We work with venues around the UK to offer training for young and emerging theatre directors through exclusive free workshop and development opportunities, as well as a chance to meet regularly with a group of peers to network and share ideas. There is no upper age limit for these groups.
Partners so far are Birmingham Rep, Bristol Old Vic, HOME Manchester, Leeds Playhouse, New Vic Stoke, Northern Stage, Nottingham Playhouse, Reading Rep, Royal & Derngate Northampton, Traverse Theatre Edinburgh, and Wiltshire Creative.
Become a part of a local group of Directors! Click on a venue to find out more about the JMK Directors’ Group we run there and how to join.
About the National Programme:
The programme of work at these partner venues are run by our four Director Practitioners (DPs) – who are established, locally-based directors. These DPs curate our Programme for their region, facilitate networking events for the Director Groups and work with their nearest partner venues to tailor our Programme to the needs of local directors.
The emerging directors who take part in our Programme benefit from the mentorship, guidance and support of their local DP, who is in place to oversee their creative and professional development. The DPs also lead workshops at each other’s venues, exchanging knowledge and skills to benefit all our participants.
Our Director Practitioners are Helena Middleton, Christa Harris, Maria Crocker and Piers Black. Find out more about them here.
Assistant Director Bursaries:
We have so far awarded 58 Assistant Director bursaries, enabling a member of our directors’ group to assist on a production at their local venue. Click here to discover more about our bursaries.
Our Supporters:
The JMK National Programme is supported by Arts Council England, Scops Arts Trust, The Golsoncott Foundation, the Noel Coward Foundation and other individual donors.
Read more about the Programme here:
Talent, tenacity and something else
How the JMK Trust is supporting emerging directors
Leaving London: the hunt for theatre directors outside the capital
