Theatre director : Employers and vacancy sources

With more than 100 theatres in London, most UK-based directors will work there at some point in their career. As well as the great number of theatres in the West End, there are many others of varying sizes around the rest of London, making it an excellent base for freelance directors.
It is not, however, essential to work in London. There are many opportunities in regional theatres around the United Kingdom. These include:

• producing theatres, where plays are programmed, rehearsed and created (sometimes newly written) for that particular venue;
• receiving theatres, which act as a venue for touring productions.

If you prefer to work in a less traditional environment, there are rewarding opportunities available in:

• fringe and alternative theatre;
• community theatre;
• the events and festival field;
• education;
• prisons;
• children's theatre.

Many directors find that there are more openings in this type of work early in their career, rather than in traditional theatre. Once established, however, theatre directors are often head-hunted.

Each year, many new directors take their first production to the Edinburgh International Festival  where many contacts can be made at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe . There are large fringe theatre festivals throughout the UK, and it is worth investigating if your local town has one. There are also theatre festivals across Europe and worldwide; again, research and good contacts may take you there.

Sources of vacancies

• The Stage  
• Get into Theatre  - includes voluntary and work placement opportunities.
• Guardian Jobs  
• Theatrical Management Association (TMA)  
• ArtsHub  
• The British Theatre Directory  - for contacts, not vacancies.
• British Performing Arts Yearbook - for contacts, not vacancies.

Recruitment agencies do not normally handle vacancies.

Many jobs are filled by word of mouth and by being in the right place at the right time. It is worth sending speculative letters to artistic directors or producers at larger venues, particularly if you already have relevant qualifications and experience.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.