Emerging theatre directors: Apply for NCT’s Young Director’s Project 2026 and take the next step into children’s theatre. Applications now open.

The National Children’s Theatre (NCT) invites applications from aspiring and emerging theatre directors for its Young Director’s Project 2026.

This intensive programme is designed for theatre practitioners who want to develop their directing skills and gain practical experience in children’s theatre, working with young performers, and adapting productions for school touring and non-traditional performance environments.

Why Children’s Theatre?

Directing for young audiences requires a particular set of artistic and practical skills. It involves understanding how children engage with stories, creating age-appropriate work, communicating effectively with young performers, and making productions work in a wide range of spaces and environments.

The NCT Young Director’s Project provides emerging directors with the opportunity to develop these skills through a combination of theoretical learning, practical exercises, professional mentorship and hands-on directing experience.

Who Are We Looking For?

We are looking for talented, committed emerging directors who:

•              Hold a relevant qualification in Theatre Arts, Drama, Directing or a related field.

•              Have a minimum of two years’ practical theatre experience.

•              Between the ages of 23 – 32

•              Have a genuine interest in directing and developing work for children and young audiences.

•              Demonstrate creativity, initiative and a willingness to learn.

•              Are collaborative and able to work effectively with actors, designers, technicians and other creative practitioners.

•              Are interested in developing a career in professional theatre.

•              Have an interest in school touring, community engagement and making theatre accessible to diverse audiences.

We particularly encourage applications from emerging practitioners who may not have had access to traditional professional pathways into directing.

What Will the Young Director’s Project Offer?

The three-week intensive programme combines theoretical foundations with practical directing experience through the directing of a short children’s play in 2027. Successful candidates will receive a modest stipend for their attendance of the programme.

WEEK 1 — FOUNDATIONS & PRACTICAL DIRECTING

Participants will explore:

•              The principles of children’s theatre and age-appropriate storytelling.

•              Theatre’s role in education.

•              Safeguarding and working responsibly with children.

•              Script analysis and concept development.

•              Building effective rehearsal processes.

•              Actor-director communication.

WEEK 2 — DEVISING, DESIGN & TECHNICAL REALITIES

Participants will develop skills in:

•              Devising and collaborative theatre-making.

•              Ensemble work and improvisation.

•              Working with designers.

•              Set, costume, lighting and sound considerations.

•              Developing practical design briefs.

•              Production budgets and timelines.

•              Balancing artistic ambition with available resources.

•              Problem-solving technical and production constraints.

WEEK 3 — TOURING, CHILD PERFORMERS & FINAL PROJECT

Participants will explore:

•              Working effectively with child performers.

•              Communication and motivation techniques.

•              Safe and productive rehearsal environments.

•              Understanding child development and age-appropriate directing.

•              The practical realities of school touring.

•              Adapting productions to non-theatrical venues.

2027 – PRODUCTION

The programme culminates in a 10–15-minute directing project for children, presented to a panel and public audiences in a one-day festival format.

Learn From Industry Professionals

The programme will provide access to experienced practitioners working across the theatre sector, including:

•              Children’s theatre directors.

•              Acting and directing coaches.

•              Devising and movement specialists.

•              Set, costume, lighting and sound designers.

•              Directors, stage managers and technicians experienced in school touring.

•              Education and child-development specialists.

Participants learn from experienced practitioners and apply their learning through practical work.

Professional Pathways

Potential pathways include:

•              Assistant directing opportunities on NCT productions and school tours.

•              Directing opportunities within NCT’s education and community programmes.

•              Opportunities for recommendations and introductions to festivals, independent producers and other arts organisations.

•              Building a professional portfolio of directing work for young audiences.

Participation in the Project does not guarantee employment or future commissions; however, the programme is specifically designed to help emerging directors develop the skills, experience and professional networks required to pursue these opportunities.

What We Aim to Achieve

Through the Young Director’s Project, NCT aims to:

•              Develop a new generation of skilled children’s theatre directors.

•              Equip emerging practitioners with practical directing and touring skills for children’s theatre and young audiences.

•              Increase diversity within theatre leadership and directing.

•              Develop directors who can create high-quality theatre for children across both formal theatre venues and under-resourced school environments.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

1.            A current CV detailing their theatre training and experience.

2.            Proof of a relevant Theatre Arts, Drama, Directing or related qualification.

3.            An abstract, and first pages, of a script developed by the applicant for children’s theatre.

4.            Completion of an online registration form and all relevant questions contained therein (link below).

5.            Accept the Terms and Conditions detailed in the online application form

Young Director’s Project Details

Programme: NCT Young Director’s Project 2026

Duration: Intensive 3-week programme

Location: National Children’s Theatre, Parktown, Johannesburg

Dates: 12 – 30 October 2026

Selected Participants: 5

Festival Production Preparation

Auditioning and rehearsing of youth actors: Select dates* between13 January – 2 April 2027 Festival date: 3 April 2027

Number of productions: 5

Applications close: 26 September 2026

Please apply via the following link: https://forms.gle/3nwcE1zjz1dbSK2s8

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

NATIONAL CHILDREN’S THEATRE

Developing the next generation of theatre-makers.

*Exact dates and schedule to be communicated. Mostly Saturdays and Sundays will be utilised.

** NCT reserves the right to not select the full number or candidates or halt the Young Director’s Project process as its own discretion.

Nthabiseng Mmethi
Nthabiseng@nctheatresa.org.za
083 950 7115
National Children’s Theatre