ISTA - International Schools Theatre Association

"New friends, new experiences, and the inspiration to try new things." 

Oda Nyhus, ACS IS Egham

ISTA produces around 14 Festivals per year. These are hosted by member school communities. Festivals are intensive experiences for teachers, students and ISTA staff alike. They focus on collaboration and are founded on a non-competitive ensemble approach.

Students work in Ensembles with peers from different schools to devise new theatre. This culminates in a Festival Performance at the end of the three days. They also take part in Workshops, Master Classes, cultural experiences and social activities.

Students stay with families from the host school community and this provides a valuable experience for them in addition to the artistic work undertaken at the festival itself.

We invite a staff of artists/practitioners to lead the work with the young people and teachers, led by an Artistic Director. The ISTA Rep is the 'face' of ISTA for the weekend, working with teachers and facilitating the smooth running of the Festival.

At every Festival there is a structured programme of Teacher Enrichment Workshops.

Our Festivals provide young people with the opportunity to collaborate with other young people from different countries, exchange ideas and cultural perspectives and develop new theatre skills. Festivals act as a medium for cultural exchange and dialogue.

"I'd have to say that the Festival was so good the only thing that could improve it is to make it longer! I had an absolutely brilliant four days - better than 2 weeks in Ibiza!"
Sean Kellett, Calderdale Theatre School, UK