The role will require an understanding of literary development, the commissioning process and the journey between idea and production.  It requires the ability to offer an articulate and informed dramaturgical conversation, and to build productive working artistic relationships, to identify artists, projects and material of promise and to forge connections between creative practitioners and the opportunities within the New Work Department and on NT’s stages. As the Associate dramaturg will regularly be asked to propose material for adaptation and development, the role requires an extensive knowledge of canonical classics and understanding of the processes of adaptation, including identification of source texts and assembly of creative teams.  Finally, the position requires a strategic overview of the NT’s repertoire to guide artistic choices, as well as a proven track record in bringing ambitious and excellent ideas to life.

The successful candidate will have the following:  

• Demonstrable experience of literary development and an understanding of the commissioning process with a track record as an incisive, articulate and assiduous reader and assessor of scripts.

• Strong working knowledge of the Western literary canon and the criteria and processes for supporting adaptation and versioning of canonical texts by living writers.

• An in-depth knowledge of contemporary British and international theatre, and the National Theatre’s role within it. 

• Experience in production dramaturgy and artistic development at every stage from inception to production, steering new work into production with writers, directors or other theatre makers.

• Experience in seeding and supporting artistic collaboration, building creative teams and delivering work at scale.