We are delighted to announce four new directors who will be joining regional theatres for an 18-Month Residency in 2015/2016:

Daniel Bailey, Rebecca Frecknall, Jesse Jones and Jo Newman have been awarded a paid residency to enable them to spend eighteen months based in a UK theatre as part of the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme 2015/ 2016. Funded by Arts Council England and the Arts Patrons Fund, this residency provides the opportunity for the directors to mount their own production as part of each theatre’s programme – the productions are yet to be announced.

Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre:
“Birmingham Repertory Theatre is looking forward immensely to hosting Daniel Bailey as our RTYDS Resident Assistant Director for the next 18 months. This brilliant scheme has a unique legacy, discovering some of the UK’s most brilliant directors, and I am sure Daniel will follow in their footsteps.”

Lorne Campbell, Artistic Director of Northern Stage:
“Northern Stage is delighted to be welcoming Rebecca Frecknall as our RTYDS trainee. I am sure that she will be a dynamic, creative and exciting person to have in our organisation over the next 18 months. Having started my own career on the RTYDS scheme, I understand what a great opportunity this is for an emerging director not only to develop their craft but to get to grips with all areas of a theatre’s operations. This is a very exciting creative time in the North East and I am sure Rebecca will bring fresh energy and perspective to Northern Stage and the region during her time with us.”

James Dacre, Artistic Director of Royal & Derngate, Northampton:
“It has been incredibly inspiring to meet so many emerging directors with a passion for working in regional theatre. The RYTDS offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop as a director and engenders an understanding and passion in all who receive it for making connections between theatres and their communities. It offers a young director a unique opportunity to engage with the wide variety of activities – both on and offstage – that encompass what regional theatres do. We greatly look forward to welcoming Jesse here next year.”

Gareth Machin, Artistic Director of Salisbury Playhouse:
“Regional theatres crave the creative energy and vision of the very best emerging directors. Emerging directors crave the space and time to develop their craft. RTYDS makes it happen – brilliantly. Salisbury Playhouse is delighted to be participating in the scheme once more and will look forward to welcoming Jo to Wiltshire in 2015.”

Daniel Bailey

Portrait of Daniel BaileyDaniel Bailey took part in the Young Vic’s Introduction to Directing and went on to be Director in Residence at the National Theatre Studio. He has developed work with theatre companies including Talawa, Paddington Arts and the New Vic Theatre.

Rebecca Frecknall

Portrait of Rebecca FrecknallRebecca Frecknall was recipient of the National Theatre Studio’s Resident Director Bursary and was awarded one of the Jerwood Assistant Director Bursaries at the Young Vic. She has directed work at Southwark Playhouse, Greenwich Theatre and the New Diorama.

Jesse Jones

Portrait of Jesse JonesJesse Jones is the Co-Artistic Director of The Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol which he founded in 2011. In 2013 Jesse was Assistant Director to Bijan Sheibani on the National Theatre’s production of Emil and the Detectives.

Jo Newman

Portrait of Jo NewmanJo Newman is Co-Artistic Director of Birmingham based Tin Box Theatre Company and has developed work at theatres including Birmingham REP, mac, Battersea Arts Centre and New Diorama Theatre. Jo was a member of the REP Foundry, Birmingham REP’s Artists Development programme.

Find out more about the Introduction to Directing programmes and Three-Month Placement. If you are an early career director and are interested in getting involved with one of the Introduction to Directing projects above then please contact the theatre companies directly.