The Royal Court Theatre has announced a transformative new initiative, Directors at the Writers’ Theatre, marking a major investment in the future of theatre directing.
Over the next five years, the Royal Court will dedicate over £1 million to a comprehensive programme designed to support directors at every stage of their careers.
The initiative includes two new year-long salaried roles annually and a doubling of paid assistant director opportunities, all recruited through open public applications.
David Byrne, Artistic Director and CEO of the Royal Court Theatre, said:
“We want the Court’s directors programme to be the most open and transparent offer for directors from any national institution. There’s real momentum at the Court right now. If you’re part of the new generation of directors wanting to bring brilliant new voices to the stage, it’s never been clearer how you can join us and be part of it.”
The programme will be overseen by Aneesha Srinivasan, the Royal Court’s Resident Director.
Relaunch of the Trainee Director Programme
The Royal Court’s historic Trainee Director Programme, which has launched the careers of Rufus Norris, Roy Alexander Weise, and Lyndsey Turner, will be relaunched in summer 2025.
Two year-long salaried Trainee Director roles will be offered annually, with each director receiving a dedicated artistic budget to develop their own creative projects.
Assistant Directors’ Pool
The Royal Court will now offer paid Assistant Director roles on all full productions in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, expanding to at least ten opportunities per year.
A new Assistant Directors’ Pool will be formed, selecting six early-career freelance directors annually. These directors will receive bursaries, mentoring, and career guidance.
Open Access Opportunities
The programme will also include hundreds of free, bookable events throughout the year, including access to technical rehearsals, Directors’ Nights, masterclasses, workshops, and Q&As.
The first opportunity to observe technical rehearsals will be for The Unbelievers, directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Marianne Elliott, this autumn.
Mentoring for Early-Career Directors
From 2026, early-career directors making their Royal Court debuts will be matched with experienced mentors and receive paid professional and artistic guidance.
Aneesha Srinivasan commented:
“When I applied, the Trainee Director role was the only opportunity that existed for directors like me. Every day, directors are giving up because they can’t sustain their career or work out how to get their next job. This programme is my offer to my peers, and those coming up. A ladder of support – for those who are just beginning and learning the craft; those freelancing who’d like to work alongside exceptional directors in our programme; and those who’d like to learn about running a building – so they can be running their own someday.”
Marianne Elliott added:
“Directors learn best in the rehearsal room. This programme provides unprecedented access to process, giving emerging directors the chance to find vital tools they can use in their own practice.”
Katie Mitchell also praised the initiative:
“This programme has the potential to fundamentally change how directors graduate through the industry, by offering them the chance to observe varying directorial practices, train in the craft, and benefit from the mentorship and guidance of those with experience and expertise.”
Applications for the first round of recruitment are now open via the Royal Court’s website, in collaboration with #OpenHire.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
