Jerwood Assistant Director opportunity: Punch

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 artists 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 and additional opportunities. 

The opportunity

We are looking for an Assistant Director to observe the London transfer of Nottingham Playhouse's production of Punch by James Graham, based on the book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunne, directed by Adam Penford.

Jacob Dunne, a teenager from Nottingham, spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening, an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences. After serving prison time, Jacob finds himself lost and directionless. Searching for answers, Joan and David – the parents of his victim James – ask to meet, sparking a profound transformation in Jacob’s life.

The scheme will provide the Jerwood Assistant Director with the following opportunities:

• To observe the re-rehearsal week, technical rehearsals and previews up to press night at the Young Vic
• To spend a four-week placement period 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 and Audiences, Production, and Development.
• To devise and lead one peer-led project for the Genesis Network
• To work with the Taking Part department on workshops for schools and colleges inspired by the production
• To have a small pot of money to see shows

Fees

For the six-week period there is a fee of £3,600.

For the duration of the period, there is a £222 per week relocation fee if required. There is a separate budget to cover the workshop for the Genesis Network, and a £100 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 close at noon on Tuesday 3 December.

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.