Resident Director Program
The Flea Theater, Jim Simpson, Artistic Director and Carol Ostrow, Producing Director, announce a residency program for theater directors.
Modeled after The Flea Theater’s successful resident company of actors, The Bats (now in its 16th season), this intensive residency program will allow a small team of young directors to work, train and direct in support of The Flea’s season under the supervision of Artistic Director Jim Simpson and The Flea Theater staff.
An intensive full time Residency in Directing at a leading Off-Off Broadway Theater, this unique program offers a deep hands on, learn while you do it practical entrance to contemporary theater directing and production. The Resident Director program, while being open for all to apply, is suitable only for outstanding young directors, demonstrating exceptional promise and with a minimum of nine months to fully commit to the rigors of a real theatrical environment.
This is not an intern program, an assistant directing program, or a workshop where you discuss the idea of theater production, but a demanding Residency at an incredibly active theater. It is not for the casual applicant looking to occupy his or her spare time to dabble in directing, but for the serious committed young Director looking for a home base to experience an exponential growth in his or her technique and understanding of Stage Directing. Applicants must be ready to roll up their sleeves and get involved with all aspects of theater production- dilettantes need not apply.
Stage Directors require not only the ability to collaborate with a creative team and to conceptualize and execute a production with flair and integrity but also a thorough understanding and expertise in all aspects of theater production. Simply put- you have no business being the Captain of the Ship if you don’t understand all the rigging, various sails, and navigation. Up until the 1950s, American Stage Directors typically worked their way up through Stage Management. Once they had demonstrated a full practical understanding of theater production, they moved into the role of Director.
Resident Directors at The Flea will, in an intense condensed period, stage manage Flea productions for Guest Directors and fellow Resident Directors. Acknowledging that many opportunities for young Directors are self produced, The Flea’s Resident Directors will also act as Production Manager for at least one show- learning The Flea’s style of excellence on a shoestring- a rigorous approach, working with talent, spreadsheets, calendars and The Flea team.
During these required activities, Resident Directors will also have the opportunity to direct various readings, workshops, and #serials@theflea a late night series featuring The Flea’s resident acting company, The Bats, and some of New York’s most interesting new playwrights. By working with a leading New York Theater, Resident Directors at The Flea will be able to solicit work and talent which can be hard for a free-lance director to access. During the residency, The Flea offers two stages and access to The Bats, a company of over 100 actors, for the Residents to experiment, develop and explore new work with. And finally The Flea will “launch” the Resident Directors who have demonstrated exceptional ability with a fully produced show.
The term of the residency is at least 9 months. There is no pay- there is also no cost or tuition. Candidates must estimate that they will be spending a minimum of 40 hours a week at The Flea (sometimes more). Again, this is an intensive fully demanding program- it is not part time or casual.