Changing the face of theatre in the UK
RTYDS seeks out and nurtures talented theatre directors early in their careers providing exceptional professional training for the directors and artistic leaders of the future.
RTYDS programmes for Directors and Theatres
Introduction to Directing
Intensive practical training to discover if directing might be a future career. Aimed at under-represented adults who live locally to participating theatres, have a specific interest in directing and limited access to arts, training and employment. Read more
Three-Month Placements
Participating theatres host a paid work placement for an exciting emerging director from an under-represented background at the start of their professional career. Read more
18-Month Residencies
RTYDS places talented emerging directors in theatres as paid Resident Assistant Directors where they develop their skills and learn what it takes to run a regional theatre. At the end of the residency they direct their own show. Read more
Associate Director
An 18 month programme based at Northern Stage aimed at experienced professional theatre directors with the ambition to become an artistic director. Read more
We bring together emerging directors with the UK’s leading regional theatre companies. We are particularly focused on directors who live outside London and are from communities presently under-represented in theatre.
Founded in 1960, the scheme has helped the development of many of the best directors in British theatre including: Trevor Nunn (RSC and National Theatre), Michael Boyd (RSC), Rupert Goold (Almeida), Lorne Campbell (Northern Stage), Elizabeth Newman (Octagon Theatre, Bolton) John Tiffany and Vicky Featherstone (Royal Court), Natalie Ibu (Tiata Fahodzi) and Matthew Xia (Manchester Royal Exchange).
Photo: © Robert Day
“RTYDS changed my life – it’s the best scheme of its kind”
Rupert Goold
Artistic Director, Almeida Theatre
Latest from RTYDS
Jack McNamara’s Introduction to Directing at Unanima Theatre
“directing simply calls for a sharper focus on the imaginative and communication skills that we all use daily” New Perspectives Artistic Director, Jack McNamara writes about his experience of running a five week Introduction to Directing project with Unanima Theatre, an inclusive Community Interest company working with people with and [...]
