New Vic Theatre Resident Assistant Director

New Vic Theatre Resident Assistant Director Recruitment Pack 2026New Vic Theatre Resident Assistant DirectorA rare opportunity to spend six months in residency at a busy building-based theatre, supporting one of the New Vic’s ‘legendary’ Christmasproductions whilst gaining experience of regional producing theatre.In brief: the New Vic The New Vic is a mid-scale theatre, seating 600 in our in-the-round auditorium. Weproduce seven in- house shows a year, maintaining full craft and productiondepartments, and collaborate with other theatres across the country. Our threeoutreach departments are dedicated to education; social justice; and increasingengagement with the arts. Based in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire we serveour Borough, the city of Stoke-on-Trent and the wider county. Increasingly our workfinds a national and even international platform.  In brief: the role This is an opportunity to assist artistic director Theresa Heskins on the New Vic’s2026 Christmas production of The Borrowers. It’s an ideal opportunity for a directorlooking to gain knowledge of working within a complex organisation. Keyresponsibilities include assisting the Director in rehearsals; rehearsing understudies;and maintaining the production over its 10-week run. Our ideal candidate hasprevious experience of assist directing professional actors and an interest in makingwork for families and young people. We require someone who can confidently leada rehearsal room and has a desire to take more responsibility in terms of managingand supporting show staff and a large acting company. The salary for this post is £32,383 per year pro rata.In brief: recruitment process Please complete the application form and return it torecruitment@newvictheatre.org.uk using the subject line Assistant Director post byMonday 18 May 2026 at 5pm. Interviews will provisionally be held on 1 and 2 Juneby Zoom and seconds on 11 June at the New Vic (travel expenses paid).NEW VIC THEATRE Our mission is to make excellent theatre-in-the- round and be a force for positive changein our region. Our business plan outlines ourvision for: A thriving theatre which makes a significant impact locally whilst enjoying a national profile – sharing positive stories about our area with the rest of the country. A cultural centre which uses theatre in all its forms – pure, applied, participative – to increase aspiration and enhance health and wellbeing, and help shape a place to live, work and do business in. A creation centre which makes distinctive theatre in distinctive spaces, nurturing artists and our artform to increase engagement with the arts, especially for young people. A hub of super-connectivity, partnering with local, national and international organisations to deliver quality, value and mutual benefit. An entrepreneurial charity which ensures our work has a long term future underpinned by a strong and resilient business model. The New Vic The New Vic is a 600 seat theatre. Built in 1986, it was thefirst purpose-built theatre-in-the-round in all of Europe.One of the country's most successful producing theatresand a key part of the region's cultural life, we engage with180,000 people each year. We explore new and exciting theatre through a continuedprogramme of investment in artistic development. Our busyprogramme includes both award-winning, in-house workand touring productions. We deliver a programme of high quality theatre made withlocal audiences in mind, complemented by an award-winning community programme, and education work whichalone reaches around 25,000 people of all ages per year.We recognise our responsibility to provide tangible returnsfor the public nvestment we receive, and therefore seekthrough all our work to help make the local community abetter, safer and more inspiring place to live and work.Theatre-in-the-round is a democratic ideology. It radiatesthrough all our work ensuring that the local communities ofStaffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have a sense of ownershipand engage with the theatre at every level.  As one of only afew local arts organisations, our award-winning New VicBorderlines, and New Vic Education ensure we are key to the cultural life of the region.  Alongside this the theatreleads Appetite, an Arts Council England Creative People &Places programme, to engage more people with the arts.We are committed to making a real difference in a post-industrial community that experiences significantdeprivation. ‘The New Vic is doing everything aregional theatre should’Sunday Times on Marvellous  Recent achievements include The Princess and the Pea transfer to New York andthe Southbank Centre; The Company of Wolves co-directors Theresa Heskins andVicki Amedume’s UK Theatre Best Director nomination; Marvellous opening theWest End’s Soho Place; Tom, Dick & Harry transfer to Alexandra Palace; Aroundthe World in 80 Days transfer to New York and Florida. ‘Brings fresh thrills to familiar material and promises to enchant audiences’ The Stage on The Little Mermaid‘A buoyant, comical clowning adventure’ The Stage on The Princess and the Pea‘A thrilling take on Angela Carter’s cult classic’The Telegraph on The Company of Wolves‘full of wow-factor, a life-affirming treat’ The Telegraph on Marvellous‘Magic’New York Times Critic’s Pick Around the World in 80 Days‘A play as creative as the escape itself’ The Evening Standard on Tom, Dick and Harry‘This superb promenade production’The Guardian on Coppelia: A Mystery ‘Stupidly ambitious and gorgeously inventive’ The Guardian on Astley’s Astounding Adventures‘a superlative theatremaker’ The Telegraph on Theresa Heskins ‘a superlative theatremaker’ The Telegraph on Theresa Heskins ThePost  You will become a part of the New Vic’s team of directors includingArtistic Director Theresa Heskins, Associate Director Vicki Amedume andStaff Director Polly Wain. You will work alongside our artistic director to deliver and then maintainour festive production of The Borrowers. First staged in 2015, TheBorrowers returns to the New Vic as part of our 40th Anniversaryprogramme. It’s one of our most beloved Christmas productions,bursting with magical storytelling, original music performed live andheart-racing adventure. You will gain an understanding of creating work for regional audiences,develop your craft, confidence and knowledge to progress to the nextstage of your career.Although this post will offer significant professional development, it isnot a training role. Your primary objective is to ensure that the work ofthe New Vic Theatre is seen at its best by all audiences. You will supportNew Vic staff, show staff, and the acting company throughoutrehearsals, tech, and performance of The Borrowers. You should onlyapply if you know you can dedicate yourself to this theatre, to ouraudiences and to our vision for the entire period. This role will allow you to take advantage of opportunities within theNew Vic to enhance knowledge and experience. For example, thechance to observe Not Too Tame’s production of Romeo & Juliet andRachel Shenton’s Gladstone Girls as they are brought to the stage, andthe opportunity to connect with the New Vic’s Education andBorderlines departments. Additional duties are outlined in the job specification. Previous New Vic Assistant Directors JAMES DACRE Former Artistic Director, Northampton Theatres ANNA MARSLAND RSC Staff Director; National Associate; The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart New Vic POPPY ROWLEY Grounded at Adelaide Fringe BRYN HOLDING Derby Playhouse Cinderella; Big Big Sky New Vic   BRYONY SHANAHAN Former Co-Artistic Director, Manchester Royal Exchange; now Traverse Theatre ELLIE TAYLOR The Worst Witch Associate; Play for the Living Headlong/Barbican/New Vic ANNA POOLE RSC and National Theatre Staff Director DAN HUTTON Author, Towards A Civic Theatre FILIZ OZCAN Artistic Director, Jumped Up Theatre MANDEEP GLOVER RSC Assistant Director POLLY WAIN Currently New Vic Staff Director Assistant Director Job Specification Based New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Reporting to Artistic Director Assist the director in the rehearsal room and techSupport rehearsals and techConduct researchSupervise rehearsal, when requiredAttend production meetingsPrepare the understudy strategyMaintain the quality of production:Attend all warm upsWatch the show at pre-agreed intervals Note the actors as necessaryUpdate the director Liaise with the Company ManagerRehearse understudiesBrief and support cast and show team in event of an understudyperformanceAdditional duties:Research and development for future New Vic productionsCreate visual storyboardsManage relaxed performances of New Vic showsAs with all New Vic employees the Assistant Director will:Abide by all New Vic policies and proceduresBe a positive advocate for the New VicUndertake any other duties as may reasonably be requested bythe Artistic Director or other relevant member of staffPerson specification Essential skills and attributes:Experience of directing Experience of working withprofessional casts A desire to build a career as adirectorAn interest in regional theatre Desirable skills and attributes: Experience of working in aproducing theatre organisationExperience of working on relaxedperformances An interest in developing andengaging with young and familyaudiences An interest in theatre-in-the-roundAn interest in the New Vic   Outline Terms and Conditions InformationContractThe post of Assistant Director is offered on a fixed term basis from 1September 2026 to 12 Feb 2027.SalaryThe salary for the post is £32,383 per year (pro rata £622.75 perweek), paid monthly by credit transfer.This salary is based on the UK Theatre/ Equity Theatre Directorsagreement. Any future rates agreed by UK Theatre/ Equity TheatreDirectors in 2026/27 that are greater than the published salary willbe applied.Hours of WorkThe post’s normal hours are 43 per week to be worked flexibly inagreement with your manager on the understanding that thedelivery of projects will require evening and weekend working.All New Vic employees are expected to work some evenings andweekends if required.  You will be expected to work on ChristmasEve and New Year’s Eve. Any hours in addition to your normal hours are to be agreed inadvance with your manager.Where the number of hours worked in any 4-week period exceedsthe contractual hours then time off in lieu at single time will begiven.Overtime is not applicable to this post. Holiday EntitlementThe holiday entitlement for this post is 28 days per annumincluding bank holidays. This is based on the statutory equivalentof 4 weeks, plus 8 days bank holidays per annum (5.6 weeks).The holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Please note thatno holiday will be approved during rehearsal or during the run ofthe Christmas show. We anticipate that holiday will be taken inthe final two weeks of the contract.Probationary & Notice PeriodThe probationary period for this post is 2 months.The notice period during the probationary period is 2 weeks.Following successful completion of probationary period thenotice period is 8 weeks.Relocation AllowanceThe relocation allowance is currently £235 per week, andcommuting allowance is £183.58 per week.GeneralOffice base: New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 0JGAll eligible staff are automatically opted in for the New Vic’s basicpension scheme under auto enrolment legislation.All offers of employment are subject to the candidate being ableto provide suitable proof of their eligibility to work in the UK andsatisfactory references.How to applyPlease send the following by email torecruitment@newvictheatre.org.uk using the subject line AssistantDirector or by post to Administration Department, New Vic TheatreEtruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 0JG:a brief covering letter including details of two refereesanswers to our five questions (see next page)your CVour equal opportunities monitoring formIf you have any questions about how to apply please send them to theemail address above.We want to make sure that our application process is accessible toeveryone, so please do tell us if you need any of this information inanother format (e.g. large print, audio).It would help us if you complete and return our recruitment equalitiesmonitoring form. It is not obligatory but by completing it you will helpus monitor the effectiveness of our Equal Opportunities Policy. Theequalities monitoring form will be separated from your applicationdocuments before shortlisting.The deadline for applications is Monday 18 May 2026 5pm.The New Vic aims to attract, develop and retain the besttalent for all roles and will always appoint based on merit.We consider that diversity is good for the art we make,good for artists, good for audiences, and good for thecultural sector.The New Vic is an equal opportunities employer. We valuediversity in our workforce and positively encourageapplicants from all sections of the community, particularlyapplicants under-represented across the arts workforce,especially applicants with a disability, applicants for areLGBTQIA+ or applicants of African or Caribbean heritage,South, East and South-East Asian heritage or anyone whoexperiences racism.Questions Please send responses to the following questions. Use around150-word limit per question. Use bullet points if helpful. Essential skills: answer all three questions:1. List or outline your experience of assistant directing2. List or outline your experience of working with professionalactors (by which we mean actors who are being paid at Equity/UKTheatre rates or equivalent)3. List or outline any experience you have of being in a regionaltheatre – as a worker, volunteer or audience member. Desirable skills: answer only one question, either 4a, 4b or 4c:4a. Outline any experience you have of making work for young orfamily audiences or4b. Outline any experience you have of working on relaxedperformances or4c. Outline any experience you have of working in a producingtheatre Optional question: 5. What sort of a director are you? What interests you? What makes you distinctive? Please use around 150 words What happens next? We will always let you know the outcome of yourapplication. Our Admin team will be in touch to let youknow if we would like to invite you to interview. As part ofthe invitation we will let you know what will happen on theday and who you will be meeting. We want to make sure our interview process is as fair aspossible. If you have a disability, do let us know if yourequire any adjustments on the interview day or if youhave any specific access needs. We appreciate the time and effort it takes to apply for arole, so we will contact you whether you are successful ornot at every stage of the process. To find out more about the New Vic Theatre visit ourwebsite www.newvictheatre.org.uk. If you have anyqueries regarding the vacancy please emailrecruitment@newvictheatre.org.uk or call 01782 381371.Provisional Recruitment Timeline  18 May 2026 at 5pm 1 and 2 June 2026 11 June 2026 1 September 2026 12 February 2027 Deadline for submissions   First interviews on Zoom Second interviews at New Vic Contract starts Contract ends New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 0JG. Stoke-on-Trent & North Staffordshire Theatre Trust Ltd. Companyregistration number: 911924. Charity registration number: 253242. The New Vic Theatre operates thanks to partnership betweenArts CouncilEngland, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.Admin 01782 717954       Box Office 01782 717962       www.newvictheatre.org.uk