Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme

30/09/2026

We’re thrilled to share some ✨ BIG NEWS FROM US AT RTYDS ✨

We’re so excited to be announcing our new home at The Engine Room Wigan, alongside ThickSkin, as part of a collective ambition to make Wigan a regional producing hub, supported by Wigan Council.

We're also sharing that RTYDS will become an Associate Company of Factory International in Manchester and Bush Theatre in London. These partnerships mark an exciting new chapter for us and strengthen Fair Play, our flagship programme funded by Arts Council England - opening up new opportunities for working class directors across the country.

We’re grateful for the support shown by our partners, and for the recognition of what this work can unlock.

As Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said:
“We know that artistic talent can be found everywhere, but opportunity is not. That’s why schemes like this are so important. The Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme will not only up opportunities in theatre for local people, it will champion working-class artists, inspire more creative careers and break down barriers for young people across our borough.”

We want to position Fair Play as the national leader in class equity conversations and these partnerships move us closer to that ambition. We’re excited for what this next phase will make possible across England and beyond - strengthening RTYDS’s role as a national leader in class equity conversations and driving forward a more equitable future for theatre.

Read more on our website: https://www.rtyds.co.uk/news/new-company-partnerships/

📸 Darren Robinson Photographer

(L-R) John McGrath, Artistic Director & CEO Factory International; Laura Mallows, Executive Director and Co-CEO ThickSkin; Neil Bettles, Artistic Director and Co-CEO ThickSkin; Manli Siu, Programme Producer RTYDS; Neil Harris, Business Manager for Culture, Arts & Heritage at Wigan Council; Sue Emmas, Artistic Director and CEO RTYDS; Taio Lawson, Artistic Director and Co-CEO Bush Theatre; Holly Aston, Executive Director RTYDS; Caitriona Shoobridge, Co-Creative Lead RTYDS Fair Play; Angela Wachner, Executive Director and Co-CEO Bush Theatre

25/06/2026

We're looking for new Trustees to join our Board!

Are you committed to addressing the barriers experienced by working class and low socio-economic artists to ensure they can sustain careers and thrive in the theatre industry?

Find out more and apply on our website: www.rtyds.co.uk/jobs

Closing date: 12 noon, Monday 20 July 2026

11/06/2026

Here we are - the final episode of Artists Talk, featuring Zara Marie Brown, Matthew Dunster, Liam Gillies and Nuala Maguire.

It’s been a total dream to be able to fill our feeds with these amazing working class artists over the past ten weeks.

Along with our four Class Assembly Legacy audio monologues, we’ve shared the voices and experiences of 42 working class directors and theatre makers.

Keep watching, commenting, sharing - and let’s keep the momentum going for working class equity!

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The final episode of Artists Talk featuring Zara Brown, Matthew Dun...

04/06/2026

A new episode of Artists Talk is here, and that means six more working class artists on our feeds 🙌

Featuring Jodie Cole, Shogo Amo, Rachel Valentine Smith, Sean Croft, Grant Foxon and Neil R Haigh

Watch episode six:

Featuring Jodie Cole, Shogo Amo, Rachel Valentine Smith, Sean Croft...

28/05/2026

ARTISTS TALK EPISODE 5

Let’s talk about privilege, industry connections, accents, presumptions, the responsibility that working class leaders carry, and what we’ll lose if theatre isn’t a viable or sustainable option for working class artists.

Featuring Natasha Kathi-Chandra, Alys Beider, Lilly Driscoll, Sam Edmunds, Martha Simon, Kane John Mills and Russell Bolam.

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Featuring Natasha Kathi-Chandra, Alys Beider, Lilly Driscoll, Sam Edmunds, Martha Simon, Kane John Mills and Russell Bolam.

21/05/2026

“We need more of everything and everyone all the time. Nothing is in competition with itself or one another. We need to have equitable spaces.”

In episode 4 of Artists Talk, André Agius, Connor Goodwin, Debbie Hannan, Florence Espeut-Nickless, Lauren Mooney and Yusra Warsama make the case for more of everything.

More stories from writers with a rich understanding of working class culture, more working class leaders, more transparency, and more ways for working class artists to thrive in the industry.

Watch the full episode 👇

Artists Talk We're continuing our dedication to platforming working class voices within the theatre industry by introducing Fair Play: Artists Talk. We are platforming artists talking about what it’s like being a working-class artist

07/05/2026

“When you work in theatre as a working-class person, it almost feels impossible to escape that word and the fact you will be perceived in that way.”

These thoughts and more in episode three of Artists Talk featuring Anastazie Toros, Chris Sonnex, Melissa Dunne, Reece Lyons and Shereen Jasmin Phillips.

Don’t miss out on these working class artists’ insights - watch the first three episodes on our website

Artists Talk We're continuing our dedication to platforming working class voices within the theatre industry by introducing Fair Play: Artists Talk. We are platforming artists talking about what it’s like being a working-class artist

30/04/2026

ARTISTS TALK: EPISODE 2 is here!

In this episode we have the mighty Taio Lawson, Misha Duncan Barry, Rachel Stockdale, Faye Draper and Ed Gaughan sharing their thoughts.

Plus some hot takes from a tyrannical toad who’s very good at accents… iykyk.

CREDITS
Co-Creative Leads for Fair Play: Stef O'Driscoll & Caitriona Shoobridge
Editing & Asset Creation: Holly Adomah

Fair Play: Artists Talk - Episode 02

28/04/2026

We’re delighted to announce that Holly Aston has joined the RTYDS team as Executive Director.

Holly says: “I’m thrilled to join RTYDS as Executive Director, to support and champion their values-led programme Fair Play, advocating for a theatre industry where working-class leaders are recognised, developed and nurtured.”

RTYDS Artistic Director, Sue Emmas says: “Holly is a great addition to the team and brings a wealth of knowledge, energy and insight. She will undoubtedly help us deliver Fair Play and bring the sector change we are working towards.”

Click below to read the news story our website:

We’re delighted to announce that Holly Aston has joined the RTYDS team as Executive Director. Holly Aston says: “I’m thrilled to join RTYDS as Executive Director, to support and champion their values-led programme Fair Play, advocating for a theatre industry where working-class leaders are rec...

23/04/2026

We’re buzzing to launch Artists Talk today – seven episodes where artists open up about what it’s like being a working-class artist today, the realities and what matters to them.

Social class is often the elephant in the room in the industry but we want to begin these much-needed conversations, and celebrate working class voices and experiences.

From today we’re releasing an episode a week of Artists Talk and the first one is an absolute beaut, featuring brilliant artists Dermot Daly, Emily Collins, Jimmy Fairhurst, Namoo Chae Lee, and Travis Alabanza.

Watch in full on our website or on our YouTube channel

Fair Play: Artists Talk - Episode 01