Three of Scotland’s leading performing arts organisations — Capital Theatres, Aberdeen Performing Arts, and Eden Court Highlands — have announced an exciting new opportunity for the nation’s theatre-makers with the launch of the Wee Ones Winter Commissions. The multi-year initiative aims to develop three original festive productions tailored specifically for children under seven, families, and school audiences.
Announced on 7 April, this collaboration will commission small-scale seasonal shows to tour The Lemon Tree in Aberdeen, The Studio at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, and Eden Court in Inverness between 2025 and 2027. Each production will debut in December 2025, with further performances in the following two years — ensuring a lasting legacy and extended audience reach.
A key focus of the project is accessibility. All proposed productions must be developed with inclusivity at their heart, offering specially tailored experiences for children with additional support needs. The goal is to create magical, meaningful theatre that is accessible to all young audiences.
The commissions come with full financial and practical support, covering everything from production costs and technical staffing to marketing. The initiative builds on the success of the Early Years Festive Commissions in 2021 and 2022, which delivered award-winning work such as The Gift by Barrowland Ballet and The Unicorn Christmas Party by Sarah Rose Graber and Ruxy Cantir.
Expressions of interest are invited by 5 May. Applicants will need to outline their artistic vision, team, and commitment to accessibility. Shortlisted proposals will receive a £250 fee to develop their ideas further, with interviews taking place on 29 May and final selections announced in early June.
Fiona Gibson, Chief Executive of Capital Theatres, said, “We’re so thrilled to continue commissioning extraordinary new work for young audiences. It’s a joy to collaborate again with Eden Court and Aberdeen Performing Arts on this exciting model that lies at the heart of our commitment to supporting Scottish theatre.”
The Wee Ones Winter Commissions are supported by Creative Scotland. For more details or to apply, visit the project’s official call-out page.
