The Young Vic

Genesis Directors Network at the Young Vic

The Genesis Foundation's support of the Director's Programme at the Young Vic reached its conclusion in Autumn 2009.  The Genesis Foundation continues its collaboration with the Young Vic in its support of the Genesis Directors Network and through the newly created, Genesis Fellowship.

Genesis Directors Network

Formed in 2004 as part of the Genesis Foundation's involvement with the Young Vic, the network has since become an invaluable forum for members of the Directors Programme to share their experiences and seek advice.

Directing can be lonely - particularly in the early stages of a career - and the network encourages a sense of community and peer support amongst its members.  It is also an area where they can find information about current activities, opportunities and special ticket offers at the Young Vic.

Independent producers, theatre companies and writers often use the network as a way to find directors for their projects.  Theatres - including the Lyric Hammersmith, the Globe and Cheek by Jowl - circulate special offers for free or discounted tickets to shows and events.  Annual opportunities such as bursaries, traineeships and masterclasses are also publicised through the network.

The Genesis Directors Network currently consists of over 700 members, with more people joining all the time.

Genesis Fellowship

The Genesis Fellowship is a two year grant that enables its recipient to work closely with artistic director David Lan as they continue to develop their craft as a theatre director.  The first Genesis Fellow appointed a the Young Vic Theatre is Joe Hill-Gibbins.

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.'

Genesis Directors Programme: 2003 - 2009

Since March 2003, the Genesis Foundation supported London's innovative Young Vic theatre in creating a programme for emerging directors.  This was, and remains to this day, a pioneering initiative with few precedents around the world.  A number of alumni from the programme have gone on to produce award-winning work.

The team at the Young Vic, led by Artistic Director David Lan, has made young directors a priority at the company.  The Genesis Foundation's contribution enabled the Young Vic to develop a programme which gave young directors a rounded, varied and multi-layered training.  The aim was that they should emerge from the programme technically confident, grounded in their craft and able to realise their creative vision.  Through workshops, the programme also developed talented young actors, designers, and other technical specialists.

Projects made possible since 2003 by the support of the Genesis Foundation include:

• Workshops in both the studio and on the main stage, led by Young Vic Artistic Director David Lan, Associate Director Rufus Norris and directors such as Irina Brown, Gregory Thompson
• Process Work in the studio space to give young directors a supportive environment for theatrical experimentation
• Director/designer/choregrapher/dramaturg evenings
• Choreographic workshops for young directors
• Stagecraft workshops to study stage blocking
• Evenings in which 20 young directors created 5-10 minute responses to the events in Iraq

The programme also offered opportunities for young directors to attend performances and to become assistants at various levels in all the major Young Vic productions and sometimes in other theatres.

Genesis Directors, along with other young theatre professionals involved with the programme, have contributed to major Young Vic productions such as Peribanez by Lope de Vega and the new adaptation of Hobson's Choice; these were both sell-out shows in London and Hobson's Choice also toured.  During the Young Vic's closure for rebuilding and refurbishment (2004-2006), the young directors were able to mount seasons in 'off-West End' venues, and were also involved with productions in theatres such as the Lyric, Hammersmith and the Barbican.  Directors of the stature of Peter Brook and Richard Jones have also been involved with the programme.

If you would to learn more about the project, please go to the Young Vic Directors Project site.