MTC Now Accepting Applications for 2015 Women Directors and Assistant Directors Programs

Melbourne Theatre Company has announced that applications for its 2015 Women Directors and Assistant Directors Programs are now open.

MTC's Women Directors Program provides an opportunity for 10 women directors from Victoria to receive leadership training, practical career advice and coaching across a wide range of business and commercial aspects of the theatre industry, while also offering open access to all facets of MTC.

The program gives the directors a chance to familiarise themselves with the culture and inner workings of a major state theatre company and gain insight into its audiences, venues and ongoing core business over a 12 month period. Over the course of the program, the directors will also attend production briefings, selected design briefings and receive exclusive invitations to MTC events and other networking opportunities.

MTC Artistic Director Brett Sheehy AO said 'our inaugural Women Directors Program was an undeniable success, attracting an incredibly talented group of directors, three of who are directing productions for MTC in 2015. We can't wait to see who will be joining us next year for the second outing of this program.'

With places for four emerging or mid-career artists, MTC's Assistant Directors Program will see successful applicants assigned to work on one of the following productions: Jumpy with Pamela Rabe from MTC's 2012 Artistic Team, North by Northwest with former MTC Artistic Director Simon Phillips, Death and the Maiden alongside MTC Associate Director Leticia Cáceres and The Last Man Standing with Roger Hodgman, another former MTC Artistic Director.

These paid positions aim to enable directors to learn about the process of developing shows for large scale companies from senior theatre directors. During each project, participants will shadow the director in rehearsal, attend weekly production meetings, and observe the bump in of a show to the theatre through to opening night.

Brett Sheehy said 'assistant directors are an important part of the MTC team and each year we are astounded by the calibre of applications we receive for this program. In 2015 we'll welcome four more Assistant Directors and are very much looking forward to helping them on their career pathway.'

Applications for both programs close on Monday 20 October. For more information about these programs and the application process visit mtc.com.au/artist-access.