Jerwood Assistant Director opportunity: Nachtland

29.09 update: We have updated the recruitment packs to provide a link to an excerpt of the play. Please re-download a pack for the access link if you have an older version.

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 to 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 Assistant Director Scheme, supported by Jerwood Arts, will aim to provide up to five assistant directorships, which include an assistantship on a production in addition to a placement at the Young Vic.

The opportunity

At present, we are looking for an assistant director to work on the Young Vic production of Nachtland, by Marius von Mayenburg, translated by Maja Zade, and directed by Patrick Marber.

Modern day Germany. Nicola and Philipp argue as they clear out their late father’s house. When they find an old painting stashed in the attic, things get savage.

The painting is a quaint street scene from 1920s Vienna; the work of a failed artist who abandoned his original vocation for Nazism… Nicola wants to sell it. Philipp wants to keep it. Philipp’s wife Judith wants to burn it.

Nachtland* is a satire about marriage, legacy, the rise of the new right, and the terrible impulses buried deep. This production is the UK premiere of the play.

*Nachtland is an invented German word. It suggests a place of eternal darkness.

The scheme

The scheme provides the assistant director with:

• An assistantship on Nachtland, by Marius von Mayenburg, translated by Maja Zade, and directed by Patrick Marber
• A two-week placement at the Young Vic, observing day to day running of the theatre, attending planning and management meetings and spending time in departments such as Marketing & Audiences, Production, and Development
• The opportunity to devise and lead two peer-led projects for the Genesis Network
• A chance to work with the Taking Part department on workshops for schools and colleges inspired by the production
• A small pot of money to see shows

Fees

There is a fee of £4,500 to cover the period from Monday 8 January 2024 to Saturday 20 April 2024.

The fee covers seven weeks of rehearsals, including a two-week tech and preview period, and seven performance weeks.

There is a two-week placement payment of £500 per week. The timings of the placement is to be mutually agreed between the Young Vic and Assistant Director, but this should take place within four months of the production.

There is a £200 budget to cover the cost of seeing productions either in London or beyond.

How to apply

If you would like to apply, please download one of our recruitment packs at the bottom of this page. There is detailed information on key dates, eligibility criteria, and the link to the application form.

Applications will open at 10:00 AM on Wednesday 27 September, and close on 10:00 AM on Wednesday 18 October.

You don't have to be a member of the Genesis Network to apply for the opportunity, but we would encourage to join so you can continue to find out about events, workshops and opportunities. Please review the eligibility criteria here before you sign up.

If you have any questions or concerns related to the recruitment process, please email Khánh Hạ Nguyễn (first name Khánh Hạ, pronounced kahn-ha) on opportunitiescreatorsprogram@youngvic.org.

The Jerwood Assistant Director Scheme is part of the Young Vic’s Jerwood Artist Development Pathway. This Pathway is generously supported by the Jerwood Developing Artists Fund.