The Genesis Foundation salutes David Lan as he steps down as artistic director of the Young Vic after 18 extraordinary years
13 June 2017
John Studzinski, Founder & Chairman of the Genesis Foundation today saluted Davin Lan’s numerous achievements at the Young Vic during his time as artistic director and his long-term partnership with the Genesis Foundation, as he steps down after 18 years.
“The Genesis Foundation believes in backing visionary artistic leaders who nurture and mentor others and we couldn’t have asked for a more inspiring partner than David. He’s been a true partner with us for over 13 years and together we’ve helped over 1,000 young theatre professionals in innovative programmes that have really delivered.
“At the Young Vic David created a culture that allowed people to be challenged, to fail and to fly while always giving them an experience that enriched and emboldened them as artists. Such vision and passion is rare in our world and for the Genesis Foundation to have supported his work for nearly 15 years has been a privilege and a joy. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter in David’s life brings to him personally and to the art world.”
The Genesis Foundation supports the Young Vic by funding a number of programmes including:
Genesis Future Directors Award nurtures and develops emerging young directors by providing them with an invaluable opportunity to explore and develop their craft while creating their first fully resourced production at the Young Vic by being supported and mentored by the theatre’s unique creative network.
Genesis Fellowship is a two-year grant that enables its recipient to work closely with David Lan as they develop their craft as a theatre director. The current recipient is the theatre director and playwright Gbolahan Obisesan. Former Genesis Fellows include Carrie Cracknell and Joe Hill-Gibbins.
Genesis Fellow Production Fund contributes towards the research, workshopping and staging costs required over the Fellow’s two year position, enabling them to work in the best possible conditions, supported by the whole of the Young Vic team.
Genesis Directors Network is an online area that has become an invaluable forum for members to share their experiences and seek advice. The network encourages a sense of community and peer support amongst its members with independent producers, theatre companies and writers using it to find directors for their projects. Annual opportunities such as bursaries, traineeships and masterclasses are also publicised through the network to its membership of over 1,000 professionals.
For more information on the partnership between the Young Vic and the Genesis Foundation please click here.
