Stage Manager, Yachad Chicago

Orthodox Union; Illinois; On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Yachad, a division of The Orthodox Union, seeks a proactive Stage Manager for its Spring Musical production in the Skokie area. The role supports rehearsals, tech rehearsals, and performances, coordinating schedules and communications to ensure smooth operations for participants with disabilities and the wider community.

This part-time, temporary position requires strong organizational skills, prior stage management experience, and comfort working in an Orthodox Jewish environment.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and communication skills required.
• Previous experience as a working professional stage manager preferred.
• Comfortable working in an Orthodox Jewish environment.
• Experience working with disabled adults is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Attend production meetings and collaborate with the director, designers, and production staff.
• Attend auditions to meet participants and become a familiar face.
• Develop and maintain rehearsal schedules, contact lists, and paperwork with the Director and Production Manager.
• Set up the rehearsal room and manage rehearsals.
• Supervise the Assistant Stage Manager and backstage helpers.
• Record blocking, notes, and changes; communicate needs to designers.
• Create necessary production paperwork and accommodations for IDD participants.
• Call lighting, sound, projection, and other cues during tech rehearsals and performances.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Stage management experience

Microsoft Suite

Canva

Orthodox Jewish environment experience

Experience with disabled adults

Tools

Microsoft Office

Canva

Job description

Description

This position is Part Time/Temporary (with the possibility of continued work)

Who We Are

Yachad, a division of The Orthodox Union, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish organization, supports individuals with intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities. Yachad helps these individuals participate more fully in Jewish life and the broader society by providing educational, employment and relationship opportunities.

The Orthodox Union (OU) is the largest Orthodox Jewish organization in the U.S., founded in 1898. The OU supports a vast network of synagogues, youth programs, advocacy efforts, services for individuals with disabilities, and international initiatives. It also operates the leading kosher certification service, recognized globally by the symbol on numerous kosher food products.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and proactive Stage Manager to support our Spring Musical Production. Our Spring Musical (title yet to be announced) is a collaborative effort between our participants with disabilities and members of the greater Jewish community. The musical serves as a way for all to showcase their talents to the community in an inclusive setting. The show is also an educational opportunity to learn about ensemble collaboration and theater techniques. The Stage Manager will support the director in leading rehearsals, managing schedules and communication, and ensuring that rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and performances run smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

Responsibilities

Pre-Production

• Attend production meetings and collaborate with the director, designers, and production staff.
• Attend auditions to meet Yachad participants and become a familiar face.
• Develop and maintain rehearsal schedules, contact lists, and production paperwork in collaboration with the Director and Production Manager

Rehearsals

• Set up the rehearsal room
• Attend and stage manage all scheduled rehearsals.
• Supervise the Assistant Stage Manager and any backstage helpers
• Record blocking, line notes, and rehearsal changes.
• Communicate production needs and changes to designers through regular rehearsal reports.
• Draft weekly rehearsal recaps for community volunteer performers, in collaboration with the Director.
• Create any necessary paperwork including but not limited to a scene breakdown, props list, deck sheets, assistive scripts, etc.
• Support IDD participants by providing additional accommodations, schedules, answering questions, etc.
• Attend production meetings and collaborate with the director, designers, and production staff.

Technical Rehearsals & Performances

• Create schedules for tech week and performances in collaboration with the Production Manager
• Set up backstage and onstage with the Assistant Stage Manager
• Ensure backstage helpers have proper training in offstage responsibilities
• Manage Tech Rehearsals to ensure all elements come together
• Call lighting, sound, projection, and other production cues.
• Ensure all production elements are performed consistently.

Production Closeout

• Assist with strike and production wrap-up activities

Schedule

• Generally, 8-10 hours a week (exceptions for tech and show week)
• Pre-production: Nov-Dec 2026
• Auditions: January 11 and 13
• Rehearsals: 5:00-8:30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, January – June 2027 (approx. 5.5 months; includes 1-hour rehearsal setup and 0.5-hour breakdown)
• Tech Rehearsals: June 16-17 and 20-22
• Performance Dates: currently scheduled for June 23rd and 24th, 2027 (subject to change due to venue availability)
• Location of rehearsals: Wi-Fi Building- Skokie, IL
• Location of Performance: TBD, in Northern Chicago/Suburbs

Qualifications

• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Previous experience as a working professional stage manager
• Experience in Microsoft Suite and Canva is a plus
• Comfortable working in an Orthodox Jewish Environment
• Previous experience working with Disabled Adults a plus

Compensation

• Hourly Pay for rehearsals, including tech and performances (expected to be around 200 hours)
• Hourly Pay for outside rehearsal time, including paperwork and production meetings, up to 40 additional hours
• Rate of Pay: $23-26/per hour, commensurate with experience