Theater Director, Camp Kaleidoscope, JCC Summer Day Camp

JCC Greater Boston; Newton (MA); On-site; USD 8,000 - 9,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fitness center access

Free staff bus service

Job summary

JCC Greater Boston seeks a Theater Director to lead the Camp Kaleidoscope Theater Program this summer. You will direct two fully staged musicals, oversee auditions and rehearsals, and supervise costume, set, and prop creation on-site during the 9-week season.

You will lead a team of theater staff and 30–40 campers, coordinating schedules, ensuring safety, and fostering an inclusive, joyful environment that enhances campers’ growth and camp spirit.

Qualifications

• Experience directing 3+ musicals, preferably children’s theater.
• 1+ season of summer camp experience teaching or program planning for children.
• College degree or equivalent experience in Education or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the camp theater program, including directing two fully staged musicals.
• Supervise and mentor theater staff with leadership, feedback and support.
• Create and manage rehearsal schedules coordinating with camp leadership.

Skills

Theater direction

Team leadership

Auditions

Choreography

Safety

Education

High school diploma

Education degree preferred

Tools

Paylocity

Job description

Be a mentor. Lead with camp spirit. JCC Greater Boston is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Theater Director to join our Leadership Team this summer.

Be a mentor. Lead with camp spirit. JCC Greater Boston is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic Theater Director to join our Leadership Team this summer.

The Theater Director develops and oversees the Camp Kaleidoscope Theater Program, including directing two fully-staged musical and leading auditions and rehearsals, as well as supervising the creation of costumes, sets and props for the shows. This position is fully on-site and in-person during the summer camp season.

JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Wayland, Framingham, Natick, Needham, Newton and Wellesley during the summer season.

What you will do each day:

Throughout the summer you'll lead your team of theater staff and 30 - 40 campers in grades 4 - 8 in auditions, rehearsals and choreography as you prepare a fully staged musical to premier at the end of the 4 week camp session. Each summer we produce 2 fully-staged musical, which premier on week 4 and week 8 of camp. Week one typically holds auditions, followed by three weeks of preparation, from building sets and props to making costumes, learning choreography, and more. As Theater Director, you will be a visible, approachable leader for your staff and campers. You'll model patience, professionalism, and camp spirit while helping create a safe, inclusive, and joyful experience for every camper. By summer's end, you'll know you've made a lasting impact on both campers and staff.

Why work with us?

At our camps, the best part of the day is simple: the campers. Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games, cheering campers on at swim, creating art together, and bonding over shared interests. Staff describe camp as fun, dynamic, and inclusive. Here, you'll gain leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable experiences - for campers and yourself.

JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish

This is what our staff say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps:

• Bonding with the campers
• The activities
• Free swim
• Leadership opportunities
• Making close friends with co-counselors and camp staff

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Develop and oversee the camp theater program, including directing and producing two fully staged musical productions during the summer (week 4 and week 8 of camp)
• Supervise and mentor theater department staff (e.g., music director, stagecraft, costume, etc.) providing leadership, feedback, and support
• Create and manage rehearsal schedules, coordinating with camp leadership to balance theater programming with other camp activities
• Work in partnership with camp leadership to prepare family communications as needed regarding camper participation, performances, and schedule
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during rehearsals, performances, and other theater-related activities
• Foster a joyful, inclusive, and supportive environment where all campers feel valued and excited to participate in theater
• Oversee logistics and materials related to productions, including sets, props, costumes, and performance spaces
• Participate in camp-wide events and traditions, modeling enthusiasm and leadership

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise a team of 10 - 12 Theater Specialists, Counselors and seasonal camp staff as assigned.

Responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Work with Camp Director to streamline communications and manage priorities
• Coordinate, supervise and evaluate Theater department staff
• Train Theater department staff during staff training week
• Schedule and lead Theater staff meetings during the summer
• Provide ongoing coaching and oversight for Theater department staff

Standard staff expectations include and are not limited to:

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
• Actively participate as an essential team member
• Support JCC Greater Boston's mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
• Enthusiastically representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Boston's respected and valued, people-orientated workplace of diverse community services providers, which is rapidly growing!

JOB DETAILS: This is a seasonal, full-time, exempt position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting salary of $8,250 for the nine week season (equivalent to $22.92 per hour).

The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

This 8 week camp program is June 21 - August 20, including one week of staff training (9 weeks total). While we prefer candidates who are available all summer, we recognize that candidates may have other obligations and are happy to work with your schedule.

About JCC Greater Boston

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• High school degree required
• College degree, concentration or equivalent experience in Education or similar field of study and/or comparable experience preferred
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) experience teaching or program planning for children in a variety of settings
• Experience directing 3+ musicals, preferably children's theater, including middle school and high school theater programs
• Customer service experience preferred

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC's discretion to meet minimum criteria.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of theatrical productions, including how to structure auditions and rehearsals, and direct fully-staged musical theater productions
• Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
• Management and leadership skills, including coaching, feedback and accountability
• Excellent group management skills
• Ability to plan and lead age-appropriate, engaging, and inclusive activities
• Safety awareness and ability to manage risks during activities, communicating any issues and concerns with supervisors
• Ability to interface with digital tools and mobile apps (enter hours worked into Paylocity, note camper attendance on digital attendance forms, etc.)
• Exhibits leadership skills, including teamwork, patience, flexibility, and diplomacy
• Positive, energetic attitude and commitment to fostering an inclusive, joyful camp environment
• Proactive problem-solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
• Self-starter who takes the initiative
• Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
• Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
• Ability and commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership

Physical Requirements:

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities
• Ability to work in variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care.
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children's backpacks, etc.
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.

ADA Statement:

Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Benefits

In addition to offering rewarding work and great career opportunities within our mission-driven, values-driven, and family-centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers employees the generous benefits listed below.

JCCGB Perks! Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton! Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:

• Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees' children based on availability

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

A Great Place to Work!

JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

• Supportive colleagues
• Team camaraderie
• How their managers treat them
• Individual autonomy
• Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others
• Pride in working for the JCC
• Program and service quality
• Holding ourselves accountable

Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.