Founded in 1984, TADA! Youth Theater inspires young people from different backgrounds to be creative, learn, and think differently through high-quality musical theater productions, and educational programs. TADA!’s vision is that all young people grow up feeling successful, creative, confident, accepted, and accepting of themselves. Through the ability of people learning to express themselves well, we can break down barriers of racism and inequality and create positive, active citizens. The Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET), is a diverse, free, year-round pre-professional training and positive youth development program with youth ages 8-18 from all over New York City’s 5 boroughs and parts of New Jersey.

Drama Desk Award-winning TADA! Youth Theater actively seeks Directors for its production season. Ensemble Members have a variety of experience and abilities. Applicants should have a passion for, experience with and love working with youth ages 8-18, have a lot of energy, and be a great communicator and collaborator with young performers and adult collaborators.  

Compensation: Part-time salaried position, weekly salary of $600, paid bimonthly through payroll.

• Winter Production Commitment: November 16, 2021 – Feb 6, 2022 (Paid for 9 full weeks, 7 of which is rehearsal) 
  • Auditions: Dec 3rd 3:30-8:00pm and Dec 4th 1:00-6:00pm
  • Rehearsals: Dec 3rd-Feb 5th (Holiday Break Dec 19th-Jan 5th)
  • Basic rehearsal schedule: Weds and Thurs 3:30-7:00pm; Fri 3:30-8:00pm and Sat 1:00-6:00pm.
  • The Director does not always have to be at rehearsals when it’s the Musical Director and/or Choreographer’s time to work.  
  • Tech Rehearsal Schedule: Jan 29th-Feb. 5th; Saturday and Sunday 11:00-7:00pm; Wed-Fri 3:30-8:00pm
  • Production Meetings and Prep Work happen outside of rehearsal hours and start in November
  • Performances: February 5th-27th basically Saturday and Sunday 2pm & 4:30pm 
• Spring Production Commitment: mid-Jan – March 27, 2022 (Paid for 9 full weeks, 7 weeks of which is rehearsal) 
  • See above for basic idea of schedule and time commitment. 
  • Auditions: Feb 9th; Rehearsals: Feb 10th-March 25th; Performances: March 25th-April 9th

Responsibilities will include:

• Setting a creative vision for the musical and managing its implementation from idea to execution through clear articulation and communication; including selecting the cast from the RYET with the Choreographer, Musical Director, TADA!’s Associate Director of Ensemble Program, and the Producing Artistic Director, collaborating with designers to ensure artistic vision is articulated, blocking the musical’s movements, leading rehearsals, and monitoring the production’s pacing.
• Oversee all elements to ensure the project is cohesive while sticking with an aesthetic and concept from start to finish.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the TADA! staff including Producing Artistic Director, Designers, Artists, Cast (composed of RYET members) , Marketing staff, Press Representative, Development staff, production staff and crew. Create close partnerships across the company to work as a cohesive team.
• Working with Musical Director and Choreographer to ensure the quality of the production is what is successful
• Creating specific rehearsal schedules with the Stage Manager, Musical Director, and Choreographer that adheres to TADA!’s weekly time constraints and will guarantee that the musical is ready to open successfully and on time
• Over the course of rehearsals, working closely with the Musical Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, and with young actors on overall technique within a positive youth development framework, ensuring the quality of the production, and speaking on the importance of process as well as finished product.

Applicants should email their cover letter and resume with references to Ashley Knowles, Associate Director of Ensemble Program, for consideration, aknowles@tadatheater.com.