Resident Assistant Director

Final date to receive applications: 26 October 2026

Department: Artistic

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Donmar Warehouse Office

Reporting To: Associate Artistic Director

Compensation: £30,900 / year

About the role:

The Resident Assistant Director (RAD) is an opportunity for an outstanding theatre director in the early stages of their career to be embedded at the Donmar for a year. The RAD will develop extensive skills, craft, and knowledge around directing; from casting, in rehearsals, through to the running of shows, working with directors and actors of the highest calibre. The RAD will also experience and contribute to the workings of one of the UK’s leading producing theatres and begin to cultivate skills as an artistic leader of the future.

The RAD scheme has been integral to the Donmar through its thirty four-year history. Former Resident Assistant Directors have gone on to become leading directors and artistic leaders.

Across the year, the RAD will spend the majority of their time assisting on productions. They will assist on a minimum of 4 shows. Primary duties include supporting the running of rehearsals, technical rehearsals and previews, and noting the show once it is running. They will balance their time with duties in the office as an integral part of the theatre staff.

The RAD will sit in the Artistic Team. They will be involved in literary duties, casting duties, and will contribute to programming meetings. In addition, there is the opportunity to learn from a range of departments e.g. marketing, development, producing.

This is an intensive full-time training role so it will not be possible to be released to work on major freelance projects outside of the contract. However, it is possible to use leave days for smaller projects e.g. readings, workshops. The role does include the possibility of directing a one-week R&D on a small-scale project. We recognize that candidates may have other commitments and encourage you to discuss anything that might impact availability at interview.

We are looking for a passionate
, ambitious
, highly self-motivated and driven individual who thrives in a busy and fast‑paced environment and who is interested in gaining a foundation in artistic leadership and the running of a building.

This is not an entry level position
. The role is intended as a bridge from assistant roles to associate / staff directing roles and making your own work as a director.

The aim of the role is to give a rounded experience of the different component parts of a busy producing theatre and to give an introduction to the skills and considerations of artistic leadership.

Terms: 12 months, full time, fixed terms

• Applications open: Monday 5 October 2026
• Applications close: Monday 26 October,
  9am
• First Interviews: w/c 16 November 2026 and w/c 23 November
• Second Interviews: w/c 07 December and w/c 14 December
• Tentative
  
  Start Date:
  
  February 2027

Working as an assistant director on productions, which includes:

• Supporting the director during rehearsals and with preliminary preparation.
• Supporting stage management with tasks and scheduling.
• Supporting the cast during rehearsals and through the run.
• Noting the production at least twice a week and feeding back to the director.
• A bridge between the office and the rehearsal room, feeding back to the Artistic Team.
• Managing production seat allocation during tech and previews.
• Attending post-show discussions, development events, as required.
• Work with understudies when required.

Working with the Artistic Team which includes:

• Reading scripts and feeding back in artistic meetings.
• Attending shows and reporting back.
• Some administration of scripts or correspondence.
• Contributing…