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Compensation: $50 per hour

Duration: September 8 to November 14, 2026 (Fall production), with opportunity for renewal in future seasons.

Reports to: Director of Education

About the Program

Sing for Hope's Education program provides dynamic arts classes, workshops, and standards-based initiatives that inspire positive action and uplift youth, educators, and communities. The program is centered on our signature Global Goals Arts Curriculum, a creative-service-learning initiative that uses the arts to drive awareness and action for the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development, 17 interlinked objectives adopted by the UN in 2020 to serve as "a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet." Our education initiatives include The Sing for Hope HandaHarmony Youth Chorus and The Sing for Hope Lab, which provides daily in-school and after-school arts classes for youth in the Bronx and Southern Westchester.

About the Role

The Associate Stage Director helps lead the Sing for Hope Lab's fall student production, The Enchanted Bookshop by Todd Wallinger. This position is ideal for an emerging or early-career theater artist with prior directing and choreography experience who is seeking meaningful directing experience and professional mentorship while working in a supportive, high-impact school arts program. The Associate Stage Director will help guide 30 to 40 students in grades K–8 through the rehearsal and performance process, supporting their growth in acting, movement, stage presence, ensemble work, confidence, and performance discipline. The role requires someone comfortable working with young performers of varying ages, abilities, and experience levels, and who can take creative responsibility within a larger production process.

Responsibilities

• Stage selected scenes, transitions, entrances, exits, and group moments.
• Notate blocking and maintain consistency within the rehearsal period.
• Rehearse scenes independently when assigned.
• Manage students and maintain rehearsal expectations in the Director's absence.
• Give students clear, constructive notes on acting, movement, focus, character, and ensemble work.
• Help students develop character, storytelling, focus, confidence, and stage presence.
• Reinforce rehearsal expectations and maintain strong classroom management.
• Support a positive, respectful, and disciplined rehearsal environment.
• Collaborate on set, costume, prop, and lighting needs.
• Communicate regularly with the Director about progress, needs, and concerns.
• Lead and/or attend production meetings.
• Lead and/or support technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and final performances.

Requirements

• Prior directing experience required.
• Experience working with children, youth, or school-based programs required.
• Choreography experience preferred.
• Strong classroom and rehearsal management skills.
• Ability to rehearse, manage, and give notes on scenes independently.
• Knowledge of staging, movement, musical theater, theatrical storytelling, and production elements.
• Basic understanding of sets, costumes, props, and lighting.
• Stage management experience preferred.
• Ability to collaborate with a producer, director, music staff, designers, school staff, and students.
• Reliable, organized, flexible, and able to meet deadlines.
• A positive, student-centered approach to working with young performers.
• Successful completion of a fingerprint-supported criminal background check through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) required prior to the start date.

Schedule

This temporary, on-site position runs from September 8 through November 14, 2026. Applicants must be available for the required dates and times listed below. The schedule reflects current production and school-calendar planning and may be adjusted with reasonable advance notice.

• Pre-production and auditions: September 8, 10, and 12, 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.
• Regular rehearsals: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, September 15 to October 16 and October 27 to 30, 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, October 31: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Technical and dress rehearsals: November 3, 5, and 6, 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, November 7: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• November 9 and 10: 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• November 11: 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Performance: Friday, November 13, 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• Performance: Saturday, November 14, 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Commitment to Diversity

Sing for Hope is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives to apply. We believe our work is strongest when it reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.