The Director’s Lab (18+)
| 18- 30 | 6pm- 9pm |
Over the 5 weeks you will meet 5 industry-leading directors to experiment with their unique process and learn about their journey through the industry. These masterclasses are perfect for aspiring directors who are ready to break into the industry and fill their own director’s toolkit with new skills and practices.
Each of the guest director will have a specific focus for their session and will guide you through an introduction to their work, some practical exercises and provide an opportunity for a Q&A.
The guest Directors for this masterclass are:
Vicky Featherstone
Lucy Morrison
Prasanna Puwanarajah
Emily Lim
FAQs
Course details
DATE:
Thursdays, 15th January- 12th February 2026
TIME:
6pm- 9pm
AGE:
18- 30s
PRICE:
£200
Can I take part?
This course is available for anyone aged 18-30 whether they are active members of NYT or new to the organisation
Am I eligible for a free place?
At The National Youth Theatre we never want cost to be a barrier, that's why we offer limited free spaces on each course. For a free place, please fill out the short application form here
What should I bring?
Please wear comfortable clothing, bring a packed lunch/snack (NYT is next to many shops, cafes and a Sainsbury's), water bottle, a notepad and pen.
I have access needs, can I still take part?
Our courses are accessible for disabled and neurodivergent people; we can make adjustments to meet access requirements.All participants are asked to provide Access Information before attending, to make sure their requirements are met. For further information, please contact auditionandcourses@nyt.org.uk
Contact
Booking is now open
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Auditions & Courses team on auditionsandcourses@nyt.org.uk
Facilitators
Vicky Featherstone
Lucy Morrison
Prasanna Puwanarajah
Emily Lim
Theatre Director & Dramaturg
Lucy was Associate Director to the Royal Court from 2014 – 23. Prior to the Royal Court, she was Head of Artistic at Clean Break, Associate at the Almeida Theatre and Literary Manager for Paines Plough.
Directing credits at the Royal Court include: Hope Has a Happy Meal by Tom Fowler, That Is Not Who I Am (Rapture) by Lucy Kirkwood, Scenes with girls by Miriam Battye, The Woods by Robert Alan Evans, MANWATCHING by anonymous, Plaques and Tangles by Nicola Wilson, Pests by Vivienne Franzmann, Product by Mark Ravenhill.
Other directing includes: Personal Values by Chloe Lawrence Taylor, Akedah by Michael John O’Neill, The Animal Kingdom by Ruby Thomas (Hampstead Theatre); Paradise Lost (co-directed with Ben Duke, Lost Dog, BAC & national tour). Elephant by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti (Birmingham Rep); Billy the Girl by Katie Hims, This Wide Night by Chloe Moss (CleanBreak/Soho/national tour); Little on the inside by Alice Birch (Clean Break/Almeida Festival); it felt empty when the heart went at first but it is alright now by Lucy Kirkwood (Clean Break/Arcola).
Emily is an award-winning director whose work explores theatre as a form of community building and social activism. She works in settings ranging from grassroots community centres to major theatres and international festivals. From 2017 - 2025 she was an Associate Artist of the National Theatre where she led the critically acclaimed programme Public Acts, directing productions featuring hundreds of community members and professional performers from across the country, including Public Record (The Fire Station, Sunderland), The Odyssey: The Underworld and Pericles (both in The Olivier Theatre, National Theatre). Other directing credits include: Brighter Still (closing ceremony for UK City of Culture 2025);The Enormous Crocodile (Roald Dahl Story Company, Regents Park Open Air Theatre, upcoming USA / UK tours); the internationally acclaimed Brainstorm (as Co-Director, Company Three); Yoko Ono’s Bells For Peace (Manchester International Festival) and Jeremy Deller’s We’re Here Because We’re Here (1418 Now). She is regularly invited to share her practice with organisations in the UK and abroad as a mentor, educator, speaker and consultant, exploring the transformative impact of theatre and cultural activism within communities.