National Theatre appoints Clint Dyer as deputy artistic director

Clint Dyer has been appointed deputy artistic director of the National Theatre.

The writer and director will join the NT’s senior leadership team, working alongside director and joint chief executive Rufus Norris and head of new work Emily McLaughlin to oversee the theatre’s creative output.

Norris described Dyer as a "remarkable artist", and said the appointment was representative of a trend at the NT in which it is now working with more theatremakers than at any time in its history.

"As well as making his own work, Clint will play a vital role in supporting these artists to create world-leading theatre for the NT’s stages and beyond. I’m looking forward hugely to working closely together and having him join the team as we focus on shaping the future of the NT," Norris said.

Dyer was appointed an associate at the NT in October, shortly before his production of Death of England: Delroy – a collaboration with playwright Roy Williams – reopened the NT’s Olivier theatre after the first lockdown.

During his career, he has worked on full-scale NT productions as an actor, a writer and a director, the only black British artist to have done so.

Dyer’s current directing projects include the forthcoming Bob Marley musical Get Up, Stand Up!, which is due to open in the West End this year.

He said: "To be joining the National Theatre at such a crucial time for our sector is incredibly stimulating. I was lucky enough last year to experience first-hand the hard work and dedication from every single member of staff at the NT that went into achieving so much against all the odds.

"This is a time when our industry is still very much feeling the impact from the pandemic and the events of 2020. I know that the National is looking to emerge from this period with a renewed commitment to make world-class theatre that celebrates the breadth of our nation. I am thrilled and honoured to be part of the team that will be making that happen."

The NT has been without a deputy artistic director since Ben Power left the role in 2019.