From today we are thrilled to announce that we will be partnering Sheffield Theatres to host the first RTYDS Associate Artistic Director, as part of RTYDS’ commitment to the development of artistic directors as cultural leaders.
What is the Associate Artistic Director Residency?
Working with Sheffield Theatres will enable the successful candidate to learn about the complexities of running a company and a building from within the Senior Management Team. Alongside this work they will also have the opportunity of working with RTYDS on its national programmes and provide an insight to theatre industry and theatre throughout the country.
“We are thrilled to launch this brand-new scheme with Sheffield Theatres,” said RTYDS Artistic Director Sue Emmas.
Sue Continues “There are a number of brilliant artist development opportunities for directors at an early stage of their career – and RTYDS provides some of them through our present schemes – but there is a limited offer for more experienced directors to enrich and develop both their craft and leaderships skills, that’s why we introduced the RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Residency. Sheffield Theatres reputation for investing in the next generation of theatre makers makes it the perfect host for this first residency. The varied programme over three theatre spaces, alongside the newly announced talent development space The Bank, will provide the successful director with a rich environment to develop their craft and learn about the challenges and demands of the role of artistic director in a leading regional theatre”.
Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, Robert Hastie, said today, “We’re proud to be deepening our relationship with RTYDS – who have done so much to nurture multiple generations of British directors – as we partner for the inaugural RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Scheme. This brand-new role will give the candidate the opportunity to become part of the core team here at Sheffield Theatres, and play a part in significantly influencing its future course. We’re looking for an artist with experience of making ambitious, innovative, inclusive theatre, who wants to improve their leadership skills, and is excited and committed to embracing the full range and variety of Sheffield Theatres’ work.”
In other news, RTYDS also announced today the successful theatres and directors that will work together on a Three-Month Placement along with the venue chosen to host an Introduction to Directing Scheme.
The Three-Month Placement allows theatre companies to support a new director at the start of their professional career. Partnerships confirmed are Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester with director Chantell Walker; Hull Truck and Middle Child Theatre, Hull with director Annabel Streeton; The North Wall, Oxford with director Amelia Thornber.
The Core at Corby Cube will host the Introduction to Directing scheme offering intensive practical training for those interested in finding out if a career as a director is for them. The venue will provide the participants with a mix of hands-on practical work and discussion with experienced practitioners.