INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTING
This summer, Hampstead Theatre is running a brand-new course for first-time directors which will culminate in an opportunity for participants to direct a company of professional actors.
This course will take a practical approach to director training and will be led by Hampstead Theatre’s Participation Director, Jennifer Davis. Jennifer will also be joined by industry guests to give the group a rare insight into their practice.
A bursary will be awarded to one of the participants at the end of the course to take on the role of an assistant director on a Downstairs show at Hampstead Theatre.
Dates
The course will take place over 9 weeks at Hampstead Theatre and will generally run on Thursday evenings with some Saturday sessions.
Thursday 7th August (7pm – 9pm)
Thursday 14th August (7pm – 9pm)
Wednesday 20th August (7pm – 9pm)
Thursday 28th August (7pm – 9pm)
Saturday 6th September (10am – 5pm)
Thursday 11th September (7pm – 9pm)
Thursday 18th September (7pm – 9pm)
Saturday 20th September (10am – 5pm)
Saturday 27th September (10am – 5pm)
What is the course about?
Participants will learn, and have opportunity to put into practice, the principles involved in bringing a play to life on stage. We will introduce you to the practical work of directing scenes and plays and develop your confidence through the application of useful tools and techniques.
The course will enable you to:
- Explore how the actor’s process works
- Find ways to realise text in performance
- Critically analyse the work of other directors
- Develop and plan your own directing exercise
- Deliver your own directing exercises with a company of professional actors
Who will run the course?
Jennifer Davis is a Director and Dramaturg from Coventry dedicated to new writing. She is currently the Participation Director at Hampstead Theatre.
She has directed new writing in a variety of contexts for the Hampstead Theatre, RSC, Birmingham REP, Belgrade Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Assembly Venues, Midlands Art Centre, Women & Theatre, VAULT Festival, King’s Head Theatre, BOLDtext and Streetwise Opera.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is intended as a training opportunity, so it is not a requirement for participants to have directed their own professional show. We are particularly interested in early-career artists who are committed to the craft of directing.
Ages
18+
Cost
Free
How do I take part and entry requirements?
These workshops have been programmed for Hampstead Theatre’s local community, and spaces are reserved for those who live, learn or earn in Camden.
To better represent the local community, we are committed to at least 50% of the 10 places being awarded to participants who have faced racism, discrimination and/or cultural barriers due to their ethnicity, disability, D/deafness, gender identity or socio-economic background.
To submit your interest, please fill out a short application and monitoring form by Monday 21st July at 9am. We aim to get back to all applicants by Friday 25th July.
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