The Marlowe Society is a dramatic society of the University of Cambridge and every year puts on a production for a week at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. The Society appoints a professional Director, who works with actors and a production team from the University.

The Marlowe was founded in 1907 for the purpose of putting on Elizabethan and verse plays which were otherwise unstaged. The policy has developed since then, and the Marlowe is returning from a period of producing more contemporary classics to the more well known verse plays. The Marlowe has a reputation for producing plays to a high standard, with previous directors and members of the society including John Barton, Sir Peter Hall, Trevor Nunn, Tim Supple and Sam Mendes.

The Cambridge Arts Theatre has a capacity of ~650 and is a standard proscenium arch space. We have the support of all the staff there, and use of their resources. Rehearsal space is organised in the colleges of the University, and a range of spaces are available.

Your application should include a C.V. of recent work, some reviews if possible and a submission on your choice of Shakespeare plays. We ask you to choose two so that you can show a range of approach.

In your application we would like you to give a short explanation of your directorial approach to the play, how it might be staged including any design ideas for the production or particular marketing strategy, your work process to rehearse the production, and why the production might interest us - applicants should however go beyond just trying to write what they imagine we would wish to read! This application need not be lengthy as, if shortlisted, this can be expanded at interview.

Applicants should have some experience of directing in professional theatre. Applicants should be aware that the job will involve a small amount of educational involvement through the University's teaching programme and in liaison with the Arts Theatre's marketing department, though the time commitment will be minimal. Applicants must provide two references. Interviews for shortlisted applicants will be in Cambridge around the 20th June. This will involve a short practical session working with actors and an interview with the selection panel. You may also be sent a short piece of text to prepare for the workshop section or otherwise be asked to choose one to prepare.

For further information, including the contact details of the current Marlowe President, and address for applications, please see the Directors' Lab page on our blog. Applications may be either typewritten or emailed attachment.