INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTING
In August 2025 Hampstead Theatre ran a brand-new course for first-time directors culminating in an opportunity to direct a company of professional actors.
Led by Jennifer Davis, Hampstead Theatre’s Participation Director, the course took a practical, hands-on approach to director training. It featured sessions with industry guests including Alice Hamilton (Associate Director, Hampstead Theatre) and Kwame Owusu (Revival Director on the RSC’s recent production of Titus Andronicus) giving participants a rare insight into professional practice.
Ten local directors took part in the programme and an Assistant Director bursary was awarded to Amin Ali who will join a production at Hampstead Theatre in 2026.
About the Course
Across nine weeks of workshops and rehearsals, participants explored:
- How the actor’s process works
- Ways to realise text in performance
- How to critically analyse the work of other directors
- Tools for developing and planning directing exercises
- Delivering directing exercises with a company of professional actors
- The programme was designed for emerging artists and first-time directors – particularly those who have faced barriers to the industry – and was offered free of charge.
About the Facilitator
Jennifer Davis is a Director and Dramaturg from Coventry, dedicated to new writing. She is currently the Participation Director at Hampstead Theatre and has directed for the RSC, Birmingham REP, Belgrade Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Assembly Venues, MAC, Women & Theatre, VAULT Festival, King’s Head Theatre, BOLDtext and Streetwise Opera.
Future Opportunities
To hear about upcoming opportunities like this one, sign up to our Participation mailing list or visit our Get Involved page.
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