Theatre News

Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme candidates announced

The programme is the longest-running training scheme for emerging directors

Cassandra Compton (Jean), Matt Smith (Patrick Bateman) and director Rupert Goold
Alumni of the scheme include Rupert Goold (r), pictured with Cassandra Compton and Matt Smith
© Manuel Harlan

Daniel Bailey, Rebecca Frecknall, Jesse Jones and Jo Newman have been awarded a paid residency as part of the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme 2015-2016.

Funded by Arts Council England and the Arts Patrons Fund, the residency enable each director to spend 18 months based in a UK theatre and to mount their own production at the venue.

The participating venues are Birmingham Rep, Northern Stage, Royal and Derngate and Salisbury Playhouse.

Northern Stage artistic director Lorne Campbell said: "Having started my own career on the RTYDS scheme, I understand what a great opportunity this is for an emerging director not only to develop their craft but to get to grips with all areas of a theatre’s operations."

Established in 1960, the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme (RTYDS), a Young Vic Associate Company, is the UK's longest running training scheme for emerging directors. Earlier this year RTYDS received £450,000 from Arts Council England to fund the scheme over the next three years.

Past alumni include Trevor Nunn, Ken Loach, Adrian Noble, Michael Boyd, Vicky Featherstone and Rupert Goold.