Aberdeen Performing Arts’ multi-artform festival for and by young people, Light the Blue, has been brought to a triumphant close after an electrifying 15 days of theatre, art, music, dance, workshops and performances across the city.
Light the Blue 2025 invited audiences and participants to step into the unknown, with more than 1100 young people and 25 schools taking part, and audiences in excess of 9,000 all getting in on the fun.
Jordan Blackwood, Light the Blue Creative Producer for Aberdeen Performing Arts, said: “Light the Blue 2025 has been about pushing boundaries. Our theme ‘Into the Unknown’ took our young creatives to new heights, with their involvement in planning, marketing and running the festival as well as performing, providing tangible proof that they are capable of more than they might have imagined.
“Light the Blue is about empowering young people, whether that’s as part of the crew, an artist or in the audience, from showcasing the incredible talent here in the North East to pathways events and networking.
“It’s been a really fantastic and fun two weeks of collaboration, teamwork and creativity with so many organisations and groups coming together to make this the biggest and best Light the Blue yet!”
Highlights included a Family Arts Day at Union Terrace Gardens, a Playground Performance at Gilcomstoun School, an Emerge event with some of the most exciting emerging artists across Aberdeen and Scotland, and a Takeover with teens taking charge of various locations across Aberdeen City Centre with a range of dance, theatre and music performances.
Organisations such as Imaginate, Mahogany Opera, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Standing Tall Scotland, Ten Feet Tall Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Aberdeen Arts Centre, Aberdeen City Music Service, Citymoves Dance Agency, Eden Court, Grampian Hospitals Art Trust, Scottish Culture & Traditions Youth and Station House Media Unit were among those involved.
Families and youngsters enjoyed free and low-cost performances at Union Terrace Gardens, His Majesty’s Theatre and the Lemon Tree as well as various other city centre locations covering drama, dance and music, while specifically tailored backstage tours of His Majesty’s Theatre proved hugely popular for young people and their families. Interactive workshops and shows offered the chance to become immersed in the arts and step into the spotlight.
Tongue Twister entertained families with a colourful and humorous show at the Lemon Tree, celebrating the musical beauty of language with a one man show aiming to say tongue twisters in as many different languages as possible. Whilst also trying to dance. And make music. And do all the costume changes without leaving the stage.
Tongue Twister is produced by Scottish Theatre Producers and commissioned by Imaginate in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts, in association with Showbox Festival & Kloden and supported by North Edinburgh Arts.
Snappy Operas on Thursday, June 5 was a joyous, inspirational evening of contemporary opera performed by over 100 children from local primary schools accompanied by a live band in the illustrious surroundings of the Music Hall.
Snappy Opera’s is Mahogany Opera’s award-winning schools programme, making and performing new mini-operas with primary-aged children. Pupils were introduced to all the essential elements of opera; singing, acting and making – and work with a team of professional artists to stage their Snappy Opera in just five rehearsal sessions. This year’s Snappy Operas Aberdeen company featured pupils from Skene Square, Muirfield and Cornhill Primary Schools.
On Tuesday, June 10, Aberdeen Performing Arts ran a free day-long event at the Music Hall, inviting secondary school pupils to experience a day in the life of arts professionals and broaden their awareness of roles beyond performance. Through practical workshops, conversations and more, pupils engaged with Aberdeen Performing Arts team members and partner organisations to learn about technical, marketing, programming, directing, design and other roles. They were given the opportunity to discover more about pathways into the arts, develop new skills and connect with likeminded peers from across the region.
Partner organisations include Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Association of Sound Design and Production, and North East Scotland College.
On Sunday, June 15 The Big Gig at the Music Hall wrapped up Light the Blue in style, in an amazing showcase of the extraordinary musical talent of youth from Aberdeen and the wider North-east of Scotland, featuring Scottish Culture & Traditions Youth, Big Noise Torry, Aberdeen City Music Service, Aberdeenshire Music Service, sound & North East Scotland College.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive, Sharon Burgess, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has joined us for Light the Blue 2025.
“This festival is built on collaboration - with artists, educators, and cultural partners from across Scotland - working together to support the wider cultural sector and create meaningful, lasting opportunities for young people. These are opportunities we hope will lead to great outcomes, not just now, but into the future.
“We’re proud to work alongside our incredible supporters and funders who help make this all possible, and whose continued backing allows us to grow the festival year on year.
“But our biggest thanks go to the young people and their families. Their enthusiasm, commitment and investment in Light the Blue is what drives it forward. They are the heart of the festival.”
To find out more about opportunities for young people to get involved in performing arts, visit www.aberdeenperformingarts.com