Backstage Pass is a FREE creative careers event for 15-19 year olds, designed to showcase the breadth of opportunities in the performing arts. It gives young people a rare chance to speak directly with arts organisations about the programmes and opportunities they offer.

The event grew from the Youth Assembly 2023–24, whose members planned and hosted a version of Backstage Pass at the RSNO Centre in November 2024. Backstage Pass is entirely youth-led, both in its planning and delivery, involving all five of Scotland’s National Performing Companies, and tailored specifically for 15-19 year olds.

Young professionals also play a central role, sharing their journeys and insights to highlight the many different pathways into the performing arts.

To inform the content of the day, the RSNO and SCO have run focus groups with secondary school pupils across Perthshire. These conversations have helped us to identify the questions and concerns that young people have about what a career in the arts could be and how together we can conquer the barriers they face.