The Joseph Rowntree Theatre is pleased to announce an exciting new phase in the development of our in-house productions.

For almost a decade, the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company (JRTC) has played a vital role in supporting the theatre’s fundraising efforts, raising over £60,000 since its first production of ‘The Producers’ back in 2018. Through the production of high-quality and large-scale musicals, JRTC has also helped to nourish the theatre’s community and creative impact.

Building on this strong foundation, we are excited to be expanding our in-house programme as we open the door to a broader range of productions. As part of this development, we are inviting pitches for three shows to be staged next year. These will be staged under the banner of ‘Joseph Rowntree Theatre Presents’ and will be overseen by a volunteer committee led by our Creative Director Kathryn.

We welcome a wide variety of ideas, including plays, small-scale musicals, and innovative or original work. This is an opportunity for creatives to bring fresh perspectives and exciting stories to our stage, contributing to the continued growth and diversity of our programme.

If you would like to be considered to direct a show with us, please submit a written pitch of approximately 1-2 sides of A4 detailing your ideas. Please submit this to communityproductions@jrtheatre.co.uk by midnight on Saturday 31 May 2026.

You can find further information and guidance about what to include in your pitch submission here.

Alongside this expansion, we are also looking to establish a new volunteer committee to help support and lead our in-house productions. We are keen to hear from anyone interested in getting involved, regardless of prior experience. Opportunities are available for those who would like to assist with administrative tasks, marketing support, or work alongside production teams with set building and props. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the creative process and contribute to the success of our growing programme.

If you are interested in getting involved in our new volunteer committee, please email Kathryn at kathryn.lay@jrtheatre.co.uk.

Our commitment to large-scale musical theatre with a large ensemble involvement remains unchanged, and these productions will continue to be delivered by the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company in their usual February and summer slots.

We look forward to receiving any proposals and collaborating with you to shape an engaging and dynamic season ahead!