Theater Director - Musical

Illinois School District U-46; South Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 4,000 - 8,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Appendix F stipend

Job summary

Illinois School District U-46 is seeking a Director for Musical Theatre at South Elgin High School. The role focuses on building a high-quality program, coordinating with production staff, and providing student-focused instruction.

Responsibilities include leading the production team, securing show rights, creating publicity materials, and training performers in acting and blocking. A Bachelor’s in Theatre Education or teaching license is preferred, with a stipend-based, year-long commitment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in theatre or related field preferred.
• PEL with theatre endorsement preferred or valid teaching license.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Musical Theatre Production Team and coordinate with production staff.
• Procure show rights, secure dates and spaces, and manage publicity materials.
• Train student performers in acting and stage blocking; oversee choreography.
• Develop production design, blocking, and show management processes.
• Maintain equipment, finances, and administrative paperwork for the production.
• Attend all performances and coordinate volunteers and parent involvement.

Skills

Strong communication

Public relations

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Under pressure

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Education

PEL with Theatre Endorsement preferred

High School Diploma required

Job description

• Position Type: Appendix F - Extra Duty/ Non-Coaching
• Date Posted: 8/27/2026
• Location: South Elgin High School
• Date Available: 09/01/2026
• Closing Date: 06/01/2027

Position / Title: Musical Theatre: Director

Bargaining Unit: NAC Department/Location: HS Activities

Calendar Days: N/A Reports To: Building Athletics/Activities Director

JD Revision Date: 12/11/2023 Supervises: Musical Theatre Production Team

Function / Position Summary

To build and maintain a high-quality musical theatre program, focusing on best-practice, student-focused instruction and coordinating with the production staff 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.
• Provide a flowchart of the Production Team Members and their responsibilities to the Activities Director.
• Lead the Production Team.
• Collaborate with all of the production staff.
• Create/procure choreography as needed.
• Create stage blocking and general show design.
• Train student performers in areas of acting and stage blocking.
• Procure show rights with the rental parties.
• Secure show dates and spaces.
• Create/arrange publicity and graphic design needs (programs, posters, etc.).
• Arrange and coordinate parent volunteers as needed.
• Manage finances and administrative paperwork for the production.
• Ensure that all student paperwork is completed and on file, including liability waiver, media release, etc.
• 80 hours of rehearsal.
• Attend all performances.
• Attendance at Freshman Orientation and incoming 8th Grade Night, as applicable.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Education preferred
• Appropriate Professional Educator's License (PEL) with Theatre Endorsement preferred

-OR-

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

Experience / Knowledge

• Previous acting experience required.
• 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.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, or carry heavy materials or equipment, including set pieces and other related 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 to 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 athletic/activity director.