Joe Hill-Gibbins appointed first Genesis Fellow at the Young Vic

Joe Hill-Gibbins has been appointed the first Genesis Fellow at the Young Vic Theatre.  The Genesis Foundation is awarding a grant for two years for this new position.  This will enable Joe to work closely with artistic director David Lan as he continues to develop his craft as a theatre director.

On receiving the fellowship, Joe Hill-Gibbins said:

'I've worked closely with David at the Young Vic for several years.  This opportunity enables me to develop my role at the theatre in new ways, supporting younger directors as well as directing my own work.  I'm really looking forward to it and I'm tremendously grateful to the Genesis Foundation for their imaginative support.'

Joe Hill-Gibbins has directed at the Young Vic, Royal Court, the Barbican Pit, the Gate, Theatre 503 and Battersea Arts Centre.  After graduating from Manchester University in 1999, he directed his first professional production as winner of the 2002 James Menzies-Kitchen Award for Young Directors.  His directing credits include A Respectable Wedding at Young Vic, Family Plays, Bliss and The Girlfriend Experience at the Royal Court.  He most recently directed a workshop production of Uncle Vanya at the Young Vic.

The Young Vic's David Lan commented:

'With the help of the Genesis Foundation over the last eight years we established probably the most important means of support for the development of directors in the UK.  It is wonderful to have their continued backing as we go forward with this new idea.  Joe's generosity as an artist and a leader will be of benefit to all the directors and other theatre artists we work with.'

John Studzinski, Founder & Chairman of the Genesis Foundation, said:

'I am delighted that the first Genesis Fellow at the Young Vic has been named and that it is the director Joe Hill-Gibbins.  We have been aware of his very original and creative talent since he joined our Directors Project at the Young Vic and we could not be prouder of his achievements so far.  We are really looking forward to the work he will be doing as a Genesis Fellow.  It gives me great pleasure that we are continuing our association with the Young Vic and its artistic director, David Lan and also continuing with the process of helping to find the next generation of great theatre directors.'