Iris Theatre would like to hear from those who want to embark on a career in directing for theatre but have had no training for the role.
There are four places in the company's startDIRECTING scheme, which is being run this year for the second time.
Taking place from May to December there will be online sessions with the company’s artistic director, Paul-Ryan Carberry, and assistant director placements over the forthcoming seasons to provide practical experience and apply the skills developed during the programme.
Carberry said, “we are really delighted to be moving ahead with our second year of startDIRECTING. It is vital that artists at the very beginning of their careers are afforded opportunities to nurture and celebrate their creative instincts. I’d like to give a huge shout out to our regular monthly donors, without their vital generosity, these schemes would not be possible. We are so proud of our 2020 cohort, it was a joy to see them grow and flourish, and we look forward to welcoming and working with another group of artists.”
Those over the age of 18 who have had no formal education in directing, not directed any professional theatre production or assisted on more than 2 professional productions may apply for startDIRECTING. The deadline is 6PM on 3 April.
Iris Theatre is the resident theatre company of the Actors’ Church and runs as a charity; it presents an annual outdoor summer season as well as new work across the year at the Actors' Church.
Currently, the programme includes Mediaeval Baebes who will play The Actors’ Church from 27 to 29 May, and St Anne Comes Home, a new musical by Jack Miles which had a handful of outdoor performances and now goes indoors at The Actors’ Church in October.
Since it was not possible to run the previous sister development scheme, startDESIGNING, during last year, the 2020 cohort take up their places in 2021.