Changing the face of theatre in the UK
RTYDS is the UK’s foremost programme of paid professional development for theatre directors. We offer bespoke training opportunities to artists from the earliest stages of a career right up to leadership development.
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
We work in partnership with theatres around the country, enabling talented artists to build their craft and develop their leadership skills. 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 launch the careers of many of Britain’s leading Artistic Directors and freelance directors including Rupert Goold (Almeida), Lorne Campbell (Northern Stage), Elizabeth Newman (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Vicky Featherstone (Royal Court), Natalie Ibu (tiata fahodzi); freelance directors include John Tiffany, Matthew Xia and Rebecca Frecknall.
Photo: © Robert Day
“RTYDS changed my life – it’s the best scheme of its kind”
Rupert Goold
Artistic Director, Almeida Theatre
Latest from RTYDS
Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme announces the 2019 recipients of the 18-Month Residencies for Resident Assistant Directors
From September this year the newly redeveloped Leeds Playhouse and Bristol’s Tobacco Factory Theatres will each host Directors on an 18-Month Residency. Director Jay Crutchley will be placed at Tobacco Factory Theatres and director Sameena Hussain in Leeds Playhouse, both with the opportunity to direct their own production as part of each theatre’s programme. “I am excited to learn about the Playhouse and it’s various cogs and how it all works, about myself and what I need to do to become the director I want to be. I have a lot of respect and admiration for both James [Artistic Director] [...]
