RTYDS (Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme) has announced a series of new partnerships that will strengthen opportunities for working-class theatre directors and expand its presence across England.
The organisation is becoming a resident company at The Engine Room in Wigan, joining ThickSkin Theatre at the creative hub, while also establishing new associate company relationships with Factory International in Manchester and the Bush Theatre in London.
The move will see RTYDS continue to deliver its Arts Council England-funded Fair Play programme from its new base at The Engine Room. The initiative supports working-class theatre directors by addressing social, cultural, financial and systemic barriers that can prevent creative careers from developing and progressing.
Alongside the new residency, RTYDS will launch several initiatives with its partner organisations. Working with ThickSkin, it will establish a new Wigan Directors School to support early-career working-class artists.
In partnership with the Bush Theatre, RTYDS will create a free-to-access library collection focused on plays by working-class writers. Meanwhile, Factory International will support a new international research programme for working-class directors through its global network of connections.
Sue Emmas, Artistic Director for RTYDS’ Fair Play programme, said: “RTYDS has always been committed to creating real, long-term change in who gets to lead and shape British theatre. Becoming resident at The Engine Room and an associate company of Factory International and the Bush Theatre marks an important next step for us – one that keeps working class artists at the centre of our mission.
“Fair Play was built to challenge the systemic barriers that stop working class directors from progressing, and these new partnerships strengthen our ability to do that nationally. We’re excited by what this network will make possible for artists in Wigan, Manchester, across the country and beyond. We want to position Fair Play as the national leader in class equity conversations and these partnerships move us closer to that ambition.”
Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, welcomed the announcement, saying: “We know that artistic talent can be found everywhere, but opportunity is not. That’s why schemes like this are so important.
“The Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme will not only up opportunities in theatre for local people, it will champion working-class artists, inspire more creative careers and break down barriers for young people across our borough.”
Neil Bettles and Laura Mallows, Co-Chief Executives of ThickSkin, said: “We’re delighted to welcome RTYDS to The Engine Room. They have played a hugely important role in developing and championing theatre directors and artists from across the UK for decades, and more recently in advocating for working class artists through Fair Play.”
The partnerships create a new cultural network connecting Wigan, Manchester and London, allowing RTYDS to collaborate with major arts organisations while continuing its mission to improve access to leadership opportunities within theatre.
Established as a talent development programme in the 1960s and becoming a charity in 2015, RTYDS has developed a reputation for supporting theatre directors and challenging inequalities within the sector. Its alumni include artistic leaders at organisations across the UK, including the Bush Theatre, Sheffield Theatres, Northern Stage, Live Theatre and the Belgrade Theatre.
More information can be found here.
