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- Tasks: Assist the Director in rehearsals and maintain production quality during the run.
- Company: Join the Royal Shakespeare Company, a leader in professional theatre known for creativity and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, network with industry professionals, and receive support for your professional development.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team, engage with classical texts, and contribute to impactful performances.
- Qualifications: Must have professional directing experience with at least three credits in the last three years.
- Other info: Attend a virtual drop-in session to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Assistant Director – The Constant Wife – Feb 2025
We are looking for an Assistant Director to assist Tamara Harvey on a professional theatre production of The Constant Wife by W. Somerset Maugham in a new version by Laura Wade, in the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Assistant Director will support the Director throughout the rehearsal process, support access performances, understudy rehearsals (including technical and dress rehearsal) and will maintain the production during the run.
The engagement will run from Monday 12 May to Saturday 2 August 2025. During this period, you would be contracted exclusively to the RSC on a full-time basis. The terms of the engagement will be covered by the RSC/EQUITY Agreement.
Key dates include:
- London Rehearsals: w/c 12 May to w/c 2 June 2025
- Stratford-upon-Avon Rehearsals: w/c 9 June 2025
- Tech from Monday 16 June 2025
- First Preview: Friday 20 June 2025
- Press Night: Tuesday 1 July 2025
- Final performance: Saturday 2 August 2025
To be considered, it is essential that you have:
- Professional directing experience, including a minimum of three credits as director, associate director, or assistant director in a professional setting in the last three years, excluding student work.
- An understanding of and interest in classical text and comedy.
You will:
- Play an active part in the creative process, understanding the vision and intention of the production, and identifying opportunities to enrich it as the production is made.
- Lead rehearsals as instructed by the Director.
- Support the Director with research in advance of rehearsals if necessary and respond to research requests as they arise in the rehearsal process.
- Attend all production meetings.
- Assist the Director as needed. Attend all rehearsals, taking notes and actively watching and listening, representing the audience in the room. Communicate regularly with the Director regarding the progress of the production.
- Maintain the standard of the production as set by the Director and keep the Director updated, including via show-watches throughout the run.
- Run special rehearsals such as line-throughs, dance clean up rehearsals etc.
- Make notes for the Director as instructed during rehearsals and tech. Share these notes with the Director.
- Assist the Casting Department with the final allocation of understudy roles.
- Rehearse the understudy company and keep a rehearsal ‘book’ and understudy cards to cover every possible understudy situation.
- Be a point of contact between assisted performances freelancers (Audio Describers, Captioners, BSL Interpreters) and the production and lead on rehearsals for Relaxed Performances.
- Support the well-being and morale of the acting company and share any concerns directly with the Director, Producer and Stage Manager as they arise.
- Support any press and marketing requests.
- Take part in additional activity which could include but are not limited to; Insight Sessions, Unwrapped Sessions, Post Show Talks, Trailers, Student Conferences, Workshops, one-off Concerts.
We will:
- Embed you within the wider RSC team giving you experience of working within a large organisation.
- Help develop your professional development plan and offer development opportunities where needed for the production. This may also include wider projects such as play readings, script workshops and literary projects.
- Facilitate introductions to key industry contacts as appropriate.
- Ensure you have regular catch ups with the Producer.
- Provide expenses, where applicable, during rehearsals and the production’s run.
- Give you the opportunity to learn about our work Nationally with schools, teachers and young people.
- Provide an opportunity to work on, and gain a greater insight into, Assisted Performances which could include Audio Described, Captioned, Relaxed and performances with an integrated BSL Interpreter.
- Sign post any suitable external opportunities.
- Provide opportunities to participate in and/or lead additional activities in order to gain valuable experience of working with our audiences and young people.
Additional information:
If you would like to find out more about the opportunity and meet some of the team then join us at our virtual drop-in session on Thursday 20 February from 1pm to 2pm. If you are interested in attending, please email stating “Assistant Director drop-in session” in the subject line and we will send you a link to join.
Application Process:
To be considered, you will need to complete an online application form, which will include uploading your current CV. There will be an interview process in the weeks commencing 10 and 25 March 2025.
All applications should be made online using the RSC website before midnight on Sunday 2 March 2025.
If you need any assistance when applying, please email
About the RSC:
The RSC strives for excellence, and values creativity, inclusivity, sustainability, collaboration, and accountability.
We can offer great benefits and aim to create a welcoming, supportive environment which is happy, healthy and safe. We place great importance upon developing a diverse, highly motivated and energised workforce to help achieve our priorities. We put our values at the heart of everything we do.
We are committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all individuals.
The Royal Shakespeare Company (no. 212481) is a registered charity.
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Assistant Director - The Constant Wife employer: ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
Contact Detail:
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director - The Constant Wife
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the play 'The Constant Wife' and its themes. Understanding the nuances of the text will not only help you during rehearsals but also show your genuine interest in the production.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the theatre industry, especially those who have worked with the RSC or on similar productions. Building connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Attend the virtual drop-in session mentioned in the job description. This is a great opportunity to meet the team, ask questions, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your previous directing experiences in detail during the interview. Highlight specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director - The Constant Wife
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Assistant Director position. Familiarize yourself with the production, 'The Constant Wife', and its themes to demonstrate your genuine interest.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your professional directing experience prominently in your CV. Include specific examples of your work as a director, associate director, or assistant director, especially those relevant to classical texts and comedy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for theatre and your understanding of the production. Discuss how your experience aligns with the role and how you can contribute to the creative process.
Prepare for the Interview: Anticipate questions related to your previous directing experiences and your approach to supporting a director. Be ready to discuss how you would handle various rehearsal scenarios and support access performances.
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
✨Show Your Directing Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous directing roles in detail. Highlight specific projects where you played a key role, especially those that align with classical texts or comedy, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Understand the Production's Vision
Familiarize yourself with 'The Constant Wife' and its themes. Demonstrating an understanding of the play's vision and how you can contribute creatively will impress the interviewers.
✨Communicate Effectively
Emphasize your communication skills, especially in how you plan to keep the Director updated on the production's progress. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with directors and teams in the past.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Think about potential challenges you might face during rehearsals or performances, such as managing understudies or coordinating with freelancers. Be ready to discuss how you would handle these situations effectively.
