Applications Now Open until Sun 21 June

Sheffield Theatres are looking for a theatre director to take part in our Bank Director-in-Residence opportunity- an 18-month training and development residency at Sheffield Theatres from October 2026 to March 2028.

What will the Bank Director-in-Residence receive?

• An £18,000 bursary over 18 months

• The opportunity to work as Assistant Director or Associate Director on at least two productions

• Support to develop their own creative project at Sheffield Theatres

• Access to observe rehearsals, technical processes, and productions across the theatre

• A placement embedded within a large regional producing theatre as part of the Creative Development team

• Opportunities to direct rehearsed readings and recitals

• Involvement in artistic planning processes

• A comprehensive introduction to all departments, with opportunities to shadow teams of particular interest

• Mentorship from industry leaders, including a close working relationship with the Theatre’s Artistic Director

• Opportunities to observe dramaturgy, research and development (R&D), and casting processes

• Access to a dedicated workspace and invitations to key events, including press performances

We are looking for someone who:

• Has at least two years’ experience relevant to directing for the stage

• Demonstrates a clear commitment to a career as a director

• Can articulate why this opportunity is important at this stage in their career

• Lives within commuting distance of Sheffield Theatres

• Has sufficient availability throughout the residency to fully engage with the opportunity

• Is over 18

After consulting with artists ahead of announcing this opportunity, we have chosen not to specify a particular career stage. Instead, we invite applicants to self-identify how and why this opportunity is relevant to them at this point in their careers, rather than defining this on their behalf.

How to apply

To apply you must complete the Bank Director-in-Residence application form.

The form will ask for the below.

Written responses to the below prompts. Each response should be a maximum of 300 words.

• Why you?

• Why now?

• Why at Sheffield Theatres?

Supporting Materials

• A CV

• Two professional references- one of which must be from an actor that you have directed.

Interviews

Round One Interviews will take place at Sheffield Theatres on the week commencing Mon 13 July and will involve an interview.

Round Two Interviews will take place at Sheffield Theatres on Tue 11 August and will involve a directing exercise with actors and an interview. Round Two Interviewees will be financially compensated for their time.

Applications are open now and will close at midnight on Sun 21 June.

Learn more and FAQs

There will be a Q&A session with Elizabeth Newman (Artistic Director) as part of our May 2026 Artist Cafe event at Sheffield Theatres. Subscribe to our Making Room Newsletter to learn how to join us for the event.

After the Q&A, an FAQs section will be added to this page.