RTYDS has been awarded a total of £740,000 over four years from 2018-2022 in order to expand its existing programme which works in partnership with theatres and companies to discover and develop talented new, emerging and experienced artists, enabling them to pursue careers as directors and artistic leaders.

RTYDS will embed directors in theatres across the country through four career progression routes spanning entry level to leadership and with a particular commitment to supporting directors from backgrounds currently under-represented in theatre.

Since 2014 the RTYDS has supported over 400 directors in more than 44 theatres and theatre companies, and worked in 28 local authorities across the country.

“Although RTYDS has been around for the last sixty years it has been the phenomenal support of Arts Council in the last seven years that has ensured its continuing longevity. By joining the Arts Council portfolio for the first time we will be able to deepen and extend our work with theatres, companies and directors across the country. We can continue our mission to change the face of theatre, to ensure that it reflects our country’s unique and diverse range of voices.”
Sue Emmas, Artistic Director, RTYDS

“We are delighted that Arts Council has invited us to join their national portfolio. We want to say thank you to key supporters who have helped us to get to this point, particularly the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, and the many exceptional theatres and companies who work with us to provide much needed professional development opportunities for theatre directors across the country.”
Frederica Notley, Executive Director, RTYDS