Out of the Darkness Theatre Company

Out of the Darkness Theatre Company Linktr.ee/odtheatre

Established in 1992, we are a registered charity which works with adults and young people to develop their key skills within the creative arts sector to build confidence and resilience through performance.

At Out of the Darkness Theatre Company, we’re proud to celebrate Learning Disability Week - a time to recognise, uplift,...
16/06/2026

At Out of the Darkness Theatre Company, we’re proud to celebrate Learning Disability Week - a time to recognise, uplift, and champion the voices, talents, and achievements of people with learning disabilities. 💙

This past year has been truly incredible for our community. From our full-scale community productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Aladdin 🎭, to a wide range of creative workshops and opportunities, we’ve seen our members grow in confidence, develop new skills, and shine in ways that continue to inspire us all. ✨

We’re especially proud to have supported our technical theatre members through work experience opportunities with UHI student productions 🎬 - giving them hands-on experience in lighting, sound, staging, and backstage roles. These opportunities are a vital step in building skills, confidence, and pathways into further education and employment in the arts.

These achievements are more than performances or placements - they are a celebration of teamwork, creativity, inclusion, and potential, showing what can be achieved when everyone is given the chance to take part.

The arts have the power to break down barriers and bring people together, and we believe that everyone deserves the chance to be creative, heard, and included.

This week, we continue to stand alongside our community in promoting inclusion, understanding, and equal opportunities for all. Let’s continue to challenge stereotypes, celebrate individuality, and support each other - because theatre is strongest when everyone belongs.

💬 What has been your highlight of the year with ODTC? We’d love to hear your stories!

13/06/2026

Give us a Kylie track and we’re right in there - Our members and Fraser didn’t hold back in anyway this week and went full-on Locomotion style! 💖🕺💃🏽🌈✨🚂

👉 Check out all our videos on our TikTok page for all the latest shenanigans!

12/06/2026

🦸‍♂️✨ Meet our Thursday Techie Superheroes! ✨🦸‍♀️

The real magic happens behind the scenes 💡🎭 - building sets, running sound and lighting, and keeping everything on track. But it’s the laughter and team spirit that make them truly amazing! 😄

We couldn’t do it without you - our backstage legends! 🌟

🌟 Exciting Team Announcement at Out of the Darkness Theatre Company! 🌟We are incredibly proud to introduce the newest ad...
11/06/2026

🌟 Exciting Team Announcement at Out of the Darkness Theatre Company! 🌟

We are incredibly proud to introduce the newest additions to our delivery team for the UHI Moray and Out of the Darkness Theatre Company Performing Arts programmes:

🎭 Steph Smart - Curriculum Development Officer

And

🎭 Melissa MacDonald - Drama Performing Arts Lecturer

Steph joins us with a wealth of experience as both an educator and creative practitioner. With a strong background in acting coaching, singing, dramaturgy, and study skills, her career has seen her work with organisations such as Eden Court, Artichoke Trust, Grid Iron, and more.

Formerly a Drama, Production and Performance Lecturer at UHI Inverness, Steph brings outstanding qualifications, including a Masters in Arts, Festival and Cultural Management, GTCS accreditation, and Scottish Mental Health First Aid certification.

With over 18 directed productions and 20+ community projects under her belt, we are thrilled to have her expertise shaping our curriculum.

Melissa is a highly talented practitioner, joining us as a qualified secondary drama teacher, youth theatre facilitator, and previous assistant director experience with Wildbird. Alongside her teaching experience, she has worked professionally as an actor and workshop facilitator and is also the founder and CEO of her own organisation.

Her energy and passion for the arts will be a fantastic asset to our students.

Both Steph and Melissa will work alongside our Creative Director Garry Collins, who programme leads our UHI Performing Arts courses and brings extensive professional experience from stage and screen, including work with Shakespeare’s Globe in London and performances on Broadway.

They both compliment our already exceptional team:

✨ Megan Chapman-Campbell – Voice & Singing Lecturer already working with Findhorn Bay Arts and board member for Moray Arts Development Engagement

✨ Erika-Jayne Todd – Dance & Movement Lecturer who owns and manages EJT Dance Studio

✨ Gillian Murdoch – Acting Lecturer who brings valued experience from managing Highland Youth Theatre

✨ Andrew J French - Creative and Digital Media Lecturer bringing stacks of knowledge and experience actively working within the growing creative industries sector in a freelance capacity

Both new roles reflect the growing demand for the creative industries here in Moray, and we are grateful to UHI Moray Principal David Patterson and the college management team for their continued support and recognising the rising need for additional provision. We are fortunate to be in a unique position where our partnership allows students to learn and train within a live functioning theatre company.

The commitment of has enabled the launch and approval of the Acting & Performance at Level 8 and Dance (Schools) for S4-S6 senior phase programmes for the upcoming academic year.

We’re also proud to see our students when they leave to be able to progress on to prestigious institutions such as Queen Margaret University, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, LAMDA, and even New York, this in addition of our recent external verification visits from Qualifications Scotland achieving High Confidence on 3 separate visits with several examples of best practice noted - and recent 100% student satisfaction via recent surveys.

What a year! ✨

It’s a privilege to be part of a college and community that is so committed to helping people across realise and reach their full potential in the performing arts. 💫

Please join us in giving Steph and Melissa a very warm welcome! 👏

If you or anyone you know are interested in applying for any of our Higher Education courses at HNC/D Acting and Performance for 26/27 visit 👉 www.moray.uhi.ac.uk for more information ✨

The opportunities are endless ✨


Yesterday, we had the absolute pleasure of attending the YPI Scotland Charity Fair at Lossiemouth High School , and what...
10/06/2026

Yesterday, we had the absolute pleasure of attending the YPI Scotland Charity Fair at Lossiemouth High School , and what an inspiring morning it was!

For those who might not know, YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative) empowers young people to explore social issues, engage with local charities, and champion causes they care about - often competing for funding to make a real difference in their communities.

It’s a fantastic programme that truly amplifies youth voice and compassion.

We were delighted to be represented by our Creative Practitioner, Ben, who supported the event on our behalf and had the opportunity to speak with so many engaged and enthusiastic students about the work of Out of the Darkness Theatre Company.

From conversations about creativity and wellbeing to the powerful role the arts can play in supporting mental health, it was clear just how thoughtful and passionate these young people are.

A huge thank you to DYW Moray for organising such a brilliant event, and to Lossiemouth High School for the warm welcome.

To all the students who came to speak with Ben - your energy, curiosity, and kindness left a lasting impression 💙

We’re proud to support initiatives like YPI and can’t wait to see the positive impact you’ll all go on to make.

We would like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to our wonderful volunteer, Beth Manson, who has been an incredib...
08/06/2026

We would like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to our wonderful volunteer, Beth Manson, who has been an incredible part of the Out of the Darkness Theatre Company family since September last year. 🧑‍🎨✨

Every Monday, Beth has dedicated her time and talent to supporting our Multi Arts Group, playing a vital role in bringing our creative visions to life. From the magical sets of Aladdin, to our lively 90’s Trivia Night, and the UHI Performing Arts productions of Little Shop of Horrors and Animal Farm - Beth’s skill, creativity, and attention to detail have shone through in every design she’s been part of.

Your passion and commitment have made such a difference, Beth. You’ve been a joy to have with us, and it won’t be the same without you - we will absolutely miss you!

As you head off on your next adventure to Camp America this summer, and then on to study Production Arts at Forth Valley College, we wish you all the very best. We have no doubt you will go on to achieve amazing things.

💛 Thank you for all your hard work, creativity, and support - you have been a huge part of our journey this year, and you will always be part of our ODTC family. 💛

Good luck, Beth - you’ll be greatly missed! 🌈🍀✨

07/06/2026

From rehearsals to standing ovations ✨

This is what we love, this is who we are 🎭

Love really hurts without you 💖

Billy Ocean

Today we are celebrating something truly special – Our amazing Martin McAuslan, our Creative Lead Practitioner completes...
05/06/2026

Today we are celebrating something truly special – Our amazing Martin McAuslan, our Creative Lead Practitioner completes an incredible 21 years of loyal, dedicated service to Out of the Darkness Theatre Company! 🎭🥳👏

Martin, quite simply… we would be lost without you. 💙

From keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes to being a constant source of support, humour, and reliability, you are an integral part of our day-to-day operations.

Staff and members alike don’t just appreciate you – they truly value you and everything you bring to the company every single day.

And let’s be honest… not many people can create sets and props from seemingly nothing and make them look absolutely outstanding! 🎨🔨✨ That’s a rare talent, Martin! Your creative eye, imagination and passion bring our productions to life in ways that leave us and our audiences amazed.

We’re pretty sure if we handed you a bit of cardboard and a roll of gaffa tape, you’d somehow turn it into a West End masterpiece! 😄👏

You are a huge part of the heart and soul of Out of the Darkness, and it simply wouldn’t be the same without you.

So here’s to 21 amazing years of dedication, creativity, and going above and beyond - and many more to come! 🥃✨

Congratulations Martin from us all! – you absolute legend! 🌟❤️❤️

What an incredible morning we have all had as we celebrated the tremendous achievements of our talented students from th...
04/06/2026

What an incredible morning we have all had as we celebrated the tremendous achievements of our talented students from the HNC Acting & Performance and Performing & Production Arts courses 🎭🌟

It was a great opportunity for us to come together and be able to recognise a year filled with hard work, creativity, growth, and unforgettable moments both on and off the stage. From standout performances to dedication behind the scenes, every single student has played a part in making this year so successful.

We are so proud of each and every one of you 👏 Your passion, commitment, and willingness to support each other truly embody what our theatre family is all about.

Now it’s time for a well-deserved break - but we are already excited to welcome you back after the summer for another year of fun, creativity, and new adventures 🎬✨

A huge thank you also goes to our incredible Performing Arts delivery team across all of our UHI Moray courses 🙌 Your guidance, expertise, and unwavering support make opportunities like this possible and inspire our students to achieve their very best every single day. Not forgetting our team and members at ODTC HQ who work tirelessly throughout the year to support our student productions with set, sound, props and lighting 💡🎨🧑‍🎨🪚

Congratulations again – you’ve been amazing! ❤️

Address

The Wards
Elgin
IV306AA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441343544911

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Out of the Darkness Theatre Company posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category