NEW YORK CITY CENTER has played a defining role in the cultural life of the city since 1943. The distinctive Neo-Moorish building was founded by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia as Manhattan’s first performing arts center with the mission of making the best in theater, dance, and music accessible to all audiences. This commitment continues today through celebrated dance and musical theater series like the Fall for Dance Festival and the Tony-honored Encores! series; the annual season by Principal Dance Company Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; and new dance series Artists at the Center.

City Center welcomes audiences to experience internationally acclaimed artists including Kyle Abraham, Matthew Bourne, Ayodele Casel, Manhattan Theatre Club, Nederlands Dans Theater, and Twyla Tharp, on the same stage where legends made their mark. Dedicated to a culture built on the values of curiosity, collaboration, accessibility, and inclusivity, City Center’s dynamic programming, art exhibitions, and studio events are complemented by education and community engagement programs that bring the performing arts to thousands of New York City students, teachers, and families every year, in all five boroughs.

The Encores! Directing Fellow will work closely with the Directors and Associate Directors of the Encores! Series every season. They will attend rehearsals and be present for production meetings throughout pre-production, rehearsal, and tech. The Fellow will provide note-taking support, may be asked to run lines with actors, or stand in for actors who are not present while blocking is being reviewed. The Fellow will gain an intimate look into how Directors synthesize dynamics between all creative departments and manage time within truncated rehearsal processes.

Timeline & Compensation

• Dec 2023 – Jun 2024
  • Once Upon a Mattress: Mid-December – Late January
  • Jelly’s Last Jam: Late January – Late February
  • Titanic: Mid-May – Mid-June
• $17/hour for a total of 14 weeks, weekly hours vary

• The Fellow will experience the full scope of City Center’s Encores! season as a participant in the creative process for all three Encores! Productions.
• Under the guidance of three different Directing teams, the Fellow will discover new opportunities for networking, mentorship, observance, and involvement.
• Specialized career-development opportunities will be offered including seminars and individualized networking.
• Prior to the first Encores! production, the fellow will participate in paid orientation.

Qualified candidates will possess:

• 1+ years of experience in Directing
• Familiarity with the musical theater rehearsal & production process

To learn more about New York City Center and access the Fellowship application, please visit the Creative Fellowships website.  The application closes on Thursday, October 26 at 6pm.