The Royal Court is the leading force for playwrights – but it takes skilled directors to bring bold new plays to life.
We offer a comprehensive ladder of support for directors wanting to develop their craft staging new work – from paid roles and bursaries, to open-access events and insights from some of the world’s leading theatre-makers.
Open-Access Opportunities:
Available to everyone – no application required. Throughout the year, we offer hundreds of free, bookable places for directors at any stage. These include:
Unique opportunities to observe technical rehearsals led on our stages
Directors’ Nights with free drinks, peer networking and the chance to discuss that evening’s production and the directorial process behind it
Masterclasses, workshops, and Q&As with leading directors
All events will be advertised here on a first-come, first-served basis. Scroll down for event listings & booking.
Paid Director Roles and Opportunities – Apply Now:
Trainee Directors – year-long salaried role Our Trainee Director programme has launched countless freelance and artistic leadership careers. Every year we’re now recruiting two year-long positions, overlapping by six months, offering unrivalled development as a full-time member of our artistic team.
Assistant Directors’ Pool – year-long attachments & bursaries Recruited annually and supported by a one-off bursary and year-round opportunities, our Assistant Directors’ Pool gives a cohort of early-career directors first access to apply for increased paid assistant director roles in both our theatre spaces.
Mentoring
For early-career directors working here for the first time, we offer discretionary mentoring budgets, paired with leading theatre-makers. These are not application-based, but will be part of discussions with our artistic team.
Applications are now open (closing Sun 31 Aug) for the 2025-26 Trainee Directors and Assistant Directors Pool, as part of one application process:
For the first time ever, we’re inviting directors to observe our technical rehearsals, and what better place to start than Olivier and Tony award-winning director Marianne Elliot’s production of The Unbelievers.
Join us for The Unbelievers Directors’ Night. Buy a ticket for the show on Wed 26 Nov (price type Directors) and join us for free drinks, peer networking and the chance to discuss that evening’s production and the directorial process behind it.
