October 2, 2023

Jerwood Assistant Director Scheme: An opportunity to assist on the Young Vic’s Nachtland is now open

Jerwood Developing Arts Fund badge

The Young Vic theatre is looking for an assistant director to work on the production of Nachtland, by Marius von Mayenburg, translated by Maja Zade, and directed by Patrick Marber – as part of the Young Vic’s Jerwood Artist Development Pathway.

Modern-day Germany. Nicola and Philipp argue as they clear out their late father’s house. When they find an old painting stashed in the attic, things get savage.

The painting is a quaint street scene from 1920s Vienna; the work of a failed artist who abandoned his original vocation for Nazism… Nicola wants to sell it. Philipp wants to keep it. Philipp’s wife Judith wants to burn it.

Nachtland* is a satire about marriage, legacy, the rise of the new right, and the terrible impulses buried deep. This production is the UK premiere of the play.

*Nachtland is an invented German word. It suggests a place of eternal darkness.

The scheme

The scheme provides the assistant director with:

  • An assistantship on Nachtland, by Marius von Mayenburg, translated by Maja Zade, and directed by Patrick Marber
  • A two-week placement at the Young Vic, observing day to day running of the theatre, attending planning and management meetings and spending time in departments such as Marketing & Audiences, Production, and Development
  • The opportunity to devise and lead two peer-led projects for the Genesis Network
  • A chance to work with the Taking Part department on workshops for schools and colleges inspired by the production
  • A small pot of money to see shows

Fees

There is a fee of £4,500 to cover the period from Monday 8 January 2024 to Saturday 20 April 2024.

The fee covers seven weeks of rehearsals, including a two-week tech and preview period, and seven performance weeks.

There is a two-week placement payment of £500 per week. The timings of the placement is to be mutually agreed between the Young Vic and Assistant Director, but this should take place within four months of the production.

There is a £200 budget to cover the cost of seeing productions either in London or beyond.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 10am on Monday 16th October. Visit this link for further details including application and recruitment packs.

Design by Émilie Chen