Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School Artistic Director Thank you for your interest in the post of Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School Artistic Director. The contents of this pack include: Information about Theatre Royal Bath, The egg and the Theatre School A job description A person specification Application form Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form Terms and Conditions How to Apply Please complete the application form. Please refer directly to the job description and person specification in your application. Do not enclose a CV with your application. Please also complete the Equality & Diversity Monitoring form and return with your application. This will be separated from your application before shortlisting. Your application should be addressed to: Lindsay Baker, General Manager, the egg. Please submit your application by email to: Lindsay.baker@theatreroyal.org.uk OR You can submit your application by post to: Lindsay Baker, Theatre Royal Bath, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET The closing date for applications is Monday 9th July. Receipt of your application will be confirmed by email. Interviews scheduled for: 24 th July Second round of interviews: 2 nd August We look forward to hearing from you.
BACKGROUND TO THE THEATRE ROYAL BATH (TRB) The Theatre Royal Bath is one of the oldest theatres operating in the country. Built in 1805, the theatre burned down in 1862 and was rebuilt in 1863. The TRB was the first theatre outside London to be granted a Royal Charter. In 1979, after several changes of ownership, the TRB was turned into a charitable trust, thanks to the generosity and foresight of the then owner, Jeremy Fry. Jeremy retained his links with the theatre as President of Bath Theatre Trust until his death in 2006. The TRB was extensively refurbished in 1981/2 and emerged in the 80s and 90s as one of the country s leading touring dates, presenting 46 weeks of varied drama, comedy, dance, opera and musicals along with a six-week family pantomime over the Christmas period. At the heart of TRB programming is high quality drama, for which it delivers the highest audience figures for any comparable theatre in the country. The Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre are regular visitors and pre and post West End productions make up the balance of the commercial strand of the theatre s programme. TRB also presents Arts Council subsidised companies such as English Touring Opera and Kneehigh. Other regular visitors include Carl Rosa Opera, Moscow City Ballet, Rambert and Headlong. In 1998, the TRB established its own production company, Theatre Royal Bath Productions, to produce and co-produce work to present at the TRB, tour and when applicable, transfer into the West End and tour overseas. Theatre Royal Bath Productions has now produced in excess of 200 productions, which are now a regular fixture on the Number One touring circuit, with recent productions transferring to London s Vaudeville Theatre, Savoy Theatre, The Duke of York s Theatre, the Duchess Theatre and the Old Vic. In addition, Theatre Royal Bath Productions has toured productions to the US, Hong Kong, and Australia. In summer 2003 the Theatre Royal Bath mounted the first summer residency by the Peter Hall Company. The residency consists of three companies of actors presenting five plays. The Residency continued annually until 2012, when it was replaced in 2017 by a 10 week Summer Season curated and presented by Jonathon Church. In 1997 the TRB opened a second space, the Ustinov Studio. Seating 145 and equipped to a high specification, the Ustinov became the region s leading venue for the presentation of innovative and cutting edge theatre, dance and physical theatre. The Ustinov Studio has recently undergone a spectacular refurbishment with improved auditorium, bar/foyer and technical facilities and under the distinguished Artistic Direction of Lawrence Boswell has attracted a national reputation for producing UK Premiers of contemporary plays from European and American writers, some of which have remounted for West End appearances. In October 2005, TRB opened The Egg a theatre for children and young people, situated in a Grade 2 listed building adjacent to the theatre. The Egg Mission The egg theatre produces and presents exceptional theatrical experiences that entertain and inspire young people. It aims to be a place of innovation, imagination and learning, where theatre for and with young people is invented and reinvented every day.
The egg is one of the country s leading theatres dedicated to children and young people. Since opening in 2005, the egg has presented over 600 plays, hosted hundreds of theatre companies, and introduced thousands of young people to live theatre. The egg has a distinctive style of its own, containing a ground floor café, run by an external contractor, a state-of-the-art and welcoming auditorium, roof-top rehearsal room, workshop and dressing rooms. The egg programmes 40 different professional productions each year for audiences aged 0-18, more than any other venue in the UK. Some of these productions are created under the aegis of the egg s Artist and Idea development Programme The Incubator. Here, ideas are given space and time to creatively develop before being presented to an audience of industry colleagues as work-in-progress performances at the Incubator Showcase. Many of these projects have gone on to receive public subsidy and co-producing funds for national tour or internal subsidy as Christmas Productions. These include: 16 Singers (a co-production with Dance Umbrella, a show for babies) Kid Carpet and the Noisy Neighbours Little Sure Shot (a musical co-production with West Yorkshire Playhouse, Iolo Theatre and Mac Belfast) Rumpelstiltskin (remounted at Mac Belfast and twice by amateur companies) Strollercoaster (an outdoor show for babies by Bureau of Silly Ideas) Snow Mouse (now in its 4 th year, after a 12 week national tour) One Item Only (still touring) Little Mermaid (produced in association with Pins and Needles) I Wish I Was A Mountain (Co-produced with Travelling Light and commissioned by Imaginate; still touring) The egg s Creative Learning team works with many schools to extend the role that cultural venues play in education. Recently, the egg partnered with Bath College to deliver the level 3 in Performing Arts; the Bath Academy. In addition, the Creative Learning team fosters careers in the arts through apprenticeships, an MA in Theatre for Young Audiences in partnership with Bath Spa University, the Theatre school and a thriving Creative Learning programme for adults. The egg receives core funding from the Theatre Royal Bath, whose commercial activity through TRB Productions enables it to support its charitable work on an annual basis. The additional projects such as School Without Walls, The Incubator and Egg Productions receive funding from trusts, foundations and Grants for the Arts while the adult programme is funded by a legacy. Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School The Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School is a place where members can be inspired by participating in theatre-making workshops, performing in shows, and developing production skills. Driven by an inclusivity ethos, the Theatre School aims to provide a place of learning for professional theatre practice and personal development for ages 5-18. The Youth theatre has been part of the TRB for over 30 years. Previously Young People s Theatre it was rebranded as the Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School for the egg s 10 th Birthday in 2015. Since its rebranding it has produced 11 full scale productions, as well as an intergenerational festival of new writing consisting of 30 new plays.
Typically performing in the egg s spaces, the Theatre School has aimed to produce a balance of both devised and scripted work. Past productions have included: Enron, Antigone, The Billy-Club Puppets and Bedbug the latter of which transferred to the National Theatre for NT Connections 2016. Produced by the Theatre School but open to non-members, Summer Company also plays a key role in the Theatre School s calendar. Set over 3 weeks in August, 40 teenagers experience life as a resident theatre company supported by a professional production team. Launching in 2016 with a specially adapted version of The Hound of the Baskervilles, the project has seen two sell-out runs, with Vanity Fair set to be performed later this year. JOB DESCRIPTION The Role The core function of the Artistic Director is to achieve and maintain a high standard of excellence for the artistic programme of the Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School. You will be an advocate for inclusivity and equality, as well as a mentor, leader and collaborator. The Artistic Director will create working environments in which members strive to take creative risks, while developing as both theatre-makers and rounded human beings. In order to uphold these ideals, while bringing your own artistic vision and skillset - the Artistic Director will plan and deliver the majority of the weekly Theatre School sessions, as well as directing all major Theatre School productions. Although a lot of your teaching and rehearsal hours will take place during the evenings and at weekends, the Artistic Director is very much part of the Egg Department working alongside and embracing members of the Creative Learning, Artist Development, programming and management teams. The role of the Artistic Director is a unique position. It can grow, be shaped by and develop within the boundaries of the Theatre School, which provides a fertile ground for personal experimentation and artistic development. Responsibilities Working closely with the Theatre School s Executive Director to plan the overall artistic programme of work across the Theatre School. To include Theatre School produced productions and designing termly curriculums for young people aged 5-18. To deliver the majority of all Theatre School sessions per term and work with the Executive Director to source/recommend the relevant practitioners for the remaining sessions. To direct the Theatre School s main productions. This will be rehearsed during a weekly evening slot, Sundays and half term. As well as Summer Company s August production. To work with the Executive Director to find ways of sharing the artistic vision of the Theatre School, with the parents of its members. To work with the Executive Director to find effective and appropriate ways of attracting new members and retaining the enthusiasm of existing members.
To maintain a high level of nationwide knowledge of other youth theatres, stage schools, theatre schools, etc. and draw inspiration and guidance from this knowledge. To develop opportunities and create external national and international partnerships for all members of the Theatre School and other young people who access the egg programmes, organising visits and trips where appropriate. To take responsibility for artistic development and creative supervision of all of the Theatre Schools artistic freelancers. To undertake effective and appropriate evaluation across all of the Theatre School s operations. To work with the egg staff to develop and promote the egg s aims, policies and business plan. To be aware of and comply with Child Safeguarding and Health and Safety issues relating to the department s work. To attend regular department meetings. To adhere to budgets as set by the Executive Director and Director of the egg and abide by the financial systems and practices laid out by the TRB Finance Department. PERSON SPECIFICATION This person specification is required to enable you to complete your application form addressing the following requirements. Please make specific reference to the person specifications when completing the Skills, Abilities and Experience section in your application form. Knowledge Knowledge of a wide range of theatrical and artistic genres Knowledge of British and International texts Knowledge of British theatre scene Knowledge of the British Youth Theatre sector Knowledge of theatre production processes and functions Current knowledge and understanding of the education sector Skills Directing productions to a high artistic and professional standard, showing strong collaboration and leadership skills within this process Able to plan and run a variety of high quality theatre workshops to young people of all ages, demonstrating application of a variety of genres Mentorship of young people
Programming plays and projects across a calendar year appropriate to the age of cast and audience Demonstrate sound communication skills, both written and verbal Demonstrate convincing dramaturgy skills Computer literate Administration skills Copy writing Experience At least three years experience of and including any combination of: directing productions and projects working within a professional building based theatre company working in the field of youth theatre directing in a variety of theatre and non-theatre spaces Leading, planning and developing youth theatre based sessions for a variety of ages Experience of producing plays and working with writers, designers, technicians, production management staff and other arts practitioners Practical and developmental experience of working with schools, colleges and community groups Qualifications Educated to degree level in an arts related subject. Or at least 3 years working in an arts based organisation Further professional training as an actor or director Driving (full and clean licence) Personal Qualities Creative and innovative Artistic flair Be able to work on your own and as part of a team Organisational flair A sense of humour
Passion for and commitment to working with young people Happy and able to consistently work evenings and weekends Identifies as having one of the nine protected characteristics TERMS AND CONDITIONS Salary: circa 22k Probationary period: 10 weeks One Theatre School term Hours: A full time role based on a 40-hour week. During term time days of work will typically be Monday Thursday evenings, as well as Sunday and half term rehearsals. Reporting to: Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School Executive Director The education office is situated in the main theatre building, at street level. There are 7 steps leading up to these offices. The main rehearsal space is situated in the Roper Room on the 4 th floor of the egg theatre. There is a lift that covers all floors. The egg theatre is fully wheelchair accessible.