Theartre Director Job Role

A Theatre Director overlooks the practical and interpretation of a script or musical score taking into account the budget and physical constraints of production being involved in all stages of the process.
They usually work on freelance or fixed term contracts and some of them are able to write, act, devise and design being able to add this to their project. Most theatres are headed by an executive administrator or general manager who are lead by a board, a local council or both. Large theatres may also have an artistic director who chooses plays to be produced in the theatre and is responsible for managing the company and its finances along with the administrator.
Some Theartres employ a full time director as an associate who works closely with the artistic director and directing some productions.
Salary depends upon the length and contract taken for example directing a small play would earn you around £903 per week whereas directing a big play may earn you upto £1305. The director themselve may negotiate their contracts or have an agent. Sometimes directors can be volenteers or work on their own companies with work hours involving weekend and evening work with many working more hours than contracted too. Travel is common with overseas work often being involved, the work can be highly frustrating and stressful but extreamly rewarding.

Although this area of work is open to all graduates a degree in the following would improve your chances..

• English literature;
• drama/theatre studies;
• music;
• creative/performing arts;
• languages;
• humanities-based subjects involving thought, reflection and interpretation, e.g. philosophy, history, psychology.

also HND/Foundation degree in creative/performing arts, drama/theatre, music or arts community may also improve your chances. Also gaining pratical experience in acting, stage management and direction on amateur or fringe theatre will also help.

First appointments are usually on a small scale like touring with a small company but many come from self started companies. To progress in this career you need reputation and individual style, experience, funding, work being seen from other venues and flexibility where ten years experience is usually enough to secure a senior post.