News and Blog: News
Natasha Bucknor MBE joins RTYDS as Executive Director
We are delighted to announce that Natasha Bucknor MBE will be joining the company as Executive Director from 17 February 2025, taking over from Interim Executive Director, Sarah Nicholson. Natasha brings a wealth of experience to the company, having previously worked with theatre companies such as the Almeida, National Theatre Studio and Talawa Theatre Company, [...]
Tribute to former Chair of our Board, Grahame Morris (1952-2024)
Grahame will be profoundly missed by all at RTYDS. He contributed to the company’s work over 14 years first as a consultant then as a mentor and later as Chair of the Board from 2014 to 2023. He saw RTYDS go from a single strand scheme to a multi-faceted programme that supported over 150 artists [...]
RTYDS to launch Fair Play, a major new initiative for 2025
RTYDS has today announced the launch of Fair Play a major new initiative to be developed over two years to tackle socio-economic inequity in theatre. Directors Stef O’Driscoll and Caitriona Shoobridge will join RTYDS as Co-Creative Leads for Fair Play, working alongside our Artistic Director Sue Emmas to shape the initiative. Together they will spearhead [...]
Rachael Abbey and Sarah Githugu announced as RTYDS Intensive Residency directors
We are delighted to announce Rachael Abbey and Sarah Githugu as the two directors who will take part in our RTYDS Intensive Residencies in 2024, hosted by Middle Child in Hull and The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. The RTYDS Intensive Residencies (previously named Three-Month Placements) are a paid opportunity for early career directors and [...]
Christina Clarke and Pam Fraser Solomon announced as Joint Chair of RTYDS Board of Trustees
RTYDS is delighted to welcome Christina Clarke and Pam Fraser Solomon as Joint Chair of our Board of Trustees. After eleven years of experience at both large and small advertising companies, Christina Clarke set up her own agency, C21 Creative Communications. The company began with a handful of clients and three other members of [...]
RTYDS plans for 2023: continuing to support artists enter and remain in the industry, and making theatre more equitable and representative
Following the disheartening news that RTYDS will no longer continue as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) with Arts Council England from April 2023, we remain fiercely committed to dismantling barriers and supporting freelance artists. We continue to believe in the importance of our work in developing regional talent and providing pathways into the industry [...]
RTYDS unsuccessful with Arts Council National Portfolio Funding from April 2023
We are disappointed to share that our NPO application was unsuccessful, which means our current Arts Council England funding will come to an end in April 2023. We want to thank ACE for their support over the past 4 years, as well as every partner theatre, freelancer, director and theatre maker that has taken [...]
Announcing the inaugural Annie Castledine Award
Photograph by David Monteith-Hodge - Photographise Today, we announce the Annie Castledine Award in memory of the inspirational director. Annie was an exceptional director as well as a fierce supporter of early career artists. For over 20 years she supported our work in seeking out and nurturing directors at the early stage of their careers [...]
Four RTYDS Three-Month Placements announced for 2022-23
We are pleased to announce four RTYDS Three-Month Placements that will take place in 2022-23, in which early career directors and theatre makers will gain invaluable experience, spending focused time within a theatre company and developing their skills. Four projects will be delivered by partners Prime Theatre, Paines Plough, ThickSkin Theatre and Tobacco Factory Theatres. Morgan [...]