Do you want to discover and develop skills in directing family storytelling theatre?
On this short course, you will have the opportunity to work with a range of texts from fiction and non-fiction books and plays to create scenes for family or young people’s theatre. The course will be led by Tall Stories Artistic Director Toby Mitchell, with support from the Tall Stories team and professional actors. Through the sharing of ideas, participants will learn from each other whilst learning how to work with performers to tell an engaging story.
When and where is the course?
The course will be held over three days on Saturday 31 January, Saturday 7 and Saturday 14 February 2026, 10am to 6pm, at the Tall Stories Studio in Islington.
Who is the course for?
We are inviting applications from emerging directors interested in learning more about family storytelling theatre, aged 18 or over. Seven places will be offered out of eight with the eighth place being offered through commendation from another Tall Stories artist development application process.
You should have experience of theatre directing and/or assistant directing but as this is an introductory course, no family storytelling theatre experience is needed.
We are committed to identifying and reducing barriers which may ordinarily exclude people from continued professional development. We particularly encourage applications from people whose backgrounds or lived experience are underrepresented in previous applications to our artist development opportunities this includes people from the global majority, carers and from low socio-economic backgrounds.
We are also interested to hear from directors who live in Islington and neighbouring North London boroughs.
Cost
This course is free and Tall Stories will pay a £10 per day financial contribution towards the travel expenses of all participants for getting to and from the Tall Stories Studio, within the London area. If you live outside of London and need financial assistance with travel, please let us know when you apply, and we’ll take this into consideration.
How to Apply
How to apply
Please click here to go to the Tall Stories website, where you will find the application form and information pack.
The deadline for applications is 9am Monday 8 December 2025
All applicants will know the outcome of their application no later than Monday 15 December 2025.
If you have any questions, or if you would like this call out information or the application form in another format, feel free to contact [email protected] or 020 8348 0080.
While we have publicised this opportunity, please note that: (i) the application and selection process is managed by the advertising company/organisation; and (ii) we rely on them to: provide accurate, up-to-date details about themselves and the opportunity; ensure that opportunities are ethical and paid fairly. To report a listing, please email [email protected].