JMK Award

JMK Award

The deadline for this role has now passed. We will be in touch with applicants shortly. 

The JMK Award was established in 1998 in memory of James Menzies-Kitchin, a young theatre director who died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 28, to encourage others to fulfil their potential as he had promised to do. The JMK Trust was founded to give opportunities to young theatre directors of similar ability and vision. The Award enables one outstanding applicant each year to create their own production. For many, winning the JMK Award is the breakthrough moment in their directing career with previous winners including; Adam Karim, Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, Diane Page, Roy Alexander-Weise, Josh Roche, Polly Findlay, Natalie Abrahmi, Bijan Sheibani, Thea Sharrock, and Joe Hill-Gibbons. 

The Young Vic is committed to providing opportunities for directors to develop their craft and to expand their knowledge and practice. In 2026, the JMK Award returns to the Young Vic with an exciting list of titles for prospective directors to choose from.

The winner of the JMK Award will stage their production in the Maria Studio Theatre in Autumn 2026. 

What are we looking for? 
We are looking for directors with raw talent, enthusiasm and passion who wish to pursue a career as a theatre director.

Before you apply:
Check out our JMK Award Information Session - watch a webinar hosted by Nadia Fall, Emma Baggot and Derek Bond offering further insight and advice into the Award and application process. Click here to watch the video.

How to apply: 
• Please download and read the Application pack 
• You will need to complete the Application Form, an Equal Opportunities Form and submit your CV 
• Please note that all applications are anonymised. You will need to remove your name and contacts both in and from your CV. 

Please send your completed application form and CV (with your name/contact details removed) to: creatorsprogram@youngvic.org.

We also accept applications via audio or video files. Please ensure that you are answering all the questions in the application form, and that your audio/video file lasts no more than 5 minutes. Applications are anonymised, so we will only use the transcript from your file. You can email your file to the same email above.

Applications  are now closed. We will be in touch with applicants shortly.