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
RTYDS announces new resident and associate company partnerships
Here at RTYDS, we continue to create talent pathways for working class directors and strengthen industry connections with new residency and company associations across England. As well as joining ThickSkin at The Engine Room, as new resident company in Wigan; we will also become an associate company of Factory International in Manchester and at the Bush Theatre in London. We will continue to deliver Fair Play, our unique programme for working class theatre directors, funded by Arts Council England, from our new home at The Engine Room. Delivered across England, the programme addresses the social, cultural, financial and systemic [...]