Dakota Stage is seeking creative, skilled, committed and independently motivated individuals to direct and stage manage for our upcoming 2024 Shade Tree season! Previous experience with children’s theatre and/or education is preferred, but all applicants will be considered.
Directors will work closely with a Stage Manager, technical crew, and Artistic Director to develop and implement an overall artistic vision, schedule and maintain fun, educational and productive rehearsals, work with young actors on developing acting skills such as character development, stage presence and vocal projection, work with the Artistic Director and volunteers to create a set, props or costumes using DSL’s available materials, responsibly manage a minimal technical budget, involve families in creating production aspects such as sets and props, and oversee a production process while taking an active role in promoting their show, to ensure artistic and educational excellence and overall success of their assigned production.
Music Directors will oversee music placement, vocal arrangements and music education/vocal development for a production, and work closely with the director to accomplish the Director’s overall artistic vision. This position requires the ability to read music and play multiple vocal parts on the piano (though not necessarily full piano accompaniment), as well as the ability to navigate accompaniment tracks and instruct actors on how to follow them. Music Directors must be versatile, and must work cohesively with Directors and possibly Choreographers on a variety of vocal arrangements, from solos to large company numbers, or may be asked to incorporate their own minimal creative movement.
Stage Managers will assist directors throughout the production process, as well as manage a stage crew. They are responsible for taking rehearsal notes, leading warm-ups and educational activities, assisting the director with tasks as the director needs, submitting program information to an admin assistant, developing and implementing stage crew responsibilities, setting the stage, and running dress rehearsals and performances from either backstage or booth.
All Directors and Stage Managers must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills with each other, their participants’ families, Shade Tree Parent Liaison and Dakota Stage staff, as well as be adaptable and maintain professionalism and leadership in challenging situations.
These positions receive a stipend upon satisfactory completion of their production. Dakota Stage is actively interested in developing and mentoring new and emerging theatre artists!
How to Apply
Interested individuals should submit a request for consideration to Artistic Director Amanda Perry at amanda.perry@dakotastageltd.com, with a brief resume of any relevant education and experience in theatre with a particular focus on directing and/or stage management, and a statement describing interest, expertise, and artistic ideas for these particular productions. Please include your availability for any/all of the productions below. **Consideration may not be given to applicants who have conflicts with auditions, rehearsals or performances.
Application Deadline
January 29, 2024
Shade Tree 2024 Production Dates
Conservatory Auditions (Required for all Conservatory staff):
February 25, 2024
March 10, 2024
March 15, 2024
Academy Play: Channeling Grimm
Session A Rehearsals: May 20-June 19, 5:30pm-8pm
Session A Performances: June 20-22, 7pm, June 23, 2pm
Session B Rehearsals: May 28-June 26, 9am-12pm
Session B Performances: June 27-29, 7pm, June 30, 2pm
Academy Musical: Star Warts: The Umpire Strikes Back
Session A Rehearsals: June 17-July 24, 9am-12pm (No Friday Rehearsals)
Session A Performances: July 25-27, 7pm, July 28, 2pm
Session B Rehearsals: July 1-August 7, 1-4pm (No Friday Rehearsals)
Session B Performances: August 8-10, 7pm, August 11, 2pm
Conservatory Play: Just Another High School Play
Rehearsals: May 28-July 9, 5:30-8:30pm (No Friday Rehearsals)
Technical Rehearsals (Required): July 6-7
Performances: July 10-13, 7pm, July 14, 2pm
Conservatory Musical: Lightening Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
Rehearsals: June 17-July 30, 1-5pm(No Friday Rehearsals)
Tech Rehearsals (Required): July 27-28
Performances: July 31-August 3, 7pm, August 4, 2pm