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. A shared cultural experience connects them directly to the host location, bringing them into contact with its people, environment, and stories.

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.

Each ISTA festival includes a shared cultural experience that connects students to the host location and provides real-world inspiration for the work they create together.

From historic landmarks and museums to live performances and site-based exploration, these experiences offer powerful starting points for creative inquiry.

Take a look at some recent cultural experiences at ISTA festivals:

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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 pm 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 28 August, 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 pm 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 4 September 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 Friday 4 September 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, securing tickets for the cultural experience, 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: 9:00 am Friday 13 November 2026
• End: 3:45 pm Sunday 15 November 2026

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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: Non-local Participants should plan to arrive in Siracusa on the evening of Thursday 13 November 2026.

Departure: Participants should not plan to leave the host venue before 3:45 pm Sunday 15 November 2026.

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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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Getting there  

• Nearest Airport: Catania International Airport (CTA)
• ISTA will arrange airport transfers for all participants. 

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‍Travel time

• From airport to hotel: Approximately 90 minutes

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Accommodation

ISTA will arrange accommodation for all participants for this event. Based on group size, participating schools will be booked into one of the hotels listed below.

All participants will be charged an accommodation and catering fee as stated in the fees section. 

• Student Learners will be in shared rooms with students from the same school.
• Educator Chaperones will be in single rooms.

Hotel Information

1. Hotel Gran Bretagna

Address: Via Savoia, 21, 96100 Siracusa SR

Contact information: info@hotelgranbretagnaortigia.com

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2. Le Due Sicilie Guest House

Address: Via dei Mille, 34, 96100 Siracusa SR

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3. Hotel Antico

Address: Arco Corso Ronco Matteotti 4, Ortigia, Siracusa SR

Contact information: info@residencearcoantico.it

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Visa Requirements

Participants and schools are responsible for ensuring they have the necessary visas.

Visa applications can take time, so we strongly recommend starting the process as early as possible.

• Please note: ETIAS (European Travel Authorisation and Information System) regulations come into effect the last quarter of 2026. Participants travelling to Europe should check the ETIAS website to ensure that they have the required documentation in place to enter Europe.

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If you require supporting documentation, please contact the Event Manager well in advance.

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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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All meals and snacks from Friday breakfast through to Sunday afternoon snack will be provided at this event. Participants are responsible for arranging their own evening meal on Thursday after arriving in Ortigia.

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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 hotel or in the local area, should be respectful of the host country, host school, and the diverse international community of participants. 

ISTA festivals bring together young people and artists from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, and participants are asked to dress with awareness and consideration for others.

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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