Paid Internship: Assistant Director

Masterclass and Sonia Friedman Productions are offering a paid Assistant Director Internship on the London production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This is an exceptional development opportunity for someone aiming to gain the necessary experience to become a Resident or Associate Director on large-scale commercial production. 

About the Show: 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a uniquely complex and busy show, with over 40 cast members and a huge team off stage across multiple departments, all working together to realise the production. Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, this play written by Jack Thorne and directed by John Tiffany received its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in summer 2016. The critically acclaimed production is the most awarded West End play in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards, including Best New Play and Best Director in 2017. 

The Assistant Director Intern will shadow and work closely with the Associate and Resident Directors across recast, technical and understudy rehearsals, learning how a show of this scale balances rehearsing new and continuing company members with maintaining the quality of the performances. 

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:  

• Script supervision, rehearsal supervision and support as required  

• Scheduling support and liaising with company management 

• Gathering and sharing research materials 

• Liaising with creatives and technical departments 

• Taking notes as required by the directors 

• Attending understudy rehearsals, including tech and dress rehearsals of Understudy company and supporting the directors as required. 

Key Dates:

📆 Internship: 18 August – 2 November 2025
⏰ Apply by: 9am, Tuesday 27 May
🎤 Interviews: Early June
💰 Paid at London Living Wage
📍 Based at the Palace Theatre, London (please note: no step-free access)

Who Should Apply: 

We're looking for Directors or Assistant Directors who: 
✔ Must be aged 18+ 
✔ Have worked on a commercial or mid-scale show  
✔ Demonstrate that they understand the Assistant Director role  
✔ Are collaborative, observant, and can work under pressure  
✔ Have not had a long-term attachment to a major theatre or production company (for example in an Associate role)  
✔ Have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship 

Given the nature of this role we are exceptionally accepting applications from candidates aged over 30 who can demonstrate that they have faced obstacles to progression*. Candidates aged under 30 must be a Masterclass Member (click here for more info & to join for free). 

*Our internships vary from entry-level placements to later career development opportunities. This role is a career development opportunity, specifically for Directors or Assistant Directors who have experience working at mid-scale, but might be lacking the necessary skills to make the step up to large scale productions. We particularly welcome and encourage candidates from backgrounds which are currently underrepresented in the offstage workforce, although we regret that due to the nature of the venue there is no step-free access.