JR Musical Theatre Director

I Can Do That Performing Arts Center•Danville, CA

About The Position

The JR Program Director leads the artistic and educational direction of youth musical theatre productions, including MTI Junior Productions and TWR Young@Part, for a junior program primarily serving performers ages 11–14. The program includes two casts of approximately 50 children 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 responsibilities, such as substituting for classes or 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. The engagement is scheduled for February 1, 2027 through May 30, 2027. Rehearsals may include evenings and weekends, and additional preparation outside scheduled rehearsal hours may be required.

Requirements

Experience directing musical theatre productions; youth performer experience is preferred.
Strong understanding of musical theatre performance, storytelling, and the rehearsal process.
Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
Ability to effectively 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.
CPR/First Aid certification and/or a background check may be required based on company policy.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children and teens in educational, theatrical, or arts settings.
Energetic, patient, and encouraging leadership style.
Passion for arts education and youth development.
Strong rehearsal management and problem-solving skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and 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.
Enthusiasm for helping young performers grow onstage and offstage.

Responsibilities

Develop and communicate an artistic vision for each production, and 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 direction to different ages, experience levels, and learning styles.
Plan and lead rehearsals with clear objectives; set rehearsal goals and communicate weekly priorities to the production team.
Teach and reinforce blocking, staging, character work, and performance material.
Collaborate 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.
Attend production meetings and communicate with the Programming Director about production progress, student needs, and concerns.
Provide timely feedback, direction, and support to performers and staff, and communicate professionally with parents, guardians, and theatre staff as appropriate.
Collaborate with costume, set, prop, lighting, projection, and sound teams.
Foster an inclusive, respectful, encouraging, and age-appropriate environment; model professionalism, preparedness, kindness, and positive leadership.
Support performers with varied experience, confidence levels, and abilities, and encourage confidence, independence, teamwork, responsibility, and performance skills.
Prioritize student safety and wellbeing and uphold company policies for youth programming, conduct, supervision, and safeguarding.
Participate in auditions and casting with program leadership and production staff.
Prepare rehearsal materials, staging notes, and other production materials.
Attend all technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and scheduled performances, and work with the Stage Manager to maintain consistency and production quality.
Assist with load-in, strike, cast party, and post-show wrap-up as requested.
Substitute for classes or rehearsals when needed; lead designated classes, intensives, workshops, or training programs based on program needs and expertise.
Support the junior program's educational goals and provide age-appropriate instruction that develops skills, confidence, and enthusiasm for musical theatre.