You’ve been in the rehearsal room. Now it’s time to lead it.
Directors Studio is an 8-session masterclass for emerging theatre makers ready to step into creative leadership.
This comprehensive introduction explores the essential techniques needed to bring out the best in actors, create compelling theatre, and develop your unique directorial voice.
Working with Artistic Director Luke Rogers, you’ll develop the essential skills that form the foundation of directing practice: analysing text to unlock creative ideas, building collaborative relationships with actors and designers, running focused rehearsals, and translating your vision into compelling stage storytelling.
This program is about finding your voice as a creative leader. You’ll spend eight weeks on the rehearsal room floor making real directing choices, working with actors, experimenting with different approaches, and receiving feedback that helps you understand your strengths and artistic instincts. Through discussions, text analysis workshops, and practical exercises, you’ll build the technical toolkit and develop the artistic confidence to approach your directing opportunities ready to lead.
You bring your passion and own unique experiences. We’ll give you the skills, vocabulary, and foundation to articulate your vision, guide collaborative processes with clarity and purpose, and create the kind of theatre that matters to you.
Limited to 8 participants to ensure focussed, practical learning.
| ELIGIBILITY | Emerging Artists aged 16 – 25 |
| DATES | 20 August – 8 October 2026 |
| TIMES | Thursday 6:30 – 9:30pm |
| DURATION | 8 weeks (24 hours) |
| LOCATION | Canberra Youth Theatre Gorman Arts Centre Batman Street, Braddon |
| COST | $400 |
| HOW TO APPLY | EOI Form |
| LEAD ARTIST | Luke Rogers |
The course was a great bootcamp in all the different skills you have to pick up in order to direct. Luke pushed us to consider how our concepts would read onstage through more than just design, and really allowed us to hone how specificity of language can be a lynchpin skill. Figuring out the words to communicate what you want is truly indispensable – I still use these skills in all my shows!
Caitlin Baker
Directing Intensive Participant
Who is this program for?
Emerging artists aged 16–25 artists with some youth, school, or university theatre experience who:
- Have ideas about how theatre should be made and want to develop the skills to realise them
- Are curious about directing but unsure where to start
- Want to understand the director/actor relationship from the other side
- Are ready to take creative risks and learn from the work
- Can commit to leading rehearsals and supporting actors’ creative process
You bring your passion, genuine curiosity, and commitment to the work, and we’ll help you discover your voice as a creative leader.
Limited to 8 participants to ensure intensive, practical learning.
Application Information
Applications Open: Tuesday 3 February 2026
Applications Close: Monday 27 July 2026
To apply please follow these steps:
- Complete the Application Form.
- Your application will then be considered by our team.
- Outcomes will be sent to everyone by Friday 7 August.
- If your application is successful, you will be sent a link to enrol in the program.
- You will need to be enrolled in the program by Friday 14 August 2026.
Program Activities
Unlocking Creative Ideas: Learn to analyse scripts and unlock the creative potential within plays. You’ll develop approaches to interpretation that reveal your unique perspective and form the foundation for confident artistic choices.
Hands-On Rehearsal Room Leadership: Work directly with actors on the rehearsal room floor, making real directing choices and discovering how to guide performers through creative processes. You’ll build confidence leading rehearsals and learn what kind of director you naturally are.
Developing Your Directorial Vision: Explore how to articulate your artistic ideas and translate them into compelling stage storytelling. You’ll discover approaches to creating cohesive concepts that express your vision and engage audiences.
Building Collaborative Relationships: Understand how to communicate effectively with actors and designers, creating the kind of focused, collaborative rehearsal environment where your best work can emerge. You’ll learn to inspire creative teams and build productive partnerships.
Exploring Directorial Approaches: Experiment with different directing methodologies and techniques, discovering which resonate with your instincts. You’ll understand your artistic strengths and develop a flexible toolkit that serves your unique creative voice.
Articulating Vision & Making Choices: Develop the vocabulary and confidence to express your ideas clearly, justify your choices, and guide collaborative processes. You’ll learn to trust your instincts while making purposeful decisions that serve your vision.
Feedback & Artistic Development: Receive constructive feedback on your work and engage in critical reflection with fellow emerging directors. You’ll develop the ability to assess your choices, understand your strengths, and grow as an artist.
Practical Foundation for Directing Projects: Build the technical skills and artistic confidence to approach your first directing opportunities ready to lead. You’ll understand the director’s role and responsibilities while staying connected to your creative vision.
Program Outcomes
By the end of Directors Studio, you will:
Discover your directorial identity: Understand the kind of director you want to be, your artistic strengths, and the type of work you want to create.
Lead rehearsals with confidence: Approach directing opportunities ready to run rehearsals, communicate with actors, and make bold creative choices. You’ll know how to create productive rehearsal environments.
Articulate your vision clearly: Develop the vocabulary and skills to express your ideas and guide collaborative creative processes with clear, actionable direction.
Build your directorial toolkit: Master essential techniques in text analysis, rehearsal leadership, and working with actors and designers.
Recognise your artistic voice: Understand your unique perspective and creative instincts through hands-on practice and feedback.
Create work that matters to you: Gain the confidence and foundation to realise your artistic vision and make theatre that reflects your interests, questions, and creative passions.
Join a directing community: Connect with fellow emerging directors, professional mentors, and ongoing support for your artistic journey.
Key Dates
Thursday 20 August 2026 (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Thursday 27 August 2026 (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Thursday 3 September 2026 (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Thursday 10 September 2026 (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Thursday 17 September 2026 (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Thursday 24 September 2026 (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Thursday 1 October 2026 (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Thursday 8 October 2026 (6:30 – 9:30pm)
Culture and Commitment
Commitment
This program builds progressively, with each session developing skills and creative approaches that inform the work ahead. As directors, you carry responsibility not only for your own learning but for the actors and collaborators you’ll be working with throughout the program. Your presence is essential—both as an artist developing your craft and as a leader others depend on to guide creative work. We ask that you show up prepared and fully engaged, honor the trust of those you’re directing, and contribute actively to the collective learning environment. Directing is about vision and leadership, and both require consistency, reliability, and the courage to be fully present even when the work feels uncertain.
The Culture We Build Together
Being part of Canberra Youth Theatre means joining a professional artistic community where emerging artists shape the future of Australian theatre. Our practice is built on:
- Commitment – to the work, the process, and the artists you’re creating alongside
- Courage – taking creative risks, challenging conventions, and pushing your practice forward
- Respect – for diverse perspectives, bold artistic choices, and the collaborative space we share
- Curiosity – treating each project as a chance to deepen your craft and expand your voice
- Professionalism – holding ourselves to the standards of the theatre industry we’re entering
This is where you transition from training into practice, where your ideas matter, and where the work you create contributes to your development, our community, and the broader arts sector.
Fees & Payment Structure
Directors Studio is a heavily subsidised program – the full cost is $923 per person, which, due to the generous support of our funders, we are able to offer for only $400 for our members. Nonetheless, we understand that paying upfront in full can be difficult, so we offer flexible payment plans to spread out the cost over the course of the program.
Please see the financial support we offer, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@canberrayouththeatre.com.au to discuss payment options.
Directors Studio is generously supported by Liv Hewson.
