Directorial Paid Associate Director - Chicago Brass Jar Productions New York, NY

Brass Jar Productions is seeking an Associate Director to lead the rehearsal and launch of existing Drunk Shakespeare productions in Chicago.

This role is focused on executing established productions with precision, implementing artistic standards, and ensuring consistency of performance across locations. The Associate Director will work closely with and report directly to the Artistic Producer, and will also collaborate closely with other Brass Jar Executive Leadership and local venue teams to bring each production to life within the established creative framework. The Associate Director will drive the artistic process from rehearsal through the opening week of each production.

This is an execution-based role, not a generative directing position. The Associate Director is responsible for faithfully staging and maintaining pre-existing productions rather than developing new creative concepts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead rehearsal and launch processes for existing productions, executing established staging and performance structure
• Maintain the artistic standards and direction set by the Artistic Producer and Brass Jar Executive Leadership without deviation
• Adapt staging to fit specific casts, venues, and audiences while preserving the core vision
• Rehearse and implement the Drunk Arc with each actor
• Train weekly and core actors directly, and ensure part‑time actors are fully prepared for performance
• Collaborate with local teams including PSMs and managers to support training and execution
• Support technical rehearsals by facilitating process, running dry tech, and maintaining a focused, positive rehearsal environment
• Assist design teams in implementing established technical elements when Executive Leadership is not present
• This role does not include creating new material or altering script, story, tone, or design. All creative direction is set by the Artistic Producer and Brass Jar Executive Leadership.

Training and Structure

The position begins with a hands‑on training period observing the Artistic Producer mounting productions. This training covers tone, pacing, audience interaction, and overall performance style.

Following training, the Associate Director will serve as Associate Director for Drunk Romeo and Juliet.

The Associate Director will also attend a two‑week workshop where the Artistic Producer will stage Dracula and Christmas Carol to establish national production blueprints.

Ideal Candidate

• Director or Associate Director with strong rehearsal leadership skills
• Comfortable executing within an established creative framework
• Strong communicator with actors and production teams
• Able to take direction clearly and implement feedback from leadership
• Able to balance precision with flexibility in fast‑paced environments
• Interested in comedy, audience interaction, and performance‑driven work

Schedule

General rehearsal schedule: Tuesday through Friday, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Possibility of adding Sunday daytime, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Tech Week Schedule

• Sunday: 5 hours
• Monday: 8‑hour dry tech
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 8 out of 10 including final dress
• Thursday: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM rehearsal, evening opening
• Friday: Optional rehearsal, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Production Timeline

Training (Location TBD): Dracula, August 3 to August 7, 2026; Christmas Carol, August 10 to August 14, 2026.

Drunk Dracula rehearsals: August 25 to September 11, 2026; Tech and opening: September 13 to September 18, 2026.

Drunk Christmas Carol rehearsals: October 6 to November 13, 2026; No rehearsal week of October 26; Tech and opening: November 15 to November 20, 2026.

Drunk Romeo and Juliet rehearsals: December 1 to December 11, 2026; No rehearsal weeks of December 14, December 21, December 28; Tech and opening: January 3 to January 8, 2027.

Compensation

• $4,000 per production, paid half during the first week of rehearsal and half during the week of opening
• $600 training fee for the initial training period
• Company‑covered travel for approved work outside home city, including flights, housing, local transportation, and a $50 per day per diem

Industry comps provided as available

Application Information

Prepare a cover letter that includes your home base city, along with your resume, website, and any relevant directing or rehearsal work samples (if available) to .

Use “Chicago Associate Director” as the subject line.

DURATION

Aug 3, 2026 – Jan 8, 2026

SALARY

• UNION

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