Rose Theatre Kingston to Launch The Peter Hall Emerging Artists Fellowship in Honour of its Founding Artistic Director

In honour of Sir Peter Hall's remarkable achievements and his service to theatre, and to recognise his role as Rose Theatre Kingston's Founding Artistic Director and his time as Chancellor of Kingston University, the Rose will launch The Peter Hall Emerging Artists Fellowship (PHEAF) in October 2018 - the Rose's tenth year of operation. The Rose is launching this new initiative which will support a theatre artist with a tailor made residency. Over a number of years the PHEAF will provide artists with opportunities to work on Rose Theatre Productions and receive mentoring from world-class professionals and ultimately stage their own production in the Rose Theatre's Studio with the full support of the Rose team.

Background to Peter Hall

Peter Hall, who died last month, was perhaps the most pioneering and influential Director and Producer of the post-war era in a career that spanned more than half a century. He founded the Royal Shakespeare Company and, during his tenure as Director of the National Theatre, over saw the move from the Old Vic and established the company in its new home on the South Bank. Having directed the first English language production of Samuel Becket's Waiting for Godot, Peter Hall became a champion of new writing with world premieres of works by Harold Pinter (The Homecoming, No Man's Land and Betrayal) and Peter Shaffer (Amadeus) among others. He had a keen eye for young talent in all areas of the theatre and was endlessly generous and supportive to emerging artists forging their own careers.

Aims and Objectives

Sir Peter Hall was the founding Artistic Director for Rose Theatre Kingston when it opened in 2008. Over the past ten years the Rose has emerged as a leading producing theatre in the UK and the largest producing theatre in south west London. Notable productions include Peter Hall's memorable staging of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream starring Judi Dench, an extraordinary revival of the legendary Peter Hall and John Barton adaptation of The Wars of the Roses directed by Trevor Nunn, Zach Helm's Good Canary directed by John Malkovich and, most recently, the first stage adaptation and world premiere of Elena Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend directed by Melly Still.

The inaugural year of the PHEAF will support one professional director, however the aim is that over the years the programme will expand to include a number of talented theatre makers. The candidate must have either directed one professional show or have at least 12 months of professional experience (can be vocational); and is able to demonstrate her or his commitment to theatre directing. There is no upper age limit for the scheme, but candidates must be over 18 and should be in the early stages of their theatre career.

What will the Fellow's commitment be?

The bursary from the PHEAF will contribute to the Fellow's cost of living for the year and will be paid monthly. Since the obligation is not a full time commitment to the Rose, the Fellow will also be supported in making her or his own work outside the Rose. Once the Fellow has been selected, a schedule of projects will be confirmed based on her or his availability.

Fellowship details

Fellowship under the PHEAF is an opportunity for an emerging theatre director (aged over 18) with professional theatre directing experience to be paid a bursary of £10,000 over 12 months to work for a fixed term period on a number of projects at Rose Theatre Kingston.

Candidates should have a demonstrable commitment to building a career as a theatre director as well as an interest in both London and regional theatre and its development. The Fellow appointed will be mentored by the Rose's Executive team as well as receive master classes from world-class practitioners and work closely with Kingston University's Drama Department. She or he will gain a wide range of experience including assisting directors on Rose Theatre Productions, working with the producing and programming team, script reading, working with the learning and participation department, and artist development. The Fellow will also receive unfiltered access to a large scale producing theatre and learn about the different components of theatre operations, including but not limited to Producing, Finance, Development, Marketing & Press and Education.

More specifically the Fellow appointed will get the opportunity to assist a number of Rose Theatre Productions, direct rehearsed readings, research and develop projects and work with young people. The fellowship will reach its conclusion with a professional staged production directed by the winning candidate in the Rose Theatre's Studio. The production will run for a week, be produced by the Rose and paid for by the PHEAF. Indicative budget will be between £20,000 and £30,000 but a key part of the year is to work with the team at the Rose to stage the show within a workable budget, and to produce a noteworthy piece of work.

Application Process

After securing initial funding from Kingston University, the Rose will fundraise further into spring 2018. A call for applicants will be made in summer 2018 - details of how to apply will become available nearer the time. The first successful applicant will start by October 2018.

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