red blazer, brown trousers and a red scarf is smiling and dancing.
A highly theatrical production Image of a theatre show. A group of actors in old, dishevelled, Victorian style clothing are sitting round a large dining table.
A highly theatrical production image of a show. Everybody is wearing punk style clothing. They are on a stage with graffiti style surroundings. A boy in a hooded anorak is sitting on a couch with a woman.

Whatever Happened to the Jaggy Nettles?
A highly theatrical production image of a show. Everybody is wearing punk style clothing. They are on a stage with graffiti style surroundings. A band are playing guitars and singing into microphones.
A highly theatrical production image of a show. Everybody is wearing punk style clothing. They are on a stage with graffiti style surroundings. A band are singing into microphones and playing guitars.
A highly theatrical production image of a show. Everybody is wearing punk style clothing. They are on a stage with graffiti style surroundings. A group of yound people are all standing on the stage looking at one person at the end of a line.
A highly theatrical production image of a show. Everybody is wearing punk style clothing. They are on a stage with graffiti style surroundings. A man in a white suite and stripe tshirt is standing with his hands in his pockes.
A highly theatrical production image of a show. Everybody is wearing punk style clothing. They are on a stage with graffiti style surroundings.
A very theatrical production image of a group of young people in colourful punk clothing.

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A group of 9 young people are standing on a futuristic stage. They are all wearing grey boiler suits. They are standing in a variety of poses. Some are standing with their thumbs up, other have their arms stretched up, others are crouched down and smiling.

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Supporters

This project is currently supported by National Lottery through Creative Scotland in partnership with Arts In The City. The project was originally developed in close partnership with CELSIS (the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland) with support from Life Changes Trust.