Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme
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rtyds.bsky.social
Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme
@rtyds.bsky.social
200 followers 81 following 14 posts
The UK's longest running training scheme for theatre directors. Currently running FAIR PLAY, an initiative to tackle socio-economic inequity in theatre.
www.rtyds.co.uk
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rtyds.bsky.social
Earlier this month, we brought together artists and organisations from around the country for Class Assembly Bradford and WOW, what a day it was!

We were so energised by the day and we’re excited to keep the conversation going around class inequity in the arts.

📸 @tomwoollard.bsky.social
Caitriona Shoobridge and Stef O'Driscoll hosting Class Assembly Bradford Panel discussion chaired by Sue Emmas, with Michelle McGrath (Museum as Muck), David John (Equity Class Network) and Beth Hughes (Working Class British Art Network). Panel discussion chaired by Stef O'Driscoll, with Ezra Nash (Common/Wealth), Tanya Vital (Vital Culture) and Chris Sonnex (Cardboard Citizens). Conversations and artist commissions at Common Space.
September 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
rtyds.bsky.social
Our next three Actions for Change for Fair Play are: Sustainability, Time & Financial Accessibility.

If the sector adopted all six of these actions, we believe it could be transformational for artists & companies from working class & low socio-economic backgrounds in sustaining their careers.
RTYDS Fair Play - Actions for Change. Sustainability. Freelancers are often given the advice; ‘it’s a marathon not a sprint’. If we recognise that completing a marathon without access to equipment and practice, a coach, and dedicated training is impossible, then we should understand the same is true for creative freelancers. Ask your freelancers and employees who are from working class/ low socio-economic backgrounds what they need to stay in for the long run. RTYDS Fair Play - Actions for Change. Time. Organisations need to provide sustained support and investment over a consistent period for working class creatives. Support given over one to two years has the most significant impact as it provides a stable base of resources. This should be provided at all levels of experience and not just for early career workers and freelancers. RTYDS Fair Play - Actions for Change. Financial Accessibility. We need organisations and independent producers to understand and address the financial reality for working class/ low socio-economic background people working in theatre. We need an industry that is more benefits literate and knowledgeable about the impact of precarious self-employment on those claiming Universal Credit.
July 2, 2025 at 1:42 PM
rtyds.bsky.social
As part of Fair Play, we've developed six Actions for Change.

We believe that these actions implemented across the sector could make real change for artists, companies & creative workers from working class & low socio-economic backgrounds.

The first three actions are: Ownership, Evidence & Equity.
RTYDS Fair Play Actions for Change. Ownership. The sector needs to own and address the problems faced by artists who are working class and from low socio-economic backgrounds to recognise how structures isolate and exclude. We need organisations to take responsibility for leading on conversations around financial, social, and cultural capital in areas including programming, creative processes, workforce, representation and HR including wellbeing. RTYDS Fair Play - Actions for Change. Evidence. We need data that is specific to theatre. Data that can accurately paint the picture of the specificities of socio-economic backgrounds and how it intersects with all the protected characteristics – and data that considers geographic location in relation to class. We need to be more inclusive around differing lived experiences of socio-economic marginalisation, including experiences such as the care system, benefit system, criminal justice system and immigration system. RTYDS Fair Play - Actions for Change. Equity. We need targeted funding opportunities aimed specifically at freelance artists, workers and companies who are working class or from low socio-economic backgrounds, and the organisations who want to create opportunities for them. Without targeted funding, very little systemic change can happen.
July 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM
rtyds.bsky.social
Introducing the Fair Play Associate Artistic Director Residency, where three building-based theatres (outside of London) can partner with us to each host an experienced working class director.

Deadline for theatres to apply: Thu 10 Jul, 12noon

More info: www.rtyds.co.uk/associate-artistic-director
RTYDS 18-Month Residencies are back!
June 25, 2025 at 8:55 AM
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We're very delighted to announce our five Fair Play Advocates, who are: actor, playwright & director Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE; actor & writer Julie Hesmondhalgh; actor & director Matthew Dunster; and theatre directors Nancy Medina & Matthew Xia!

Read more on our website: bit.ly/4lqihns
Image of the five Fair Play Advocates, from left to right: Matthew Xia, Nancy Medina, Matthew Dunster, Kwame Kwei-Armah, and Julie Hesmondhalgh
June 24, 2025 at 2:31 PM
rtyds.bsky.social
✨We’ve had a glow up✨

Introducing our new logo for Fair Play, our nationwide programme of work that addresses the barriers experienced by artists who are working class or from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Find out more: www.rtyds.co.uk/fair-play
FAIR PLAY RTYDS logo, navy text on a white background
March 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM