Ready to Direct

Ready to take the next step in your directing career?

SETC’s Ready to Direct  is a selective professional development program for early-career directors. Selected participants receive portfolio preparation, direct a 10-minute work at the SETC convention,  meet other established professional theatre artists, and receive opportunities for interviews with companies seeking emerging directing talent.

Up to two directors will be selected to participate in the 2027 Ready to Direct program at the SETC Convention in Lexington, Kentucky. 

Selected directors may also be considered for a directing contract or other professional directing opportunity during the 2027–2028 season with an SETC hiring theatre. 

Participating theatres may identify ready to direct candidates for directing, assistant-directing, or artistic fellowship opportunities and receive a placement grant from SETC to support qualifying paid engagements. SETC may provide up to two support grants of up to $1,000 to  participating companies upon an approved contract for a ready to direct candidate during the 2027-2028 season.

Who Should Apply?

Ready to Direct is designed for early-career directors who are building professional experience and are ready to connect with theatre companies seeking emerging directing talent.

Applicants must:

• Have at least two directing credits, including at least one full-length production.

• Have completed formal or informal directing training. This may include an undergraduate or graduate theatre program, assistant directing experience, directing internships, theatre or community arts courses, or similar professional development.

• Be actively seeking professional directing experience and mentorship.

• Be available year round to accept a directing contract or other professional directing opportunity during the 2027–2028 season.

• Be able to attend the SETC Convention and participate in all required Ready to Direct activities Wednesday, March 3 evening and Thursday, March 4.

How Ready to Direct Works

1. Apply

Directing candidates will submit a Ready to Direct application which requires:

• A directing portfolio/website which could include past productions, directing concepts, or other production materials. 

• Resume

• An Artistic Statement describing your directing process, philosophy, artistic interests, and professional goals. 

• A professional letter of recommendation

Applications are reviewed by a committee of professional directors. Up to two directing candidates will be selected for the 2027 program.

Application Deadline

Ready to Direct applications are open through January 1, 2027.

Selection for the program does not guarantee employment, a fellowship, internship, or directing contract.

2. Prepare Your Professional Portfolio

Selected directors will participate in a virtual pre-convention portfolio workshop with a professional director.

Candidates will be guided in the preparation of self-promotional materials, which may include:

• A directing portfolio which could include past productions, directing concepts, or other production materials

• Resume

• Business card and logo

The workshop will help candidates strengthen how they present themselves and their work to potential employers.

3. Explore the Scripts

Selected directors will receive a selection of plays from the Getchell New Play Award semi-finalists. From these plays, the directors will choose a 10-minute scene. 

Directors will review the available material and begin considering their approach to the text, including casting needs, storytelling choices, rehearsal priorities, and their overall directing concept. Note: the rehearsal takes place in convention rooms with only chairs available to use for staging. No other props or scenic elements will be provided.

4. Cast Your Scene

At Convention, Ready to Direct participants will attend the Short Play Festival auditions and select actors for their scenes.

5. Enter the Rehearsal Lab

Each director will receive a dedicated rehearsal period to work with their cast.

Directors may use this time for table work, staging, script analysis, exercises, character development, or other rehearsal techniques appropriate to their process.

The rehearsal lab takes place in convention meeting rooms. Chairs will be available for staging; additional scenic elements and props will not be provided.

Professional theatre representatives participating in Ready to Direct will be invited to observe directors during the rehearsal process.

This allows hiring companies to see not only the finished work, but also how each director communicates, collaborates, problem-solves, and works with actors in the room.

6. Connect with Hiring Companies

During and following the rehearsal lab, participating theatre representatives may speak with directors about their work and may invite candidates to additional conversations or interviews during the convention.

Ready to Direct candidates are also encouraged to attend the SETC Theatre Job Fair to continue building connections and exploring professional opportunities.

7. Present Your Work

Ready to Direct participants will present their 10-minute scenes as part of SETC’s Short Play Festival.

The performance gives directors an opportunity to share the results of their rehearsal process with convention attendees.

8. Meet the Lunch Bunch

Ready to Direct candidates meet at a predetermined time and location to have lunch together, to further create and build community.

9. Continue the Conversation

Following the Convention, SETC will follow up with participating directors and companies regarding potential employment opportunities and Ready to Direct grant recipients.

Hiring decisions and employment terms are determined between the director and hiring theatre.

Additional Ready to Direct Opportunities

States Luncheon

Selected Ready to Direct participants will be recognized during the States Luncheon at the Convention. The luncheon will also provide an opportunity for participants to connect with Ready to Direct leadership, members of the directing community, and other Convention attendees.

Theatre Job Fair

Participants are encouraged to attend the SETC Theatre Job Fair to meet additional hiring organizations and explore directing and other professional theatre opportunities.

Directing Programming

Ready to Direct participants are also encouraged to attend SETC directing workshops, presentations, discussions, and other professional development opportunities available throughout the Convention.

Application Deadline

Ready to Direct applications are open through January 1, 2027.