JR Musical Theatre Director

I Can Do That Performing Arts Center•Danville, CA

1d•$25 - $30

About The Position

The JR Musical Theatre Director leads the artistic and educational direction of youth musical theatre productions, including MTI Junior Productions and TWR Young@Part, for the junior program. The program primarily serves performers ages 11–14 and includes two casts of approximately 50 students each. The Director oversees the directing process, rehearsal experience, and performance execution while fostering a positive, educational, inclusive, and supportive environment. The role works closely with the Music Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, Programming Director, Artistic Director, designers, and production staff to create productions that support student growth, confidence, teamwork, and performance skills. The Director may also take on teaching artist duties, such as covering classes or rehearsals and leading classes, intensives, workshops, or training programs as needed. The position is part-time, approximately 25 hours per week including preparation and meetings. Weekly rehearsals are Monday through Friday between 3:45 and 5:45 p.m.; schedules may also include evenings and weekends. The appointment runs from February 1, 2027, through May 30, 2027. Pay is $25–$30 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Experience directing musical theatre productions, preferably with youth performers.
Strong understanding of musical theatre performance, storytelling, and the rehearsal process.
Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
Ability to lead and manage rehearsals with young performers.
Ability to collaborate effectively with a creative and production team.
Ability to create a positive, structured, and inclusive environment for young performers.
Availability for auditions and callbacks, scheduled rehearsals, production meetings, technical and dress rehearsals, performances, and requested load-in, strike, and post-show wrap-up.
Ability to accommodate schedules that may include evenings and weekends, and to complete additional planning and preparation outside scheduled rehearsal hours.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children and teens in educational, theatrical, or arts settings.
CPR/First Aid certification and/or ability to meet any background-check requirement under company policy.
Energetic, patient, and encouraging leadership style; passion for arts education and youth development.
Strong rehearsal management and problem-solving skills.
Commitment to inclusivity, creativity, collaboration, and teamwork; ability to balance high artistic standards with age-appropriate expectations.
Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced production environment and enthusiasm for supporting young performers’ growth onstage and offstage.

Responsibilities

Develop and communicate an artistic vision for each production.
Direct staging, character development, storytelling, and performance elements.
Guide students in acting technique, stage presence, ensemble work, and performance professionalism.
Create an educational, supportive rehearsal environment and adapt instruction to students’ ages, experience levels, and learning styles.
Plan and lead rehearsals with clear objectives, goals, and weekly priorities; prepare staging plans, materials, and production notes.
Teach and reinforce blocking, staging, character work, and performance material.
Coordinate with the Music Director or Assistant Director to integrate music, vocals, staging, and storytelling.
Coordinate with the Stage Manager on schedules, attendance, blocking notes, rehearsal needs, and production updates.
Maintain appropriate rehearsal discipline while encouraging creativity, participation, and a positive ensemble culture.
Attend production meetings and collaborate with creative and production teams, including costume, set, prop, lighting, projection, and sound teams.
Communicate production progress, student needs, and concerns to the Programming Director; provide timely feedback and support to performers and staff.
Communicate professionally with parents, guardians, and theatre staff as appropriate.
Foster an inclusive, respectful, encouraging, age-appropriate environment and uphold company policies related to youth programming, conduct, supervision, and safeguarding.
Prioritize student safety and wellbeing in staging, rehearsals, and production activities.
Participate in auditions and casting with program leadership and production staff.
Attend technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, scheduled performances, auditions, callbacks, and other required production activities.
Work with the Stage Manager to maintain consistency, continuity, and production quality throughout the run.
Assist with load-in, strike, cast party, and post-show wrap-up as requested.
Substitute for classes or rehearsals and lead designated classes, intensives, workshops, or training programs as needed.
Support the junior program’s educational goals and provide age-appropriate instruction that develops skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for musical theatre.