The Royal Theatrical Support Trust is open for entries for the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award 2022.
The winner has a career changing opportunity to direct their first full-scale, fully funded, mid-scale production as part of the main season of plays at Award partners Nottingham Playhouse.
Working with Nottingham Playhouse artistic director Adam Penford, and with the RTST grant of £50,000 towards costs, the winning director will present a classic or existing modern play which could also be an adaptation of a novel or film.
Nottingham Playhouse also supports developing artists through its development programme, Amplify, which offers free workshops, masterclasses and one-on-one support to theatre-makers.
Penford and chief executive Stephanie Sirr have said, “we really admire what this prestigious fund delivers in terms of developing the next generation of directors and are delighted to partner with RTST. This builds on the artist development work we are already doing through our hugely successful Amplify programme.
"Making the transition from assistant directing and directing in smaller spaces to the main stage has always been tough, and in the current climate, it may well become increasingly so. This generous Award offers support to both the winning director and the producing theatre, whilst also introducing the work of all the brilliant shortlisted candidates to an influential panel.”
The panel of judges—Niamh Cusack (actor), Beth Hinton-Lever (actor), chair Adam Penford, Beth Steel (writer), Stephanie Street (actor and writer) and Matthew Xia (Artistic Director of Actors Touring Company)—will be looking for exceptional directing skills and a passion for regional theatre.
The Award, in memory of RTST co-founder Sir Peter Hall, is now in its sixth year and counts amongst previous winners and runners-up European Opera Director Prize-winner Anthony Almeida and Rebecca Frecknall, one of only five women to win the Olivier Best Director Award.
Denzel Westley-Sanderson, last year's winner, is directing an ETT and Leeds Playhouse co-production this autumn playing Leeds Playhouse and Rose Theatre, Kingston then on national tour.
Applications for the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award are to be made online with further details on the RTST’s web site.
The closing date for entries is 6PM on Monday 23 May.