Directing

“The only way to learn how to direct a play, is … to get a group of actors simple enough to allow you to let you direct them, and direct.” Sir Tyrone Guthrie

There are very few undergraduate theatre directing courses – in fact only two are dedicated to directing from day one – Rose Bruford and Drama Centre London, part of University of the Arts. At Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, you can specialise in directing in your final year, having initially studied their broader based drama and theatre degree.

A directing course will give you experience of assistant directing and directing productions and aims to prepare you for life as a theatre director. Along the way, you will experience working with lighting designers, theatre designers, actors, musicians and stage managers.

It is unlikely that many people currently working as directors studied theatre directing as an undergraduate.

Postgraduate courses

Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) offers a one year postgraduate diploma for two students each year and there are directing MAs at Central School of Speech and Drama, East 15, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, University of Dundee, University of East London, Drama Centre London, Birkeck College London and Rose Bruford.

Other opportunities

Every year the National Theatre studio theatre holds a prestigious three-week directors’ course for up to 14 talented young directors as well as masterclasses throughout the year.

Bursaries for young directors

The Bulldog Prinsep Theatrical Foundation bursary
Cohen Directors’ Bursary
JMK Trust’s young theatre director award
4 Theatre Director Scheme

Where can I study this?