Young Director Scheme expands to reach under-represented talent

The Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme (RTYDS), which has been supporting the professional development of young directors and artistic directors since the 1960s, is being extended in an attempt to attract more talented individuals from under-represented communities. A £450k Lottery grant from Arts Council England (ACE) over the next three years will be used 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. The recruitment process for the scheme has been restructured to promote greater access and diversity and it will in future be delivered through two tiers – Level One for those with no prior experience of directing and Level Two for emerging artists. The new entry-level tier will support young people from the widest breadth of social, ethnic, educational and cultural backgrounds and RTYDS will fund regional theatres to run targeted participation projects to find the brightest talents from their local communities. Financial support will be available for six individuals to experience three-month placements in regional theatres. RTYDS will also offer four 18-month residencies each year to more experienced emerging directors. Placements will be fully funded by RTYDS and offer participants the opportunity to develop their understanding of the artistic and operational workings of a theatre, as well as assisting on productions and directing their own. RTYDS Chair Sue Emmas explained: “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…”

RTYDS alumni include Vicky Featherstone, Roger Michell, Adrian Noble, Trevor Nunn, Rupert Goold, Dominic Hill and Jeremy Herrin. Joyce Wilson, ACE’s Area Director, London, 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…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.”