MS Play/Musical Director

Illinois School District U-46; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 2,500 - 4,500; Part time

Job summary

Illinois School District U-46 is seeking a Middle School Play/Musical Director to build and sustain a high-quality theatre program. The role focuses on best-practice, student-centered instruction and coordination with the Fine Arts department to create opportunities for all students.

The position involves scheduling and supervising rehearsals, arranging production rights, coordinating design elements, and producing one public performance while ensuring compliance with district policies and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Education preferred; PEL preferred.
• High School Diploma required with related coursework/experience.

Responsibilities

• Implement instructional strategies engaging all students with differentiation.
• Communicate with parents, students, administrators, teachers, and community leaders.
• Maintain high expectations for achievement and behavior.
• Create stage blocking and show design.
• Train students in acting and blocking.
• Procure production rights and coordinate dates/spaces.
• Coordinate lighting, sound, props, costumes and set needs.
• Create publicity materials (programs, posters).
• Arrange and supervise parent volunteers and staff.
• Oversee 25 hours of rehearsal and manage production finances.
• Coordinate auditions and casting; supervise students during wait times.

Skills

Acting experience

Directing experience

Show production knowledge

Communication skills

Public relations

Interpersonal skills

Spanish language skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Education

PEL (Professional Educator License) preferred

High School Diploma

Related coursework/experience

Job description

|—————————————————————|—————————————————————–|
| ++Position / Title:++ Middle School Play/Musical Director |
| ++Bargaining Unit:++ ETA | ++Department/Location:++ MS Activities |
| ++Calendar Days:++ N/A | ++Reports To:++ MS Athletic Director/Building Administrator |
| ++JD Revision Date:++ 4/24/2024 | ++Supervises:++ N/A |

Function / Position Summary

To build and maintain a high-quality theatre program, focusing on best-practice, student-focused instruction and coordinating with the Fine Arts department to provide opportunities for students.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Implement researched-based instructional strategies that engage all students, differentiating to accommodate a range of ability levels, and acknowledging a variety of cultural backgrounds in order to support student learning and growth.
• Communicate effectively with parents, students, administrators, teacher colleagues, and community leaders.
• Maintain high expectations for student achievement and behavior and motivate students to work to their highest potential.
• Maintain equipment associated with the activity.
• Demonstrate prompt and regular attendance.
• Create an environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students.
• Cultivate a positive, harassment free, instructional culture which motivates students through the use of effective communication and constructive feedback.
• Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Apply and enforce student discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and appropriate student handbook.
• Create stage blocking and general show design.
• Train student performers in areas of acting and stage blocking.
• Procure production rights with the rental company.
• Secure show and rehearsal dates and spaces.
• 1 public performance.
• Ensure that all student paperwork is completed and on file, including liability waiver, media release, etc.
• Create/arrange publicity and graphic design needs (programs, posters, etc.).
• Arrange and coordinate parent volunteers and staff workers as needed.
• 25 hours of rehearsal.
• Manage and maintain records of the finances for the production.
• Coordinate and oversee lighting, sound, props, costumes, make-up, and set needs.
• Coordinate auditions. Communicate casting/personnel needs, making cuts as needed.
• Supervise students while waiting for rides.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Education preferred
• Appropriate Professional Educators License (PEL) preferred

• OR-

• High School Diploma required
• Related coursework and/or previous related experience required

Experience / Knowledge

• Previous acting experience required.
• Previous directing experience preferred.
• Knowledge of show production preferred.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback, and to conduct conferences as needed with parents, students, administrators, or other teachers.
• Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions, inquiries, and/or complaints.
• Display courtesy, tact, and respect when dealing with others.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships; demonstrate a commitment to teamwork.
• Ability and willingness to learn and refresh job skills through professional development in order to meet the changing needs of this position.
• Ability to react well under pressure, handle and balance multiple demands at one time, work with frequent unscheduled interruptions, and perform duties and tasks at expected levels of professionalism.
• Spanish language skills preferred.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, or carry heavy materials or equipment.
• Must work in noisy and crowded environments.
• Public contact requiring appropriate business-like apparel.

Terms of Employment

• This is an Appendix F stipend position in accordance with the school year calendar.
• For Non-ETA Coaches: this position is for this year only.
• Terms of employment will be determined in collaboration with the middle school athletic/activity director and building administration