We are looking for an Assistant Director to assist Josh Roche on a theatre production of The Forsyte Saga – Parts One & Two, by John Galsworthy adapted by Shaun McKenna and Lin Coghlan 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 20th October 2025 to Saturday 10^th January 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 20^th October – 10^th November 2025
Stratford-upon-Avon Rehearsals: w/c 17^th November 2025
Tech from Friday 21^st November 2025

First Preview: Friday 28^th November 2025
Press Day: Friday 5^th December 2025
Final performance: Saturday 10^th January 2026

To be considered, it is essential that you have:

• Professional directing experience, including a minimum of three credits as director, associate director, or assistant director in a professional setting. 

You will:

• 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.
• Lead rehearsals as instructed by the Director.
• Support the Director with research in advance of rehearsals if necessary and respond to research requests as they arise in the rehearsal process.
• Attend all production meetings.
• 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.
• Maintain the standard of the production as set by the Director and keep the Director updated, including via show-watches throughout the run.
• Run special rehearsals such as line-throughs, dance clean up rehearsals etc.
• Make notes for the Director as instructed during rehearsals and tech. Share these notes with the Director.
• Assist the Casting Department with the final allocation of understudy roles.
• Rehearse the understudy company and keep a rehearsal 'book' and understudy cards to cover every possible understudy situation.
• Be a point of contact between assisted performances freelancers (Audio Describers, Captioners, BSL Interpreters) and the production and lead on rehearsals for Relaxed Performances.
• Support the well-being and morale of the acting company and share any concerns directly with the Director, Producer and Stage Manager as they arise.
• Support any press and marketing requests.
• Take part in additional activity which could include but are not limited to, Insight Sessions, Unwrapped Sessions, Post Show Talks, Trailers, Student Conferences, Workshops, one-off Concerts.

We will:

• Embed you within the wider RSC team giving you experience of working within a large organisation.
• 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.
• Facilitate introductions to key industry contacts as appropriate.
• Ensure you have regular catch ups with the Producer.
• Provide expense, where applicable, during rehearsals and the Production's run.
• Give you the opportunity to learn about our work Nationally with schools, teachers and young people.
• 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.
• Sign post any suitable external opportunities.
• Provide opportunities to participate in and/or lead additional activities in order to gain valuable experience of working with our audiences and young people.

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 Tuesday 12 August from 12pm to 1pm. 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. 

Application Process

To be considered, you will need to complete an online application form, which will include uploading your current CV. There will be an interview process in the week commencing 25 August 2025.  

All applications should be made online using the RSC website before midnight on Sunday 17 August 2025.

If you need any assistance when applying, please email jobs@rsc.org.uk

Please note that the role may close early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

About the RSC

The RSC strives for excellence, and values creativity, inclusivity, sustainability, collaboration, and accountability. 

We can offer great benefits and aim to create a welcoming, supportive environment which is happy, healthy and safe. We place great importance upon developing a diverse, highly motivated and energised workforce to help achieve our priorities. We put our values at the heart of everything we do.

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all individuals.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (no. 212481) is a registered charity.