Area of Learning
‍Embracing Change Within Our Communities: How communities can adapt, rebuild, and thrive amid challenges. This festival invites young people to explore the resilience of communities in the face of change, using theatre as a platform to reflect on how we rebuild, reimagine, and grow together.

‍Festival Story
The festival story is the central idea that inspires exploration and creative work throughout an ISTA festival. Festival story coming soon.‍

Cultural Experience
Participants will visit the Zhujiajiao Water Town, an ancient and beautifully preserved settlement often called the “Venice of Shanghai.” With a history spanning more than 1,700 years, Zhujiajiao offers a glimpse into traditional Chinese life along its winding canals, stone bridges, and narrow lanes. Students will explore Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, wander through markets and artisan shops, and experience the charm of a town where boats still glide along waterways in place of streets.‍

ISTA Global Challenge
This festival is part of ISTA’s season-wide theme: Waves of Change. This global challenge invites students to explore how change—personal, social, cultural, and environmental—shapes the way we live, create, and connect. Through theatre, young people will examine the impact of change and their own role in shaping the future.

Booking secures your place at an ISTA festival by providing estimated participant numbers and paying a deposit. Registration finalises all participant details to support accurate planning for workshops, catering, and logistics.‍

Booking

• Opens: 9:00 am (UK time), Monday 5 May 2025
• Before booking, ensure your school can attend by confirming:
  
  • Travel restrictions and visa requirements
  • Parental approval
  • School authorisation
• At the time of booking, you must provide:
  
  • Estimated number of students
  • Estimated number of educators
  • Lead educator contact details

‍Deposit & Confirmation

• Once booked, you’ll receive an invoice for a 50% deposit based on student numbers. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. Booking is only confirmed once the deposit is received (within 30 days). 
• Please only book spaces you are confident you can fill. 

Registration

• Opens: 9:00 am (UK time), Monday 5 May 2025
• Closes: 11:59 pm (UK time), Thursday 15 January 2026
• Once registration opens, schools with confirmed places should complete participant registration as soon as possible. You’ll need to provide final student and educator details along with confirmed travel information. 

‍Changes in Student Numbers

• Fewer students than booked? Deposits for those students are forfeited.
• Need more students? Additional spaces may be requested. A 50% deposit per added student will apply.

‍Waitlist

• If the event reaches capacity, it will be marked Waitlist. 
• To be added to the waitlist, email the Event Manager with your requested number of students and educators. Spaces will be offered in the order requests are received.

Arrival & Departure 

• Arrival: Before noon 12 March 2026
• Departure: After 4:30pm Sunday 15 March 2026

‍Transport

• Nearest Airport: Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
• Nearest Train Station: Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station
• Visiting schools will be met in the arrivals area by a WISS representative holding an ISTA sign. They will then be transported to the hotel by private bus/van. 
• Participants will be returned to the airport/train station immediately following the closing of the event on Sunday 15 March 2026.
• Travel time between the airport/train station and the school is approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic. Please plan your departure and arrival times accordingly.

‍Visas

• It is the responsibility of the schools/participants to ensure they have the appropriate visas, as required.
• Please ensure that you start looking into visa requirements sooner rather than later as the process can take a significant amount of time.
• If you require assistance or additional documentation to support your visa applications please ensure to contact the event manager well in advance.

‍Accommodation

• This is a hotel stay event
• Participating schools are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.
• Please contact Event Manager for promo code in August 2025.

Hotel Information
The Double Tree by Hilton
1118 Gaojing Road, Shanghai PRC , 201702
Telephone: +86 21 8028 9888
Website: Click here.‍

Hotel booking code: GWISS

‍

Hotel booking Code: GWISS

Hotel Contact: 
King Zhao(king.zhao@hilton.com)
Tel: +86 13002122524

Room Rates as of 10 June 2025 (includes breakfast)
Single: 700 RMB
Twin/Double: 700 RMB

ISTA festivals follow a two-step automated payment process:

Step 1: 50% Deposit at Booking

• Upon booking, a 50% deposit is required to secure your place. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Bookings are only confirmed once the deposit has been successfully paid.

Step 2: Final Balance After Registration Closes

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

Changes in Student Numbers

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

Festival Schedule 

• Start:Thursday, 12 March 2026 4:00 PM 
• End: Sunday, 15 March 2026 1:30pm 

‍Educator Workshops

• One theatre focused workshops for teacher chaperones
• Collaborative resource-sharing sessions

📄 E-Programmes containing detailed schedules, artist bios, and key event information will be sent to participating organisations two weeks before the event.

🍏 3 evening dinners, two lunches and daily snacks will be provided by the host.

• The ISTA Young Creative Leadership Programme (IYCLP) offers high school students aged 16+ a chance to develop as creative leaders. Through reflective tasks, mentorship, and leading at a middle school festival, students gain practical experience and create a plan to apply their leadership skills in their own communities. This valuable service-learning opportunity can also support other leadership initiatives.
• You can apply for IYCLP places during the festival booking process. 

‍Appropriate attire

• All participants must bring clothing that is suitable for physically active workshops during the day (athletic wear, PE kit, performance blacks, etc.) 

Please note

• Participants not dressed appropriately for physically active workshops may be asked to sit out.
• Participants may be asked to remove footwear, jewellery etc. for some workshops.
• Chewing gum is not permitted in any of the workshop spaces.

Materials 

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