We are looking for an Assistant Director to assist Seán Linnen on a theatre production of – by Bertolt Brecht (updated by Stephen Sharkey) 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 23 February to 30 May 2026. 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 23 February – w/c 23 March 2026
Stratford-upon-Avon Rehearsals: w/c 30 March
Tech from Tuesday 7 April
First Preview: Saturday 11 April
Press Performance: Tuesday 21 April
Final performance: Saturday 30 May
To be considered, it is essential that you have:
1. Professional directing experience, including a minimum of three credits as director, associate director, or assistant director in a professional setting.
You will (please see the full job description and person specification for the comprehensive list):
2. 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.
3. Lead rehearsals as instructed by the Director.
4. Support the Director with research in advance of rehearsals if necessary and respond to research requests as they arise in the rehearsal process.
5. Attend all production meetings.
6. 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.
7. Maintain the standard of the production as set by the Director and keep the Director updated, including via show-watches throughout the run.
8. Make notes for the Director as instructed during rehearsals and tech. Share these notes with the Director.
9. Rehearse the understudy company and keep a rehearsal 'book' and understudy cards to cover every possible understudy situation.
We will:
10. Embed you within the wider RSC team giving you experience of working within a large organisation.
11. 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.
12. Facilitate introductions to key industry contacts as appropriate.
13. Ensure you have regular catch ups with the Producer.
14. 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.
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 Friday 7 November, at 2.30pm. If you are interested in attending, please email jobs@rsc.org.uk stating “Assistant Director drop-in session” in the subject line and we will send you a link to join.