Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme to help the future of British theatre making to flourish
21 May 2014 03:12 PM
A re-envisioned Regional Theatre Young
Director Scheme (RTYDS) is set to reshape the future of British theatre by
seeking out and developing the talent of exceptional emerging theatre
directors.
The
scheme, which is supported by £450,000 of public funding by the National
Lottery through Arts Council England, draws on a major consultation with
regional artistic directors and industry leaders. The reimagined scheme is
designed to provide sustained support for the development of new and diverse
talent in contemporary British theatre.
RTYDS is the UK's longest running training scheme
for young directors and its alumni include Vicky Featherstone (Royal Court
Theatre, London), Teresa Heskins (New Vic, Stoke-on-Trent) and James Dacre
(Royal and Derngate, Northampton).
It
provides 18-Month residencies to allow participants to take up placements in
some of the UK's leading regional theatres. The residencies nurture
directing talents whilst also providing them with essential training in the
operational running of a theatre - both of which are essential for a strong,
successful and sustainable theatre sector.
RTYDS Chair Sue Emmas: "Artists from certain
social, cultural and educational backgrounds have been long underrepresented in
the arts, and the reinvigoration of RTYDS demonstrates our deep commitment to
developing the diversity of our theatres by extending our own track record in
attracting and engaging with the broadest possible community of directors. Over
the next three years we are determined to ensure that at least 25% of RTYDS
participants are from diverse communities, a figure that represents a 10%
increase on the past five years. In partnership with theatres up and down the
country we will be able to reach new artists from their local communities, the
long-term impact of which is profound and transformative for the future of
theatre".
The
Scheme's work is underpinned by three core values: to find and support new
directors from under-represented communities; to offer opportunities for
emergent directors to move away from assisting, make their own work and gain a
practical understanding of how theatres operate; and to support the development
of future artistic directors.
Joyce Wilson, Area Director, London, Arts Council
England, said: 'The Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme is a vital part
of ensuring England continues to produce some of the world's leading
theatre directors and one that it is really important for us to support. It
offers young, talented individuals from under-represented communities
throughout the country an opportunity to realise their ambitions and to follow
in the footsteps of leading directors such as Vicky Featherstone, Michael Boyd
and Lorne Campbell. The goals of this project resonate strongly with our own,
nurturing new talent, building sustainability by teaching operational as well
as directorial skills, and providing a pathway for talented young people from
diverse communities.'
From 2014 the scheme will run three programmes,
providing support for directors across various stages of their
careers.
Introduction to Directing for groups of very
early career directors
Each year for the next three years 5 regional theatres
will be supported to run targeted participation projects through their
education and creative learning departments; enabling them to proactively
engage with their local communities and to identify bright new
talent.
Three-Month Placements for individual early
career directors
Six
early career directors will also be offered financial support for placements in
regional theatres; proving them with invaluable insights to help them develop
their skills.
Both the Introduction to Directing for groups of very
early career directors and the Three-Month Placement for individual early
career directors will engage with emerging talent from broad social, ethnic,
educational and cultural backgrounds, supporting them as they begin establish
their directorial careers.
18-Month Residencies for individual emerging
directors
Over the next three years the RTYDS will offer eight
18-Month Residencies for individual emerging directors. The residencies will
provide the opportunity for those directors to continue their artistic training
and experience, working on productions and also directing their own
projects.
For
more information about the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme, please
click here