PROCTORS COLLABORTIVE
TITLE: Summer Stage Young Acting Company Director
DEPARTMENT: Collaborative School of the Arts at theREP
REPORTS TO: Associate Artistic Directorat theREP and Artistic Director at the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY
JOB SUMMARY:
Proctors Collaborative is the largest cultural institution in the Capital Region with performing arts venues in Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga, and education, civic engagement and economic development initiatives throughout the region. The Collaborative School of the Arts is the education wing of the organization, offering a robust series of training programs, classes and engagement programs in each venue, in schools and throughout the community.
Collaborative School of the Arts at theREP seeks an experienced director who is a dynamic teacher and engaging leader for the 2025 Summer Stage Young Acting Company’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Produced in partnership with the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY (BTTUNY). Summer Stage Young Acting Company is a training program for aspiring young actors. This company is made up of students ages 10-14. The program is led by a team of theatre professionals with the support of Proctors and Capital Repertory Theatre staff. All creative and production staff share the responsibility of working with students, providing training as they work collaboratively on the show. The primary goal is the highest quality theatre training and educational experience students can receive in a professional working theatre.
The Director for this production has the primarily responsibility for developing, implementing and ensuring the highest artistic quality and success of all aspects of the annual summer show to be produced at theREP. As a reflection of the Theatre’s and BTTUNY’s values, Director will foster collaborative relationships to plan, develop designs and schedules, and supervise creative staff to deliver a successful program on time and on budget. The Director reports to the Associate Artistic Director at theREP and the Artistic Director of BTTUNY and works in coordination with Proctors administrative team to establish procedures and protocols for this endeavor.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for direction of show and corresponding meetings and activities with all technical personelle.
- Responsible for the development and implementation of innovative and age-appropriate enrichment activities, and projects taking into consideration youth needs and abilities, including but not limited to: theatre games; basic theatre terms/etiquette; creating and implementing a warmup routine; acting techniques; movement for the stage; voice for the stage; character building
- Promotes positive character development in all youth.
- Accountable for ensuring an emotionally and physically safe environment for youth that meets all compliance and safety requirements set forth by the organization.
- In collaboration with the Associate Artistic Director at theREP and Artistic Director of BTTUNY, creates and distributes schedule of all activities and ensures appropriate record keeping for shows as well as reporting of youth attendance.
- Ensures youth and their families are properly informed and prepared for all special events in coordination with Proctors staff
- Keeps Education Programs Manager informed of pertinent site information, including any challenges in fulfilling responsibilities.
- To work with the design team, hired by the co-producers; in the full production of the Summer Stage Program’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.”
- Ability to work collaboratively with Collaborative School of the Arts staff and co-producers for the program.
- To establish duties, roles and oversight of apprentices and interns.
- To regularly run rehearsals and provide feedback to creative team, designers and actors to ensure artistic quality in acting and performance elements and design execution.
- To attend all performances of the production.
- To attend a two-day orientation as well as a Saturday Morning Welcome Breakfast for the students and their families.
- To work in coordination with theatre administration to create content for Playbill, and contribute to create proper promotional materials for the show.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 2 years experience in performing arts and working with youth required.
- Understanding of how to direct a show for middle school youth.
- Passion for Collaborative School of the Arts at theREP’s mission and youth development.
- Teaching and program management experience preferred.
- Prior work experience with diverse youth populations of varying racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Understanding of virtual platforms and use for youth engagement (Zoom, Google Meets).
- Knowledge of arts programming and duties of show director.
- Strong leader and team-builder.
- Ability to resolve conflicts and negotiate solutions among youth and staff.
- Ability to lead meetings and delegate tasks .
- Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills with proven ability to interact with a diverse range of individuals both in person and virtual, applying tact and discretion as situations demand.
- Must have excellent organizational, time management and follow-up skills.
- Responsible and professional conduct that serves as role model to staff and youth.
- Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a background check and affirmation of artist and youth policies.
CONTRACT PERIOD:
- This position starts part-time in April (flexible scheduling to develop designs with production team designers) followed by a three-week full-time commitment commencing on July 7 and ending July 25.
- Program runs from July 7 to July 25, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. (Daily 9am-4pm with students; 30min lunch break from 12-12:30; 4-5pm production meetings/admin work).
- Pre-production meetings as required in person or via phone or video conference call.
- Two-Day Orientation between June 30 and July 3 (exact dates TBD).
- Welcome Breakfast on Saturday, July 5 (time TBD).
- Shows on July 25, 26 & July 27 (Friday at 4 pm, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunda at 6 p.m.).
PAY RATE: STIPEND POSITION ($3,500)
Submit resume, cover letter and two references to mhall@attherep.org
All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a background check and affirmation of artist and youth policies.
Proctors Collaborative is committed to building a workplace that is both creative and progressive. To that end, we seek a broad spectrum of candidates including women, people of color, all cultural backgrounds and persons with disabilities. We celebrate individual differences, and we strive to treat everyone with fairness and respect.
Proctors Collaborative does not discriminate in practices or employment opportunities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veterans’ status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.