Director: Fall Festival of Shakespeare

DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY

The Fall Festival Director invites and empowers students to bring the classical poetry and plays of Shakespeare alive in ways that are personally inspiring, educationally rigorous, and theatrically compelling. The Directors are responsible for the daily management of students in a 90-minute cut of a Shakespeare play at one of 10 area high schools, part of a nine-week, collaborative, non-competitive, celebratory exploration of multiple Shakespeare plays. As a Director/Producer and representative of our Company at their assigned school from auditions through a fully produced performance, the Director will work in tandem with their Directing Partner, Production Team, and the entirety of the Education Staff for the duration of this contract. September 15 throgh November 30, 2026; $702 to $742 per week, local houing available.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

● Participate in Director Training that examines the Shakespeare & Company Education Program ethic and aesthetic, and the daily functioning of The Fall Festival of Shakespeare;

● Expand on and further develop these methods using personal experience, skills, passion, and areas of expertise;

● Direct a group of students in a 90-minute Shakespeare play at one of ten high schools in Massachusetts or New York, in collaboration with a directing partner and design team;

· Attendance and participation in weekly Director Meetings and Production/Design meetings;

· Attendance and participation in teaching Common Classes, involving the greater Fall Festival Community;

· Creation of materials needed for the production of a student show (weekly rehearsal schedules, a cut script, clear rehearsal guidelines, and communication between the school, Shakespeare & Company, and the parents and guardians, etc.);

· Support the work of the Festival at large, which includes Set Builds and Common Classes, and extraordinary support during the week of the Festival (November 15-22). During this week, all Directors are expected to be available at Shakespeare & Company full-time to assist in the preparations for and production of the Fall Festival of Shakespeare, which may include some assistance at other schools’ rehearsals, loading in scenic elements, costume maintenance and put-away, theatre setup and cleanup, help with house management or concessions, and other general assistance;

• Contribute to end-of-project program evaluation;
• Successful completion of a Criminal Offense Record Information check (CORI) before employment term.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & CHARACTERISTICS SOUGHT

· Prior experience directing and/or teaching young people, prior experience working in youth programs, or a related undergraduate degree is required;

· Prior Shakespeare & Company Actor Training and/or experience working with Shakespeare & Company methodologies is preferred;

· An interest in learning how to implement the foundational principles and methods in Shakespeare & Company’s commitment to the actor/audience relationship;

· Passion for creating plays with young people that are personally inspiring and theatrically compelling;

• Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills;

· Ability to work collaboratively and clearly communicate with a Directing Partner, Production Team, Shakespeare & Company Education Administrative Staff, School Administration & Liaisons, Staff and Parents/Caregivers;

• Experience in organizing, working, and communicating effectively with groups of individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences;

· Willingness to listen, play and show up authentically and respectfully;

· A commitment to values of anti-racism and anti-oppression and the ability to cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritizes the safety and dignity of students and colleagues of all races, abilities, ethnicities, classes, orientations and gender identities;

· The desire and ability to stay curious about your own directing and teaching artistry, and be open and adaptable to feedback;

· Willingness to bring a sense of humor and flexible mindset to ever-changing, potentially stressful situations;

· Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint, and Google Workspace;

· Basic understanding/knowledge of technical theatre elements, and ability to guide/assist students through technical theatre projects preferred;

• Completion of a COVID-19 vaccine regimen and booster, if eligible, before employment term.

DURATION

Sep 15, 2026 - Nov 30, 2026

SALARY

$702.00 – $742.00 per week

• NON-UNION