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Bryan Forbes Director Bursary

Posted 25 Sep 2026

Copyright Helen Murray 2019

We're pleased to open applications for the 2027 Bryan Forbes Directors Bursary

Bursary: £14,000
Dates: 11 January to 19 November 2027, with a break in July and August
Location: NYT, Holloway Road, London
Application Deadline: 10am, Wednesday 28 October

Are you an emerging theatre director ready to take the next step? We're looking for our next Bryan Forbes NYT REP Assistant Director to join the 2027 NYT REP Company, our free, industry-based alternative to formal actor training.

Over eight months, you'll train alongside 16 exceptionally talented young actors and assist the directors and creative teams on two theatre productions and a film project. You'll also direct the company's Scene Study at the end of the training phase at our Holloway Road theatre.

You'll be mentored throughout by Olivier Award-nominated and UK Theatre Award-winning director Amy Leach, former Associate Director and Deputy Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse. She follows previous mentors including Jeremy Herrin, Dominic Cooke, Carrie Cracknell, Lynette Linton and Vicky Featherstone.

The bursary was set up in 2014 in memory of director Bryan Forbes CBE, President of NYT from 1983 to 2005. The 2027 Assistant Director will be its eleventh recipient.

We're looking for someone with at least one professional, reviewed show as director or assistant director, experience of working with young people, strong organisation skills and an interest in film and digital work. The Bryan Forbes Trainee Director trains alongside the NYT REP Company, so is usually similar or slightly older in age to the NYT REP Company, which is made up of 18 - 30 year-olds.

To APPLY, upload a Cover Letter stating why you are the right person for the role (no longer than two pages) AND a copy of your CV (no longer than two pages.) Alternatively submit a video instead of a cover letter, no longer than 3 mins.

Optional Online Information Session:

Tuesday 20 October, 5:30pm-6:30pm

Download role description

Apply now

Thank you to all those who donated to the Bryan Forbes 2014 – 2026 Bursaries for Young Directors and in particular Emma Forbes and Graham Clempson