Since the 1960s RTYDS has been the UK’s foremost programme of paid professional development for theatre makers and directors. In the last 12 years we have led on change in leadership diversity working with theatres and companies across England.
Now it’s time to play fair.
The crisis of class representation in the arts is well established – but it isn’t being tackled.
Only 13% of the arts sector (ACE NPO data) comes from working class or low socio-economic backgrounds. The structures, practices, and models that dominate our industry continue to exclude, undervalue, and limit opportunities for artists from these backgrounds.
Fair Play is RTYDS’ programme of work which addresses the barriers experienced by working class artists, helping them to sustain careers so that they can remain in and thrive in the theatre industry.
“RTYDS is where it really all began; it made me the director and artistic director I am today.”
Natalie Ibu
Artistic Director, Northern Stage
Latest from RTYDS
Top industry names announced as Fair Play Advocates, championing our ground-breaking new programmes
We are delighted to announce five Fair Play Advocates - acclaimed theatre directors and creators - who are backing our bold plan to ensure theatres play fair for working class directors and theatre makers. They are: actor, playwright and director Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE (former artistic director of the Young Vic, London); actor and writer Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street; Mr Bates vs The Post Office); actor and director Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story; The Pillowman); and theatre directors Nancy Medina (Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic) and Matthew Xia (Olivier award-winning Artistic Director of the Actors Touring Company). Our [...]