Today, Friday 13^th May, 2011, the National Theatre of Scotland and Bank of Scotland launch a pioneering project to seek out and encourage the development of new theatre directors.

The New Directors Placement Programme will offer three Scottish/Scotland based, emerging theatre directors the opportunity to each become an Assistant Director on a major new production for the National Theatre of Scotland.

Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to develop their skills on the following 2011 National Theatre of Scotland productions:

The Missing a new project by Andrew O’Hagan, directed by John Tiffany

Tues 20 Sept – Sat 1 Oct, Tramway, Glasgow

A radical theatrical adaptation of Andrew O’Hagan’s novel of the same name, merging reportage, social history and memory in an exploration of missing persons from 1970s Glasgow to the grim findings in Gloucester of the 1990s. One of the UK’s most original, moving and beautifully written non-fiction works, The Missing marked the acclaimed debut of one of Britain’s most astute and important writers.

27 a new play by Abi Morgan, directed by Vicky Featherstone

In a co-production with the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, Sat 22 Oct – Sat 12 Nov

In writer Abi Morgan’s new work for the National Theatre of Scotland, 27, we are offered a meditation on religious faith and the question of what the future may hold for any or all of us. The play finds its characters cloistered in a convent existence, the nature of their monastic minds the focus of a study brought in from the outside. A team of American scientists approach the nuns to see if they’ll take part in a project on Alzheimer’s and the process of ageing. It’s a very particular study into the brains of the nuns after their deaths. It’s a study of faith, love and miracles.

“I read an amazing book called Aging With Grace by Dr David Snowdon,” Abi Morgan says. “He is a scientist based in America who has been conducting this study over several convents across America.”  A chance meeting with nuns on a train provided Morgan with a personal experience that helped provide a social context for the play’s concerns.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted, designed and directed by Graham McLaren

A boutique re-telling of one of the world’s best-loved winter fables. A new adaptation of Dickens’ Christmas ghost story whose timeless message will be brought exquisitely to life by actors accompanied by eerie puppets from the workshop of master puppeteer Gavin Glover.

The New Director initiative is taking place as part Pioneering Partnership – a new sponsorship connecting Bank of Scotland and the National Theatre of Scotland in a relationship across a wide range of National Theatre of Scotland programme elements over two years.  The partnership offers geographic spread and reach across productions, initiatives, workshops and events particularly in the area of supporting creativity and emerging talent.   In Year 1 (2011) the elements of Bank of Scotland Pioneering Partnership will include support of:

• Dunsinane by David Greig
• Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart
• The Missing by Andrew O’Hagan
• Autumn rural tour of Tall Tales for Small Folk and Calum’s Road in partnership with Communicado
• Emerging Artist Attachment Programme –  4 artists per year
• New Director Placement Programme – 3 placements of 10 weeks per year
• First Nights – a pioneering  initiative to introduce young people with no experience of the arts to theatre
• This activity will be accompanied by a programme of Theatre Workshops for Business events and Introduction to Theatre family events

Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director, National Theatre of Scotland said: “This programme supported by Bank of Scotland is a vital step in our mission to make the best possible theatre in Scotland. Homegrown directors with a wealth of experience and talent are the key to creating a sustainable and world-renowned theatre culture. This opportunity is an important part of that journey.”

Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland says: “We are delighted to support the New Directors initiative with the National Theatre of Scotland.  This innovative scheme is a fantastic demonstration of Bank of Scotland’s wider sponsorship strategy of supporting emerging talent across Scotland. This shared objective of nurturing new talent is just one reason why the partnership with National Theatre of Scotland is a perfect fit for Bank of Scotland, and we are very excited to see the next generation of theatre directors benefit from the on-site experience and advice that this programme will provide.”

Interested parties are invited to download a Job Pack by visiting: www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/jobs

The closing date for applications is 10am on Tuesday 31 May 2011.

Successful candidates will be announced mid June, 2011.

Source: National Theatre of Scotland