Deadline:
JERWOOD ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PROGRAMME
The Young Vic is committed to providing opportunities for directors and theatre makers to develop their craft and to expand their knowledge and practice. Learning from experienced directors by assisting is a vital chance to develop skills and understanding. Equally, having the chance to spend time in a theatre and understand how the departments work together to produce work is also an important aspect of a director and theatre maker’s knowledge. Each year the Jerwood Assistant Director Program, supported by Jerwood Arts will aim to provide five assistant directorships which include a placement at the Young Vic in addition to an attachment to a production.
THE PROGRAMME
The program provides each assistant director:
- An assistantship on a Young Vic production or co-production
- A two-week placement observing day to day running of the theatre, attending planning and management meetings and spending time in departments such as marketing, production and development
- Professional practice workshops, led by Young Vic associates.
- The opportunity to direct a short piece of work, in The Clare Theatre or online, to be presented alongside the work of other Jerwood Assistant Directors
- The opportunity to devise and lead two peer-led projects for the Genesis Network.
- A chance to work with the Taking Part department on delivering a programme of work for schools and colleges inspired by the show they have assisted on
- A small pot of money to see shows
Each assistant will receive a fee to cover the assistantship on a production, placement and the direction of a short piece.
ASSISTANTSHIP ON A YOUNG VIC PRODUCTION
At present we are looking for an assistant to work with Kwame Kwei-Armah on a show in the main house. The show will be announced in late April as part of our season launch.
Dates
Rehearsals from: 7th June 2021
Technical Rehearsals: 5th July 2021
First Preview: week commencing 5 July 2021
Press Performances: week commencing 12 July 2021
Final Performance: 16 August 2021
FEES
There is a fee of £4,000 to cover the period from 7 June to 16 August 2021. The director will be required to undertake some research and attend meetings prior to the rehearsal period. You will be working full-time after the press week and then part-time during the run to support the show.
Two week placement payment of £450 per week (mutually agreed with Young Vic and assistant director)
There is a fee and small budget to support the direction of a short piece in the Clare Theatre and a small budget towards seeing shows.
We are looking for an assistant director who:
- Has assistant directed on at least one production (full production of at least a two week run)
- Has directed at least one professional* production (with professional actors not student actors) of any length of run
- Has a specific knowledge of and interest in African culture and literature
- Physical theatre, movement or dance is part of their creative practice
- Has experience of making work in new technologies (but this is not essential)
- Experience of pre-production factual, visual, and textual field research
- Has the ability to be supportive and sensitive in the rehearsal room
- Can provide a clear analysis of why this opportunity would provide an invaluable step in their own artistic evolution (as opposed to career development)
- Has an interest in devising and running workshops for schools and colleges and contributing to resource materials for teachers (no previous experience is necessary)
* We would define professional, as: the team who created and realised the production have or hope to have theatre as their main career focus and source of income.
HOW TO APPLY
The application will require a CV (no more than one page) and a letter (one A4 page) detailing:
- What the opportunity will mean in terms of your artistic evolution.
- Your relevant experience and why you are interested in working with Kwame Kwei-Armah on a production at the Young Vic.
- Please confirm that you are fully available for the relevant dates.
The application should ideally be typed.
If you are Deaf, disabled, experiencing mental health issues or are neuro diverse please let us know adjustments we need to make to the application and interview process.
Please complete the equal opportunities form below.
SELECTION PROCESS
The deadline for applications is 10am on Tuesday 27 April 2021. Depending on the volume of applications there may be a number of stages in the selection process. We will contact everyone who expresses an interest.
ELIGIBILITY
Director’s applying for the award must meet the following criteria:
- Be a UK resident at point of application
- Be available for the appropriate dates. If you have prior commitments please let us know in your application letter.
- You do not have to be a member of the Young Vic’s Genesis Network but we would encourage you to join so you can continue to find out about events, workshops and opportunities. You can sign up HERE
CLOSING DATE
Closing date for applications is 10am Tuesday 27 April 2021.
Please address and send your application to Sue Emmas, Associate Artistic Director at opportunitiesdirectorsprogram@youngvic.org
Please add your name, telephone number and email address to every page you submit.
We will get back in touch with everyone who applies but please bear with us as this make take some time. If your availability changes please contact Tia Begum tiabegum@youngvic.org so we can withdraw your expression of interest.