Deadline:
Boris Karloff Foundation Trainee Assistant Director Scheme
The Boris Karloff Foundation Trainee Assistant Director Scheme provides an opportunity for a director or theatre maker to gain experience working on a show at the Young Vic. The directors should have limited experience of directing but be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in theatre directing.
The opportunity to support the assistant director in rehearsals, previews and run of a show will provide the trainee assistant director experience of the etiquette of the rehearsal room, the relationships between the creative team, the craft of the actor and the process of making a show from first day of rehearsals through to opening night. They will have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in a supported environment working alongside an assistant director and director on a professional production.
The chance to observe an assistant in the rehearsal and production process of a show will give the trainee the confidence to apply for assistant director roles, either at the Young Vic or elsewhere, with an informed understanding of the skills and expertise they need to demonstrate to a potential employee/director.
At present we are looking for a Boris Karloff Assistant Director on Hamlet by William Shakespeare directed by Greg Hersov with Cush Jumbo as Hamlet.
Key dates include:
Rehearsals from: 9th August 2021
Technical Rehearsals: week commencing 20th September 2021
First Preview: week commencing 20th September 2021
Press Performances: week commencing 4th October 2021
Final Performance: 13th November 2021
You will need to be available full-time for rehearsals (10am – 6pm, Monday to Saturday) from 9th August to week commencing 4th October 2021. However, if you have any regular or prior commitments please let us know and we will try and accommodate these as much as we can. Post press night week there is an option to observe the run but there is no expectation that you will be free to do this.
Fee: £2,000
Is this for you?
We accept that it is hard for all directors to secure paid assisting work and through the scheme we aim to provide opportunities on all our shows. This scheme is particularly aimed at new directors who have had limited access to making work or assisting.
We are particularly keen to hear from directors and theatre makers who are Black, South Asian, East or South East Asian, mixed or dual heritage, have had a lived experience of racism; from working, benefit, criminal and underclass background; identify as Deaf or disabled.
Essential
- You are resident in the UK at point of application
- Have less than two years’ experience of working professionally* in theatre as a director but can demonstrate a commitment to a career as a theatre director
- Have not assisted at a theatre equivalent to the scale and reputation of the Young Vic
- Have not studied to MA level or above in a theatre related subject.
* We would define professional, as: making work with a cast and creative team who have or hope to have theatre as their main career focus and source of income. It does not include shows made at university or whilst training at drama school.
Desirable
- Have not studied to degree level or at a drama school
- Under 26
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
If you would like to apply please send the following information:
- A CV (no more than one A4 page)
- Up to 200 words on three things you would specifically like to learn from assisting
- Up to 200 words on what needs to change in the theatre industry, in your opinion or from your personal experience, to make it more inclusive and welcoming to directors and theatre makers at the start of their career.
Please complete the equal opportunities form attached at the bottom of this page. Filling in the form will help us to be as representative as possible, in the makeup of our creative teams. Our aim is to embrace diversity, ambition and excellence. To achieve this, it is useful for us to know a certain amount about who you are.
We welcome applications in writing as well as video and voice notes. The video and audio file should be no more than five minutes and be submitted via we transfer to opportunitiesdirectorsprogram@youngvic.org
Please confirm that you are free for a majority of the dates outlined above. We will work with the appointed trainee director to create a schedule that works with their interests and other commitments. If you know you have any prior commitments during the rehearsal period outlined above, please let us know and we will try to accommodate these as much as we can.
If you are Deaf, disabled, experiencing mental health issues or are neuro-divergent please let us know your access requirements and we can put provisions in place when you are invited to a meeting for the interview process. This might include, hearing loop, BSL interpreter, quiet environment, longer meeting time etc.
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.
Deadline for applications is 12pm 28 June 2021.
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.