Paid Part-Time Associate Stage Director Sing for Hope New York, NY US 07/30/2026

Job Title: Part-Time Associate Stage Director, 2026 Fall Production
Location: On-site at The Amani Public Charter School, Mount Vernon, NY
Compensation: $50 per hour
Duration of Employment: September 8 - November 14, 2026 (Fall production), with opportunity for renewal in future seasons.
Schedule: See below; dates and times are subject to adjustment based on school scheduling needs.
Report to: Director of Education
Program Description:
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.
Job Description:
Reporting to the Director of Education, 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 30-40 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, and must be comfortable working with young performers of varying ages, abilities, and experience levels. This role requires someone who can take creative responsibility within a larger production process, including staging selected scenes, rehearsing them independently, managing students during rehearsals, and giving clear, constructive notes on acting, movement, focus, transitions, and ensemble work in the Director’s absence. The Associate Stage Director will be mentored and supervised by the Director, making this a strong opportunity for a young theater artist ready to take on meaningful creative responsibility while continuing to grow professionally.
Job 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.
Job 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.
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.
Position Term and Required Dates:
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. Please note that the schedule reflects current production and school-calendar planning and may be adjusted based on changes to the school schedule, facility availability, or other school-related needs. Reasonable advance notice of any changes will be provided whenever possible.
Pre-Production and Auditions
September 8, 10, and 12: 3:00–6:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, September 15–October 16 and October 27–30: 3:00–6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 31: 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Technical and Dress Rehearsals
November 3, 5, and 6: 3:00–6:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 7: 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

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