Each year, Traverse Theatre’s Class Act transforms secondary school pupils into playwrights.
Working side by side with professional theatre-makers, young people are guided through the process of creating short scripts that are later performed on the Traverse stage. This autumn’s facilitators bring a wealth of experience as writers, actors and directors, each with their own passion for helping young people find their voices.
Mariem Omari – co-Artistic Director, Bijli | Notre Dame High School, Glasgow
Mariem is a playwright, screenwriter, dramaturg and Artistic Director /Co-Founder of Bijli Productions. Her plays include If I Had A Girl…, One Mississippi and Revolution Days. Her productions are described as "political, sensitive, and compelling," often confronting societal taboos.
For Mariem, Class Act is about empowerment through creativity:
“Sometimes when you're young and you want to do something that other people think is crazy, like becoming an actor or a playwright, you need one person, just one person, to tell you it's a great dream. Go for it.”
She describes her workshops as “inspiring, thought-provoking, and very moving”, and is most looking forward to “watching the young people's faces as they see the characters they thought of, the world they created, come alive on stage”.
Leila Nashef – playwright, performer and researcher | Tynecastle High School, Edinburgh
Leila Nashef is a playwright, performer and researcher. Her work has been performed at VAULT Festival, Theatre 503, Southwark Playhouse, The King’s Head Theatre and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and she won the VAULT New Writers award in 2018.
“I’ve been involved in Class Act for a few years now and it’s quickly become a real highlight in my calendar,” she says. “Working with the young people and their scripts and stories is always so surprising and exciting – they have so much to say and such talent in saying it.”
Leila loves seeing ideas transform into finished plays: “Seeing young people watch their own work on stage at the Traverse is such a special moment.”
Sanjay Lago – actor and playwright | Holyrood Secondary School, Glasgow
Sanjay Lago is a Glasgow born and based neurodiverse queer Indian actor, writer and theatremaker. He has worked extensively in theatre and screen for 13 years, including his award-winning show Love Me Like A Chai Tea Latte.
“The exciting thing I find about Class Act is we are giving space to future writers and getting younger generations excited about theatre,” Sanjay says. “Being a South Asian actor and writer, I’m passionate about diverse voices, and Class Act gives space to inspire future diverse writers and creators.”
He adds that his sessions are “full of energy and buzz” and that he’s “really excited to see the young people's reactions when their pieces come to life”.
Marilyn Blyth Wilson – actor | Craigroyston Community High School, Edinburgh
Marilyn is an award winning Scottish actor working in theatre and film. Marilyn is the Drama Artist in Residence at Abbeyhill Primary School. She works with East Lothian Youth Theatre, Citadel Arts and Inspire as a drama facilitator.
“I enjoy facilitating and this was a new way of working with young people,” Marilyn explains. “The focus being on writing and dramaturgy, rather than predominantly performing, really interested me.”
She describes her workshops as “interesting and challenging”, and is “looking forward to seeing all the young people’s hard work paying off”.
Amie Burns Walker – director and theatremaker | Trinity Academy, Edinburgh
Amie Burns Walker is a neurodivergent working-class theatre director specialising in immersive and community theatre. She is one of the creators of the UK’s longest running immersive theatre show The Great Gatsby. Amie is co-creative director of All Points North alongside Rachael Halliwell, empowering female creatives and creating extraordinary immersive community plays.
Eve Nicol – playwright and director | Govan High School, Glasgow
Eve Nicol is a theatre director and playwright creating award-winning new writing and musicals about love and power across the UK. Her shows include Svengali (in association with Pitlochry Festival Theatre & Pleasance), Robin Hood (Cumbernauld Theatre), If You’re Feeling Sinister (Avalon & BBC Arts in association with Tron).
Roisin McLinden – theatremaker and facilitator | Bannerman High School, Glasgow
Roisin McLinden is a participatory artist and community practitioner specialising in co-creation within theatre, heritage, and outdoor settings. She is an experienced youth worker, youth arts facilitator and creative producer, and is passionate about the arts as a tool for wellbeing
James Ley – playwright and director | Royal High School, Edinburgh
James Ley is a Scottish playwright, screenwriter and director based in Glasgow. His award-winning plays include Love Song to Lavender Menace which premiered at Royal Lyceum Theatre, I Heart Maths for Oran Mor, and WILF and Maggie & Me (both performed at Traverse Theatre).
Looking ahead
As the workshops continue into winter, anticipation builds for the Class Act showcases in early 2026, when students’ scripts will be performed by professional actors on the Traverse stage. For many young people, this will be their first encounter with seeing their words come alive before an audience. Watch this space for the stars of the future!