Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Director for Youth Musical

Yes! And…Collaborative Arts Winter Sort of Thing program gives kids the opportunity to be part of a full-length Yes! And… original musical production with professional theater artists. This position will begin in early October with weekly classes and workshops to introduce cast members to the process, the play and skills they will need. We move into the rehearsal process in Mid-November with rehearsals in evenings and on weekends through February. The show will be performed at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center in Manayunk on February 20th-23rd, 2025.

 

Detailed Description:

Yes! And…Collaborative Arts Winter Sort of Thing gives kids the opportunity to be part of a full-length Yes! And… original musical production with professional theater artists! This program is for our participants in 5th-12th grade who have done YACA programming previously. We begin in early October with weekly classes and workshops to introduce cast members to the process, the play and skills they will need. We move into the rehearsal process in Mid-November with rehearsals in evenings and on weekends through February. The show will be performed at the Venice Island Performing Arts Center in Manayunk on February 20th-23rd, 2025!

Like all of our programs at Yes! And…, Winter Sort of Thing is focused on both the process and the product. We treat our young cast members with the same respect we would treat adult artists, while acknowledging where they are in their experience with artistic processes. We always make their growth and development as people and collaborators a priority when making art with them. We focus on the needs and trajectories of each individual child, and work to create a challenging, fulfilling, and welcoming experience for every kid.

In the overall process, the director is responsible for teaching, directing, coaching, design and production consultation and execution, as agreed upon between them and the company. With the Choreographer and Music Director, they will lead all rehearsals, as well as warm-ups, games, and skill sessions as needed throughout the process. They will collaborate with the design and production team, as well as the senior staff of YACA, to create schedules, strategize about educational goals, and ensure a cohesive and smooth production and process.

We believe that it’s important that our staff reflect the demographic of our youth as a way to best support them in matters of cultural competency, representation, and trauma-informed work. Because of these factors, we highly encourage BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ teaching artists to apply!

The typical schedule for this position is as follows:

 

Fall Classes and Workshops:

6:30PM-8:00PM, 1 day per week (day of the week TBD) for up to 6 weeks beginning week of September 30, 2024

  • A specific schedule will be worked out with the artistic team
  • ½ hour of prep time per class is expected and compensated

1:00PM - 4:00PM, 2 weekend workshops October 19, 2024 and November 2, 2024

  • ½ hour of prep time per workshop is expected and compensated

 

Rehearsals:

Week of November 11, 2024 - February 13, 2024

Tuesday, Thursday 6:30 PM-8:30 PM*

Friday, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM,

Saturday 10:00 AM-2:00PM

Production Meetings at agreed upon times meeting every other week in Nov/Dec, and then weekly in Jan/Feb.

*Each staff members’ availability is taken into account when scheduling, however, the director should expect to be in the room for the majority of rehearsals.

 

Tech and performances at Venice Island Performing Arts Center:

Friday, 2/14, 5:00 PM-9:30 PM

Saturday, 2/15 9:00 AM-9:00 PM

Sunday, 2/16, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM

Monday 2/17 - OFF, Theatre Closed

Tuesday 2/18-Wednesday, 2/19, 4:30 PM-9:30 PM

Thursday, 2/20 4:30 PM-9:30 PM *Evening Performance

Friday, 2/21 4:30 PM- 9:30 PM *Evening Performance

Saturday, 2/22 11:30 PM-4:30 PM *Matinee Performance

Saturday, 2/22  5:30 PM-9:30 PM *Evening Performance

Sunday, 2/23  10:00 AM-7:00 PM *Group Reflection, Matinee Performance, Strike

 

Requirements

The following must be met for your position to begin and continue:

  • Signed Contract and employment paperwork
  • Attendance at YACA WSOT Staff Training session (date TBD)
  • Completed Pa Criminal Record, Child Abuse, FBI Fingerprinting

                     (If you are returning staff, we will contact you about updated clearances needed)

 

Compensation

  • For weekday classes/workshops individuals will be compensated $20 per hour, with a ½ hr. planning period compensated for $10

For example:

  • $70 per workshop (3hr workshop + ½ hr planning period)
  • $40 per class (1.5 hr class + ½ hr planning period)
  • For rehearsals and performance the director will receive a stipend of $3,000.

 

This person will be considered an Employee of the Company and will have appropriate taxes and fees deducted from each paycheck. Payment is received on a bi-monthly basis (15th & 30th/31st). A pay schedule can be provided upon request.