At an ISTA festival, creative work is shaped through the connection of ideas, place, and practice, guided by the ISTA Ensemble Method and Festival Framework.

Each festival is connected through a shared Global Challenge. For 2026–2027, Rooted & Reimagined invites young people to explore how we honour the roots that shape us while imagining new futures.

At the same time, every festival is shaped by its own unique combination of location, artist team, and ensemble, creating an experience that can only happen in that specific place and moment.

Working as part of an ensemble, students learn with and from one another as they respond to this provocation and explore a guiding story, shaping work that reflects the ideas, energy, and shared experience of the festival.

These elements are woven into the creative process, influencing what is made, how ensembles collaborate, and how ideas are developed and expressed.

The result is a learning experience that is creative, connected, and deeply human, fostering confidence, empathy, and a stronger sense of self and others.

ISTA festivals are led by a diverse team of professional artists from around the world, including theatre-makers, performers, directors, and educators. They bring a wide range of cultural perspectives and creative practices, guiding students through the process of making original work. As facilitators, they support, challenge, and inspire each ensemble, helping young people develop their ideas, take creative risks, and shape work that is unique to their experience.

Artist teams are shared in the event Information Pack, which is sent to participating schools in the lead-up to the event.

While students take part in the festival, accompanying educators engage in a dedicated specialist workshop led by one of the ISTA artists. This session supports their own professional development, offering time to explore theatre practice, reconnect with creative process, and take away practical ideas for the classroom or rehearsal space. Workshop leader and session information will be confirmed closer to the event.

Educators also take part in a collaborative session focused on sharing practice, ideas, and resources, creating space for dialogue and exchange within a global community of arts educators.

Booking secures a place at an ISTA Festival event by estimating the number of participants and paying a deposit. 

Registration finalises participant details, ensuring accurate event planning, catering, and transportation.

Click here for a helpful guide on how ISTA’s booking and registration work.

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Booking

Opens: 9:00 am UK time on Thursday 30 April 2026 for members and Monday 1 June 2026 for non-members.

Closes: 11:59 pm UK time on Friday 30 October 2026

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Before booking, ensure your trip is viable by checking:

• Travel restrictions and visa requirements
• Parental approvals
• School authorisation

At the time of booking, organisations must provide:

• Total number of students
• Total number of educators
• Lead educator chaperone contact details

Please review the ISTA Event Terms & Conditions, including cancellation policies, before booking.

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Deposit & Confirmation

Upon booking, you will receive an invoice for a 50% deposit based on the number of students booked. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and secures your reservation. Bookings are fully confirmed once the deposit is received within 30 days.

Bookings are made through an ISTA website account. Your booking confirmation and registration link will appear in the profile of the person who submitted the booking. If a colleague booked on your behalf, the registration form may sit under their account.

Invoices are sent to the email address provided at the time of booking. Your place is reserved, subject to payment in line with our booking terms.

If you need to make changes to your booking, please email booking@ista.co.uk.

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Registration

Opens: 9:00 am UK time on Thursday 30 April 2026 for members and Monday 1 June 2026 for non-members.

Closes: 11:59 pm UK time on Saturday 7 November 2026.

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Once registration opens, schools that have confirmed their students should register as soon as possible. All registrations must be completed by Saturday 7 November 2026 to finalise event logistics.

At the time of registration, organisations must provide:

• Finalised participant details
• Travel information

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Changes in Student Numbers

Student numbers may change between the original booking and final registration. If your numbers change, please inform the Event Manager as soon as possible so we can adjust event planning accordingly.

ISTA plans each event based on the numbers provided at the time of booking. This includes scheduling artists, coordinating event logistics, and allocating places for other schools. Early updates allow us to manage availability and offer spaces where possible.

Final participant numbers must be confirmed during registration. Changes in numbers may affect deposits and final invoices. Please see the Payment Process section for full details.

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Waitlist

If the event reaches capacity, it will be marked “Waitlist”. If you wish to be added to the waitlist: 

1. Click the Waitlist button on the event page
2. Enter the requested information
3. Spaces will be offered in the order in which waitlist requests are received.

ISTA festivals follow a two-step automated payment process:

‍Step 1: Deposit Payment at Booking

• Upon booking, you will be required to pay a 50% deposit immediately.
• This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable and confirms your reservation.
• Bookings will only be secured once the deposit payment is successfully processed.

All payments and cancellations are subject to ISTA Event Terms & Conditions.

‍Step 2: Remaining Balance Upon Registration Closure

• Once registration closes, organisations will be automatically invoiced for the remaining 50% of registration fees, plus any applicable surcharges, based on the final number of students registered.

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Changes in Student Numbers

• Fewer students than booked: Deposits for students who do not attend will be forfeited. (e.g. If you book 15 students but only 10 attend, the deposit for the 5 who do not attend will not be refunded.)‍
• Additional students: A 50% deposit per added student will be invoiced at the time of the increase.

Festival Schedule

• Start: 4:00 pm Friday 15 January 2027
• End: 05:00 pm Sunday 17 January 2027

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IMPORTANT:  

• Participants are expected to attend the full festival programme, including the final sharing.
  
  
• Festival schedules are designed as a complete experience and cannot be adapted to individual travel arrangements.
  
  
• Schools should plan travel to ensure participants arrive on time, are ready to take part from the start, and remain until the end of the festival.
  
  
• Late arrivals or early departures affect the ensemble process and the shared creative work, as groups rely on full participation throughout the festival.

Click here to explore a sample ISTA Festival Schedule

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Arrival & Departure 

Arrival: Participants should plan to arrive at the event venue at 3:30 pm Friday 15 January 2027 to register before event begins at 4:00 pm.

Departure: Participants should not plan to leave the host venue before 5:00 pm on Sunday 17 January 2027.

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Note: All participating schools will arrange their own local transportation

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IMPORTANT:  

Travel should be arranged to align with the full festival schedule, including time for arrival, check-in, and readiness to begin, as well as departure after the event has fully concluded.

Festival schedules cannot be adjusted to accommodate individual travel plans. Late arrivals or early departures impact the ensemble process and the shared creative work, as groups rely on full participation throughout the festival.

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Accommodation

This is a local event, all participating schools will arrange their own accommodation if needed.

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Important Communication Information

ISTA business days are Monday to Friday, and we aim to respond to all emails within three business days.

ISTA staff do not monitor emails on weekends (Saturday & Sunday) or public holidays. If a staff member is working at an event, response times may be longer than usual.

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‍3 lunches will be provided at this event.

Appropriate attire

Participants should bring clothing suitable for physically active workshops during the day (athletic wear, PE kit, performance blacks, etc.).

All attire, both during the event and during time spent at the venue or in the local area, should be respectful of the host school and the diverse community of participants.

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Please note:

• Workshops are physically active. Participants who are not appropriately dressed may be asked to change or may be unable to fully take part in the experience.
• Footwear and jewellery may need to be removed for certain sessions.
• Chewing gum is not permitted in workshop spaces.

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Materials

• Pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. for notetaking.
• Refillable water bottle.

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Information Pack

A detailed digital programme will be shared two weeks prior to the event, outlining schedules, artist biographies, and key event information.

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