Oxford Playhouse is delighted to welcome back its artistic partner Headlong for Origins 5.0, a new development programme for emerging theatre directors working outside of London.

The 12-month artistic development programme will run from January to December 2025. Origins 5.0 aims to help new directors enhance their skills and progress towards main-stage directing. The programme offers funding of £5,000, in-person masterclasses, mentoring, and behind-the-scenes access to a working theatre.

Creatives who have produced studio work, run small companies, or wish to transition from assistant directing are encouraged to apply. This part-time scheme offers support that fits around the director’s schedule.

Origins 5.0 will be held across several regional theatre venues, including Leeds Playhouse and Bolton Octagon. Oxford Playhouse has partnered with Headlong for a 3-day residency during which directors will have an opportunity to participate in workshops on the theatre’s main stage.

Headlong is a theatre company based in Oxford, creating high-quality drama that tours the UK. They specialise in reimagining classics and commissioning future ones. Some of their past productions include A Raisin in the Sun, People Places and Things and Enron.

This development scheme is open to anyone outside of London and has worked on at least two substantial productions for public audiences. Applications close at 10am on Wednesday 27 November 2024. Interviews will take place in early December.

For full details and to apply, please follow the link below to Headlong’s website.