TW Kids Program Director

StageAgent; Milford (CT); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

TheatreWorks Kids is seeking a Director of TWKids to serve as the creative and operational lead for a vibrant youth program. This role blends artistry with administration, education with empathy, and structure with theatrical magic.

You will select and direct productions, oversee casting, rehearsals, and performances, and collaborate with design and technical teams to bring each show to life within budget. You will also design themed intensives and supervise teaching artists and staff.

Qualifications

• Experience directing youth theater productions and/or arts education programs.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills with both young people and adults.
• Background in theater education, directing, or a related field.
• Experience developing curriculum for youth arts programs.
• Familiarity with child development principles, especially early childhood (ages 5–8).
• Leadership that inspires confidence and curiosity.
• Commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equitable access to the arts.
• Afternoons, occasional evenings, and weekends required.

Responsibilities

• Select, develop, and direct (or hire directors for) three age-appropriate productions per season.
• Oversee casting, rehearsals, and performances, ensuring an inclusive and educational environment.
• Collaborate with design and technical teams to bring each production to life within budget and scope.
• Maintain high artistic standards while centering youth development and ensemble-building.
• Design and implement two themed theater intensives on topics like musical theater or Shakespeare for youth.
• Retain and supervise teaching artists and support staff.
• Structure curriculum that culminates in a showcase performance.
• Ensure a balance of skill-building, creativity, and fun.
• Develop and oversee a playful, age-appropriate curriculum focused on imagination, movement, storytelling, and basic performance skills.
• Manage a rotating monthly schedule (Tuesdays and Saturday mornings).
• Train instructors to work effectively with early childhood learners.
• Foster a welcoming environment for first-time performers and their families.
• Build and manage program budgets in collaboration with leadership.
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate teaching artists, directors, musical directors, and seasonal staff.
• Coordinate scheduling across productions, classes, and intensives.
• Maintain clear communication with families, staff, and organizational leadership.
• Support marketing and outreach efforts to grow program enrollment and community engagement.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, child protection, and accessibility policies.

Skills

Youth theater directing

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Curriculum development

Theater education background

Leadership

Diversity & inclusion

Child development knowledge

Job description

If you believe that theater can change lives—and that the smallest actors often deliver the biggest truths,we invite you to step into the spotlight with TheatreWorks Kids.

The Director of TWKids is the creative and operational lead for a vibrant youth program producing three staged plays per season, two week-long intensives, and a foundational theater program (Rising Stars) for ages 5–8.This role blends artistry with administration, education with empathy, and structure with a touch of theatrical magic.

Responsibilities

• Select, develop, and direct (or hire directors for) three age-appropriate productions per season.
• Oversee casting, rehearsals, and performances, ensuring an inclusive and educational environment.
• Collaborate with design and technical teams to bring each production to life within budget and scope.
• Maintain high artistic standards while centering youth development and ensemble-building.
• Design and implement two themed theater intensives (e.g., musical theater, devised work, Shakespeare for youth).
• Retain and supervise teaching artists and support staff.
• Structure curriculum that culminates in a showcase performance.
• Ensure a balance of skill-building, creativity, and fun.
• Develop and oversee a playful, age-appropriate curriculum focused on imagination, movement, storytelling, and basic performance skills.
• Manage a rotating monthly schedule (Tuesdays and Saturday mornings).
• Train instructors to work effectively with early childhood learners.
• Foster a welcoming environment for first-time performers and their families.
• Build and manage program budgets in collaboration with leadership.
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate teaching artists, directors, musical directors, and seasonal staff.
• Coordinate scheduling across productions, classes, and intensives.
• Maintain clear communication with families, staff, and organizational leadership.
• Support marketing and outreach efforts to grow program enrollment and community engagement.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, child protection, and accessibility policies.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience directing youth theater productions and/or arts education programs.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to work with children across age groups (5–18).
• Excellent communication skills with both young people and adults.
• Background in theater education, directing, or a related field.
• Experience developing curriculum for youth arts programs.
• Familiarity with child development principles, especially early childhood (ages 5–8).
• A sense of humor and comfort with controlled chaos.
• Creative vision paired with practical execution
• Patience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence
• Leadership that inspires confidence and curiosity
• Commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and equitable access to the arts
• Afternoons, occasional evenings, and weekends required.
• High-energy environment with frequent interaction with children.
• Occasional glitter exposure unavoidable.