Theatre director : Training

Many directors have no formal training; the skills required for the job tend to be developed by doing the work and are process-led. Few venues can afford to sponsor in-service training. Experience, reputation and credits are essential in order to progress and be successful within the directing career field.

Some drama schools offer specialist courses in directing. The National Council for Drama Training (NCDT)  accredits certain courses in, for example, stage management/technical theatre. Courses in directing are also offered by members of The Conference of Drama Schools . Check with the Arts Councils to see if they are running any assistant director schemes and, if so, what the qualifying criteria are for application:

• Arts Council England  
• Creative Scotland  
• Arts Council of Northern Ireland  
• Arts Council of Wales  

Membership of the Directors Guild Trust and Directors Guild of Great Britain  provides a range of continuing professional development (CPD) and networking opportunities, including a series of networking events and courses, seminars and talks for directors. Professional directors (with two or more credits for professional productions as the primary director) have an entry in the DGGB Directory as well as access to professional advice.

Reading the specialist press, for example The Stage , keeps you up to date with the latest news and opinion affecting the profession and can be useful for anticipating future career opportunities.

A wide range of other short courses, workshop programmes, postgraduate study opportunities and specialist training options are available throughout the UK. The National Theatre Studio , for example, runs a number of regular courses for directors, as well as offering a number of attachments to directors lasting from two weeks to three months.