Fair Play Associate Artistic Director 2026-2027
RTYDS is partnering with three building-based theatre companies (outside of London) to each host a mid-career director or theatre maker from a working class or low socio-economic background for 18 months.
Anthony Lau, RTYDS Associate Artistic Director at Sheffield Theatres (2020-2022), directing ROCK at Sheffield Theatres. Photo by Sam Taylor.
This strand of RTYDS’s work reflects our strong commitment to the development of directors and theatre makers as cultural leaders. There continues to be a significant lack of diversity in those who lead organisations and there is a pressing need to provide progression routes for talented people from working class and low socio-economic backgrounds that continue to be under-represented in the arts.
The Fair Play Associate Artistic Director Residency is an opportunity for three regional building-based theatre companies to each partner with RTYDS and host a mid-career working class or low socio-economic background director or theatre maker for 18 months. They will develop their craft as a director while learning about the role of an artistic or creative director in cultural leadership.
PLEASE NOTE: We are not yet open for applications for directors and theatre makers.
We are currently inviting expressions of interest from theatres. Information will then be available for directors and theatre makers to apply for these opportunities.
Please sign up to our mailing list to find out when applications open for directors and theatre makers.
Overview of Timeline
| 10 July 2025 | Deadline for expression of interest from theatres |
| w/c 14 July | RTYDS conversations with theatres |
| w/c 21 July | RTYDS Board of Trustees select host theatres |
| w/c 14 August | Applications open to directors and theatre makers |
| w/c 15 September | Deadline for director and theatre maker applications |
| w/c 13 October | First round interviews for directors and theatre makers |
| w/c 27 October | Second round interviews for directors and theatre makers |
| January 2026 | Start of Associate Artistic Director Residency |
You can find out more about Fair Play here and if you have any questions or queries regarding the RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Residency, please contact Programme Producer Manli Siu on rtyds@rtyds.co.uk or 0161 883 0296.
“There is no doubt in my mind that without this extraordinary chance I would not have had the experience or confidence to be the director I am or to have set up the National Theatre of Scotland.”
Vicky Featherstone
Previously Artistic Director, Royal Court Theatre
(RTYDS 18-Month Residency alumni)