RTYDS seeks out talented theatre directors at an early stage of their careers and works in partnership with regional producing theatres to develop their skills and experience as artists and artistic directors of the future. Founded in 1960, the scheme has an impressive list of past participants, many have been or are now artistic directors of the UK's leading theatres. Alumni include Trevor Nunn (RSC and National Theatre), Michael Boyd (RSC) and Adrian Noble (RSC), Rupert Goold (Almeida), Lorne Campbell (Northern Stage), Elizabeth Newman (Octagon Theatre, Bolton) John Tiffany and Vicky Featherstone (Royal Court), Natalie Ibu (Tiata Fahodzi) and Matthew Xia (Manchester Royal Exchange). RTYDS now has three strands. 1) 18-Month Residency for emerging directors with professional experience and a demonstrable commitment to a career as a director 2) Three-Month Placement for new directors at the very start of their professional career. 3) Introduction to Directing - intensive practical training for people to discover if directing might be a future career. We are particularly focused on directors who live outside of London and who are from communities presently under-represented in theatre.