Regular Opportunities for Directors and Theatre Makers

 

---

 

The Young Vic Creators Program

For over twenty years, the Young Vic has run an artist development offer; first through the Directors Program and now the Creators Program.

It is the only scheme of its kind, providing extensive and proactive support for multi-disciplinary artists and theatre makers. It is open to young professional artists at the early stages of their career (young is defined in terms of theatre experience rather than age) and offers a range of opportunities to help them develop their craft.

These include skills workshops, peer-led projects, paid assistant directing roles, Go-See Funds through their Reach Out initiative, and an online network, the Creators Program Network.

---

Jerwood Assistant Director Programme at the Young Vic

A paid opportunity to assist on a Young Vic production or co-production.

Learning from experienced artists by assisting is a vital chance to develop skills and understanding. Equally, having the chance to spend time in a theatre and understand how the various departments work together is also an important aspect of an artist’s knowledge.

Each year the Young Vic provide up to five assistantships which include a residency and an attachment to a production. Each assistant will receive a fee to cover their placement and assistantship on a production.

These opportunities are advertised through the Creators Program Network which is free to join.

---

The JMK Director’s Award

Every year, the JMK Award offers one young director the opportunity to direct a full-scale professional play. Since 2019, the JMK Award has been in partnership with the Orange Tree Theatre and the winner’s production forms a core part of the theatre’s annual programming. The Award will move back to the Young Vic in 2026.

The JMK Award constitutes an Award of £35,000 and the winning director will receive a fee for their work as director on the production. Runner up prizes may also be awarded.

---

Royal Theatrical Support Trust (RTST) Sir Peter Hall Director Award Scheme

Each year, the Scheme provides a career-transformative opportunity for the Award-winning director to originate and direct a fully-funded, full-scale production of a play as part of a main season of productions at a mid-scale British regional theatre chosen by the RTST, and where feasible, to take that production on a regional tour to other mid-scale theatres.

---

NT New Work Department – Generate

Generate is a support programme run by the National Theatre’s New Work Department which allocates R&D workshop space and resources to theatres, artists and ideas destined for stages outside the capital.

Generate is for:

• Theatre companies and artists making work that have a track record of reaching a range of audiences across the UK
• Projects which have a route to the stage established with, for instance, presenting partners attached
• Teams who are looking to create something ambitious within their context
• Exploring theatre ideas that need the use of a studio space and workshop time
• Creative teams who reflect the diversity of the UK
• The next generation of theatre makers

They are keen to support:

• Projects which aim to develop new audiences
• Theatre which is not text based
• Ideas and approaches which could be described as pioneering
• Shows which might be more challenging to produce – for example – a cross collaboration or concepts that rest on the success of a particular technical element

If you would like to talk to NT about a project you’re developing or for general enquiries please write to Rachel Twigg, Head of Studio at generate@nationaltheatre.org.uk

---

The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award

---

OTHER BRILLIANT RESOURCES

RTYDS: Navigating Your Finances

If you’re a self-employed creative from a low socio-economic background, experiencing financial hardship, or in receipt of benefits and you’re looking for clear, accessible advice and support – we’re partnering Turn2us (a leading charity supporting people experiencing financial hardship) to create resources to help navigate your finances and benefits.

RTYDS: Useful Resources for Freelancers

This page was originally developed during the Covid-19 pandemic as a place for freelancers to find resources, advice and financial support. However, there are still some useful links for freelancers, including guidance on tax, Universal Credit, and resources for other queries around self-employment

Creative Access

Creative Access work with hundreds of partners across film, TV, the arts, theatre, museums, advertising, publishing and beyond and support thousands of individuals each year, from groups historically under-represented in the sector in terms of ethnicity, disability and lower socio-economic status, to access new careers and thrive in their existing ones.

This includes paid internships and mentoring programmes.

Freelancers Make Theatre Work

Freelancers Make Theatre Work (FMTW) is a UK-wide grassroots organisation supporting the 200,000+ self-employed and freelance workers who make up 70% of the UK theatre workforce, covering all areas of theatre, opera, dance and live performance.

FMTW aims to encourage more transparent and inclusive conversations within the performing arts industry by listening to and articulating theatre freelancers’ needs to theatre managements, production companies, industry bodies and government.

Routes In: A Guide to Getting New Work Programmed in the North of England

This comprehensive guide includes advice for artists setting out to get their work programmed as well as a directory of Northern venues who programme new work. It is published by Venues North and updated once a year.

The Uncultured: Resources

The Uncultured are arts independents working collaboratively to produce, curate, facilitate and advocate. They are champions for better, more equitable working conditions in the arts and support others to speak up too.

Part of their work includes providing free-to-use resources for freelancers working in the creative and cultural industries. This includes Arts Council England templates, financial planners and Programmer relationship trackers.

Turn2us

Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical help to people facing financial insecurity. They offer a free Benefits Calculator and Grants Search to find out what help you can get.

UK Theatre Producing, Presenting and Touring Handbook

On 5 June 2019 UK Theatre and SOLT published the Producing, Presenting and Touring Handbook as a result of conversations with Presenting and Producing contributors from across the theatre and performing arts sector. Forums were held to understand each other’s operating context, discuss wider issues effecting touring and to suggest resources to improve the situation. They also talked with colleagues across the sector including the UK Arts Councils, ITC and the League of Independent Producers.