July 29, 2015

AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY DIRECTING INTERNSHIP 2016 

THE ENGINE ROOM

Auckland Theatre Company invites applications for the inaugural directing internship programme The Engine Room.

The intensive six month paid internship, commencing in January 2016, is a unique opportunity for two motivated individuals to work with Auckland Theatre Company and partner organisations, New Zealand Opera and Fortune Theatre (Dunedin) in a customised development programme.

“We are keen to work with directors at a turning point in their career who are determined to develop their capacity to direct main-stage productions,” says Auckland Theatre Company Associate Director, Lynne Cardy.

“I’m interested in artists with an absolute passion for storytelling, backed by a solid level of skill, an extremely high work ethic and an openness to absorb and contribute to the opportunities surrounding them,” adds Fortune Theatre Artistic Director, Lara McGregor.

The programme is designed to provide opportunities to learn about all aspects of the director’s craft whilst working within Auckland Theatre Company’s creative development team.

“In a major theatre company the director’s role is as much about scheduling, contracting, strategic planning, politicking, promoting, meeting and massaging stakeholders and reading, reading, reading plays as it is about directing them,” says Auckland Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Colin McColl.

Adding, “actors are the heart and soul of the theatre experience but directors are its engine.”

Each intern will have the opportunity to be an integral part of the process of staging a main-bill theatre production; from early design meetings, through rehearsals and up to opening night. During this time they will work closely with a senior director, attend production meetings and have opportunities for networking with industry professionals and their peers. Each intern will also have the opportunity to direct a Literary, Youth or Community project with Auckland Theatre Company and to work on other projects with NZO and Fortune Theatre where appropriate.

The Deadline for applications: 5pm Friday 21 August 2015  

Application form: http://www.atc.co.nz/media/372725/atc_theengineroom_application.pdf  

The Engine Room is made possible with a grant from Creative New Zealand’s Sector Development Fund. 

Notes

• Deadline for applications: 5pm Friday 21 August 2015
• Interviews for short-listed candidates: Saturday 19 September.
• Announcement of successful candidates: by 28 September.
• Available only to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.
• Applicants do not need to be Auckland based to apply, however successful applicants will be required to live in Auckland for at least 4 months of the internship period.
• Applicants need to have directed several professional productions and be passionate and committed to directing as their chosen profession.
• The successful applicants will be outstanding communicators who demonstrate potential to become a skilled and vital practitioner and a future director of main-stage productions.