Directors
Supporting the next generation of directors at the writers’ theatre.
The Royal Court is the world’s 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:
- 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
Events will be advertised for booking on a first-come, first-served basis - see below for what's coming up.
Paid Director Roles & Assistants
Trainee Directors — year-long salaried roles
Our Trainee Director programme has launched countless freelance and artistic leadership careers. Every year we now recruit 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.
Applications are now closed for the current round of the Trainee Directors and Assistant Directors Pool. Please check back here in spring/summer 2026 for information on the next round.
Mentoring
For directors engaged to work here for the first time, we offer discretionary budgets for mentoring, paired with leading theatre-makers. These are not application-based but will be part of discussions with our artistic team, identified where they can most benefit a director during a significant professional or artistic period.
