Today, we announce three exciting freelance directors and theatre-makers for our 18-Month Residencies at prestigious theatres across the country.
Director and facilitator Omar Khan, who has a focus on collaborative, experimental processes, will be placed at Derby Theatre. Omar is currently on of our RTYDS Connect Artists and he has previously worked with Birmingham REP’s Foundry scheme and Tamasha’s Directors Programme.
Freelance director and Artistic Director of Althea Theatre Lilac Yoisphon will be at Curve in Leicester; Lilac specialises in inclusive directorial practices and interdisciplinary collaborations. Althea has been involved in the Young Vic creator’s programme and has worked extensively with Graeae as well as the National Youth Theatre.
Finally, Rebekah Bowsher will work across Live Theatre and Northern Stage in Newcastle. Rebekah is an active voice in telling stories around disability and mental health and has previously been included in BBC’s Writers Access Group (2018/2019) and Graeae Theatre Company’s Write To Play.
They will join Sam Holley-Horseman who started her 18-Month Residency at Contact in Manchester in April 2021, provided as part of the partnership between Ramps on the Moon and RTYDS.
We are also pleased to announce that two freelance theatre directors are joining the RTYDS Board: Young Vic Genesis Future Directors Award winner Caitriona Shoobridge and Atri Banerjee, winner of The Stage Debut Award 2019. These two appointments reflect the trustees desire to ensure the voices of early and mid-career artists are represented on our Board. Both Atri and Cat can also offer an important freelance artist’s perspective on the sector and RYTDS’s work.
Sue Emmas, RTYDS Artistic Director, comments:
‘Providing these opportunities for directors and theatre-makers to be in residence in prominent organisations feels particularly important with the lasting impact of Covid. There are now five directors in residence at regional theatres around the country and in the last 12 months there have also been nine RTYDS Assistant Director placements, all providing an insight into making work at what continues to be a complex time for the industry. The expansion of the Board of trustees and the perspective of freelancers means will ensure the opportunities RTYDS provides continues to be relevant to the arts sector.’
The RTYDS 18-Month residencies are paid opportunities for freelance directors and theatre makers to spend time in a regional building-based company as a resident assistant director. The scheme provides opportunities for people to sustain their careers in theatre and support artists into leadership and positions where they can inspire positive change. Through the residencies, the directors develop their creative skills, learn how a theatre runs and have the opportunity to make work – directing a production at the end of the residencies.