Donmar Warehouse Projects Ltd
RESIDENT DESIGN ASSISTANT
Funded by the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries Programme
Thank you for your interest in the post of Resident Design Assistant (RDA) at the Donmar
Warehouse Theatre.
The closing date for applications is 5pm Friday 22 May
Interviews are planned for early/mid June.
To apply for this role, please complete the application form and send it with up to six images of
your work and with RDA Application as the subject to [email protected]
If you have any questions about the role that are not answered by this job description or the
Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries FAQ’s:http://www.jerwoodcharitablefoundation.org/eligibility-criteria-3
please contact Bailey Lock, General Manager on [email protected]
Thank you for your interest in the Donmar Warehouse. We look forward to receiving your
application.
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Donmar Warehouse Projects Ltd
RESIDENT DESIGN ASSISTANT
Funded by the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries Programme
Background Information
This RESIDENT DESIGN ASSISTANT post is offered by the Donmar Warehouse as part of the
Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme, run by Jerwood Charitable Foundation with
the support of Garfield Weston Foundation, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation and J Paul
Getty Jnr Charitable Trust.
The programme is intended to create opportunities for talented graduates to start their
careers in the arts. Forty organisations across the UK will be offering positions aimed
specifically at recent arts graduates whose circumstances mean they would not otherwise be
in a position to develop their skills and CV through unpaid work experience.
In accordance with the eligibility criteria for this scheme, we can only accept applications for
the post of RESIDENT DESIGN ASSISTANT from candidates who:
•
Have graduated since summer 2013 or who are about to graduate in June 2015 from a
first degree (i.e. a BA or an NVQ 6, or MA if from a Scottish university) in the UK.
•
Have received a full maintenance grant during the full period of their academic course
and are able to verify this with the necessary paperwork .
•
Achieved a 2:2 degree or above (if a 2015 graduate is selected, appointment will be
confirmed or otherwise after their degree is awarded).
•
Are full-time resident in the UK
Please ensure that you meet ALL of these criteria before applying for this position. Further
detail can be found here http://www.jerwoodcharitablefoundation.org/eligibility-criteria-3
THE DONMAR WAREHOUSE
“Powerhouses do not come much smaller, nor more
powerful, than the Donmar Warehouse”
Sunday Times
“The Donmar is a credit to the British stage”
Observer
“One of the glories of London’s theatre scene”
Evening Standard
The Donmar Warehouse (Josie Rourke, Artistic Director; Kate Pakenham, Executive Producer)
is a 251-seat subsidised theatre located in the heart of Covent Garden in London’s West End.
Over the past 22 years the Donmar has built a reputation for artistic excellence as one of the
UK’s leading producing theatres. The Donmar works with the industry’s finest creative artists
to present an unparalleled programme of award-winning theatre; it has presented some of
London’s most memorable theatrical experiences, garnering critical acclaim at home and
abroad.
The theatre’s diverse artistic policy encompasses bold re-imaginings of classics and
Shakespeare, innovative revivals of contemporary British, Irish and American drama, and in
recent years has demonstrated a renewed commitment to bringing new plays to its audiences.
As well as staging work in its intimate Covent Garden home, the Donmar regularly produces
work elsewhere around the UK and internationally.
2014 marked another phenomenal year for the Donmar, with highlights including the live
cinema broadcast of Coriolanus starring Tom Hiddleston; James Graham’s new play Privacy
holding a microscope to our security and identity in the digital age; Josie Rourke’s production
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of The Weir transferring to the West End; Phyllida Lloyd’s all-female Henry IV challenging the
notion of who owns Shakespeare; and the first major London revival of the classic jazz
musical City of Angels. This year Robert Hastie’s revival of My Night with Reg has transferred to
the West End and Josie Rourke’s production of James Graham’s new play The Vote will be
broadcast live and in real time in partnership with Channel 4 on the night of the General
Election, 7 May.
The Donmar has recently moved into Donmar Dryden Street, a building which provides a
rehearsal, office and education space for the organisation.
A registered charity, with a turnover of around £5m/year, the Donmar is funded by a
combination of Arts Council England investment (10%), box office (35%) and fundraising from
individuals, Trusts and Foundations and corporate sponsorships (55%).
RESIDENT DESIGN ASSISTANT
Line Managed by
Deputy Production Manager
Reporting to
Deputy Production Manager
General Manager
Freelance Designers
Freelance Production Managers
Working with
Artistic Director
Executive Producer
Deputy General Manager
Freelance Directors
Location
3 Dryden Street, London WC2E 9NA
Terms
Full time, twelve months fixed term (including 3 month
probationary period)
Working hours
40 hours per week and evening work where necessary
Salary
£18,000
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Background
For over fifteen years, the Donmar has run one of the most successful training schemes for
young directors in the industry. Launched in 1994 the post of Resident Assistant Director (RAD)
is aimed at directors at the beginning of their careers and is a 12 month position during which
the RAD assists the directors on all six of the main stage Donmar productions.
As part of the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries Programme we are creating a similar role for
an emerging designer: RESIDENT DESIGN ASSISTANT.
During their 12 months with us the RESIDENT DESIGN ASSISTANT will work with a wide range
of world-class creatives, helping to create work for the Donmar stage as well as one-off events,
West End transfers and tours. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to:

work directly with world-class theatre designers on main stage Donmar productions.

fully immerse themselves in all the processes required to get a play from first
discussions between the director and designer to a fully realised production.

to develop their skills and confidence and to create a network of contacts within the
theatre industry.
The role is responsible for supporting the design process, tech and previews, and many other
aspects of the production process.
The RDA will have an external mentor provided by the Donmar and as part of the placement
there will also be a series of professional development events and opportunities for bursary
recipients run by the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries team.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Carrying out research for each designer prior to rehearsals
•
Assisting designers of up to six Donmar Productions including support on: propping,
model box creation, draughtsmanship, technical drawings, administration and
workshop visits
•
Shadowing of LX and sound designers
•
Assisting costume supervisors: Including sourcing, fittings and administration
•
Assisting props supervisors: Including sourcing and prop creation
•
Assisting freelance production managers and the Donmar’s Deputy Production
Manager with show realisation
•
Hands on technical experience at the Donmar Warehouse, assisting the production
team with get-ins, get outs and tech weeks
•
Designing additional elements to Donmar special events and spaces, such as Press
Nights, Front of House areas, takeover of found spaces and additional opportunities
•
Keeping staff up to date with current production and writing reports on the design
process
•
Being in attendance throughout production week, in technical and dress rehearsals,
previews and press night
•
Keeping an eye on the show and company and feeding back to designer and senior
management as required
•
Working with development and education departments on education work, talks,
activities and other events
•
Attending Director Forum evenings, including post-show discussions
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and the Donmar may, at any time, allocate other tasks
which are of a similar nature or level.
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Person Specification
 Experience of designing own work for theatre

Knowledge of plays, musicals and theatre practitioners

Flexible, practical and reactive

Excellent communication skills, able to work with a wide range of practitioners

Ability to prioritise, work well under pressure and adapt to new situations

‘Can-do’ attitude and attention to detail

Ability and willingness to work outside of normal office hours when required

Initiative to engage in work which arises from the production process.

Passion for the work of the Donmar

Desire to pursue a career as a theatre designer
Benefits (post probation)
 Travel season ticket loan

Subsidised gym membership

Theatre ticket allowance

Eye tests

Cycle to work scheme

Kiddie vouchers scheme

Hospital Club membership

3% pension contribution in Donmar’s stakeholder pension scheme and entitled to
contribute up to 3%
Additional Information
• The Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme is conducting an evaluation. This
involves applicants completing a brief and anonymous survey questionnaire, which will
not be used in assessing your application. Survey results will be held by Jerwood
Charitable Foundation and will not be shared with the organisation you have applied
to.
As part of your application for this programme, you must complete this survey, which
can be found at the following link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/26Y3DJK
You will be given a code on completion of the survey - please enter this code on your
application form in the space provided.
•
•
All successful bursary recipients will be required to take part in an evaluation of the
programme as a condition of their placement.
Although the placement is based in London, the successful applicant may be required
to travel elsewhere in the UK. Such travel and accommodation costs will be met by
the Donmar Warehouse.
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