There are not nearly enough practical opportunities for the training and development of early stage theatre directors in the UK. The JMK Trust has identified a huge need from a large network of emerging theatre directors, desperate for the kind of support that we can offer. Direct Access is the only scheme of its kind to offer early stage directors over 30 these opportunities, and we hope to continue to innovate for all ages.

Direct Access workshops benefits individuals wishing to pursue a career as a theatre director. We work with partner theatres across the country, taking the work and ethos of the JMK Trust to nationwide participants via day-long workshops. We encourage individuals to develop the skills needed to succeed as theatre directors and to provide cultural activities to enrich their local communities. Our pilot scheme in 2009 reached 283 participants across five venues.