Dakota Stage is seeking creative, skilled, committed and independently motivated individuals to direct, stage manage and choreograph for our upcoming 2025 Shade Tree season! Previous experience with children’s theatre and/or education is preferred, but all applicants will be considered.
Directors will work closely with a Stage Manager, technical crew, and Artistic Director to develop and implement an overall artistic vision, schedule and maintain fun, educational and productive rehearsals, work with young actors on developing acting skills such as character development, stage presence and vocal projection, work with the Artistic Director and volunteers to create a set, props or costumes using DSL’s available materials, responsibly manage a minimal technical budget, involve families in creating production aspects such as sets and props, and oversee a production process while taking an active role in promoting their show, to ensure artistic and educational excellence and overall success of their assigned production.
Music Directors will oversee music placement, vocal arrangements and music education/vocal development for a production, and work closely with the director to accomplish the Director’s overall artistic vision. This position requires the ability to read music and play multiple vocal parts on the piano (though not necessarily full piano accompaniment), as well as the ability to navigate accompaniment tracks and instruct actors on how to follow them. Music Directors must be versatile, and must work cohesively with Directors and possibly Choreographers on a variety of vocal arrangements, from solos to large company numbers, or may be asked to incorporate their own minimal creative movement.
Stage Managers will assist directors throughout the production process, as well as manage a stage crew. They are responsible for taking rehearsal notes, assisting the Director with tasks as the Director needs, submitting program information to an admin assistant, developing and implementing stage crew responsibilities, setting the stage, and running dress rehearsals and performances from either backstage or booth.
A Choreographer will be working closely with the Director and Music Director of our Conservatory musical to choreograph certain portions of the show. This position would not be required to be present at every rehearsal, but would need to work with the Director to determine choreography and a schedule that will accomplish the Director’s overall artistic vision. The Choreographer will be working with actors of varying dance knowledge and ability, and must be flexible, while maintaining a challenging and fun learning environment.
All Directors, Stage Managers and Choreographers must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills with each other, their participants’ families, Shade Tree Parent Liaison and Dakota Stage staff, as well as be adaptable and maintain professionalism and leadership in challenging situations.
These positions receive a stipend upon satisfactory completion of their production. Shade Tree is actively interested in developing and mentoring new and emerging theatre artists! We would like Directors to have 2 years or more experience directing at the Academy level, before applying to direct at the Conservatory level.
How to Apply
Interested individuals should submit a request for consideration to Artistic Director Amanda Perry at amanda.perry@dakotastage.org, with a brief resume of any relevant education and experience in theatre with a particular focus on directing, music, stage management, or choreography, and a statement describing interest, expertise, and artistic ideas for these particular productions. Please include your availability for any/all of the productions below. We encourage applicants to apply for multiple productions, if availability allows, and indicate if you would like to be considered to work on more than one production. **Consideration may not be given to applicants who have conflicts with auditions, rehearsals or performances.
Application Deadline
February 8, 2025
Shade Tree 2025 Production Dates
Conservatory Auditions (Required for all Conservatory staff):
March 9, 2025
March 17, 2025
March 23, 2025
Academy Play: Charlotte’s Web
Session A Rehearsals: May 27-June 25, 9am-12pm (M-F)
Session A Performances: June 26-28, 7pm, June 29, 2pm
Session B Rehearsals: June 2-July 9, 1-4pm (M-TH)
Session B Performances: July 10-12, 7pm, July 13, 2pm
Academy Musical: Imagine a Dragon
Session A Rehearsals: June 16-July 23, 9am-12pm (M-TH)
Session A Performances: July 24-26, 7pm, July 27, 2pm
Session B Rehearsals: June 30-July 30, 1-4pm (M-TH)
Session B Performances: July 31-Aug 2, 7pm, August 3, 2pm
Conservatory Play: Alice in Wonderland (Adapted by Eva Le Gallienne and Florida Friebus)
Rehearsals: June 2-July 15, 5:30-8:30pm (M-TH)
Technical Rehearsals (Required): July 12-13
Performances: July 16-19, 7pm, July 20, 2pm
Conservatory Musical: The Addams Family
Rehearsals: June 16-Aug 5, 1-5pm (M-TH)
Tech Rehearsals (Required): Aug 2-3
Performances: August 6-9, 7pm, August 10, 2pm