From November 2026 to June 2027, your group will work with Wonder Fools to develop and stage a Positive Stories for Negative Times production at one of our Showcase Weekends across Scotland.
As part of the Showcase Weekends programme, your group will receive:
- a newly commissioned Positive Stories play or play-blueprint to perform, alongside practical resources to support your process
- dedicated time and support from the Wonder Fools team
- budget for an Associate Artist to work alongside you and your young people, supporting areas such as movement, sound, devising or staging
- the opportunity to apply for a bursary to support your group
- a midpoint workshop where you can meet other participating groups, share practice and exchange ideas
- technical support as you prepare for your performance
- a performance slot in a professional theatre as part of a Showcase Weekend
The Showcase Weekends are the culmination of your PSFNT process. Each weekend will bring together six groups for two days of performances, workshops and shared activity. Across the weekend, there will be six productions, a workshop programme for leaders and young people, and a free dinner provided on both days of the festival.
Venues will be announced in Summer 2026 and will be geographically spread across Scotland. Previous Positive Stories Showcases have taken place at leading theatres including the Traverse Theatre, Tron Theatre, Eden Court, Theatre Royal Dumfries, An Lanntair and Perth Theatre.
Looking to receive a play and perform it in your own community instead? Head to Perform in Your Community.
Go to Perform in Your Community
Spaces for our Showcase Weekends are limited, and we expect there may be more applications than available places. When selecting groups, we will aim to create a balance between those who have been committed to Positive Stories over a number of years and those who do not usually get opportunities like this.
Positive Stories for Negative Times has always been about bringing different groups together, and that mix is hugely important to us.
If your group is not selected for a Showcase Weekend this year, you can still take part by staging a performance in your own community through Perform in Your Community.
Applications close on 18 September 2026. We will notify all groups about their involvement by 25 September 2026, with plays available from 14 October 2026.