Music Director

Youth Musical Theatre Directors, Vocal Music Directors and Choreographers202627 MainStage SeasonDMR Adventures is seeking collaborative, enthusiastic, and dependable teaching artists to join the creative teams for our upcoming Broadway Junior and Broadway KIDS productions in Charlottesville, Virginia.Founded in 2009, DMR Adventures is an award-winning performing arts academy specializing in musical theatre education and performance opportunities for young artists.At DMR Adventures, the rehearsal process is as important as the final production. Our goal is not simply to teach students where to stand, what to sing, or how to perform choreography. We want students to develop transferable skills, understand the terminology and techniques being used, grow as individual artists, and become stronger members of an ensemble.Creative team members should be prepared to teach foundational acting, vocal, musical, movement, and performance skills throughout the rehearsal process while also creating a polished and engaging production.Our planned 202627 MainStage season includes:Disneys The Aristocats KIDSLegally Blonde JR.Annie JR.How to Train Your Dragon JR.Seussical KIDSOne additional production to be announcedWe are currently seeking:DirectorsVocal Music DirectorsChoreographersApplicants may apply for one position or indicate an interest in serving in a combined role, such as Director/Choreographer, Director/Vocal Music Director, or Vocal Music Director/Choreographer.Artists may also apply to be considered for more than one production during the season.Our Educational ApproachCreative team members are expected to approach rehearsals as both artists and educators.This includes:Explaining the purpose behind artistic choices rather than only giving instructionsTeaching students accurate theatrical, musical, and dance terminologyBuilding foundational skills that students can apply beyond the current productionAdjusting instruction for different ages, experience levels, and learning stylesProviding clear, constructive, and encouraging feedbackHelping students develop confidence, independence, discipline, and ensemble responsibilityCreating a rehearsal environment in which students feel safe taking artistic risksBalancing the needs of the production with the educational needs of the performersModeling professionalism, preparation, collaboration, accountability, and respectful communicationThe final production should reflect strong artistic standards, but the students growth and learning should remain central to the process.DirectorThe Director guides the overall artistic vision of the production while teaching students the foundational acting and performance skills needed to bring the story to life.This is a teaching-artist position. The Director should not simply stage scenes and give students line readings. Directors are expected to help performers understand character, intention, relationships, given circumstances, storytelling, stage vocabulary, and the reasons behind their acting and staging choices.Responsibilities may include:Establishing and communicating the artistic vision for the productionStaging scenes, transitions, and musical numbersTeaching foundational acting and performance techniquesIntroducing and reinforcing appropriate theatrical terminologyHelping students identify character objectives, obstacles, relationships, and circumstancesTeaching students how to make thoughtful and specific acting choicesCoaching projection, diction, focus, listening, physicality, and stage presenceHelping performers understand blocking notation and basic stage directionsEncouraging students to respond truthfully rather than simply imitate a predetermined performanceBuilding ensemble awareness, responsibility, and collaborationAdapting instruction to the ages, abilities, and experience levels of the castProviding clear, constructive, and age-appropriate feedbackCollaborating with the Vocal Music Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, designers, and production staffSupporting an organized, inclusive, encouraging, and productive rehearsal environmentCandidates should have a working knowledge of foundational acting technique and theatrical vocabulary and should be comfortable teaching those concepts to children or teenagers.Experience directing or teaching young performers is strongly preferred.Vocal Music DirectorThe Vocal Music Director teaches and reinforces the vocal material for the production while helping students develop foundational musicianship and healthy, age-appropriate vocal skills.This is primarily a vocal teaching position rather than an accompanist or orchestral conducting position. The Vocal Music Director should not simply teach music by repetition. Students should learn how to identify and retain their parts, understand the musical concepts being introduced, and become more confident and independent singers.Responsibilities may include:Teaching principal, small-group, and ensemble vocal materialHelping performers identify and confidently sing their assigned vocal partsTeaching and reinforcing harmoniesTeaching students how to use rehearsal and part tracks effectivelyIntroducing and reinforcing appropriate musical and vocal terminologyTeaching rhythms, entrances, cutoffs, phrasing, dynamics, diction, and musical expressionHelping students understand melody, harmony, tempo, measures, beats, rests, and other relevant musical conceptsSupporting healthy, age-appropriate breathing and vocal productionHelping students develop pitch accuracy, vocal confidence, and ensemble listeningReviewing challenging musical passages and providing individualized support when neededHelping students transition from rehearsal or part tracks to performance accompanimentConnecting musical choices to character, storytelling, and dramatic intentionCollaborating with the Director and Choreographer to integrate music, staging, and movementProviding clear, constructive, and encouraging feedbackMaintaining a positive and educational rehearsal environmentPiano proficiency is helpful but not required.Our productions perform using licensed orchestrated accompaniment tracks provided by MTI or the applicable theatrical licensing company. The Vocal Music Director will not conduct a live orchestra.Candidates should have a working knowledge of foundational vocal technique, musicianship, harmony instruction, and musical theatre vocabulary. They should be comfortable explaining musical concepts in an accessible way to children or teenagers.Experience teaching vocal music to young performers is strongly preferred. Familiarity with musical theatre repertoire, part tracks, and Broadway Junior or Broadway KIDS productions is especially helpful.ChoreographerThe Choreographer creates and teaches age-appropriate choreography and musical staging that supports the story, characters, music, and abilities of the cast.This is a teaching-artist position. The Choreographer is expected to help students develop foundational dance and movement skills throughout the rehearsal processnot simply memorize choreography for the production.Responsibilities may include:Creating choreography and musical staging for production numbersTeaching choreography clearly, safely, and efficientlyIntroducing and reinforcing foundational dance techniqueTeaching the correct names and meanings of dance steps, positions, movements, and musical-theatre dance terminologyHelping students understand proper alignment, posture, balance, coordination, rhythm, and spatial awarenessIncorporating appropriate warm-ups, stretching, conditioning, and technique exercises when neededTeaching students how to learn, retain, review, and clean choreographyDeveloping musicality, performance quality, confidence, and ensemble awarenessHelping performers connect movement to character, intention, and storytellingAdapting choreography for performers with different levels of experience, physical ability, and confidenceProviding appropriate modifications when neededReviewing and cleaning choreography throughout the rehearsal processCollaborating with the Director and Vocal Music Director to integrate movement, music, acting, and storytellingProviding clear, constructive, and encouraging feedbackMaintaining a safe, positive, inclusive, and educational rehearsal environmentCandidates should have a working knowledge of foundational dance technique and musical-theatre movement and should be comfortable explaining and demonstrating movement using accurate terminology.Experience teaching dance or musical-theatre movement to children or teenagers is strongly preferred.General QualificationsIdeal candidates will have experience in educational, youth, community, collegiate, or professional theatre settings.We are especially interested in artists who are:Skilled and knowledgeable in their artistic disciplineInterested in teaching, mentoring, and developing young performersDependable, organized, prepared, and communicativePatient, encouraging, and effective when working with young peopleComfortable teaching students with different experience levels and learning stylesAble to break complex material into clear and manageable stepsCollaborative and receptive to feedbackAble to provide corrections while maintaining a positive learning environmentCommitted to maintaining appropriate professional boundariesCommitted to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environmentAble to balance artistic excellence with student growth and well-beingExperience with Broadway Junior or Broadway KIDS productions is helpful but not required.Selected candidates must be willing to complete required background screening before working with students.SchedulingEach creative team will receive the complete rehearsal, technical rehearsal, and performance calendar for its production.Creative team members will work collaboratively to determine which rehearsals require each artists attendance based on the material being taught and the needs of the production. Not every creative team member is expected to attend every rehearsal.Reasonable rehearsal conflicts may be accommodated when communicated in advance. Attendance will be required for designated production meetings, major run-throughs, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.Production schedules will be shared with applicants before a final commitment is made.CompensationThese are project-based, stipend-paid positions.Compensation ranges from $500 to $1,500 per production, depending on the production, position, rehearsal and performance schedule, and scope of responsibilities.Applicants may be considered for an individual position or a combined creative role. Compensation for combined positions will be determined according to the responsibilities and scope of the specific assignment.How to ApplyPlease submit:A rsumA brief cover letter describing your interest in working with DMR AdventuresThe position or combination of positions for which you would like to be consideredRelevant portfolio materials or work samplesProfessional referencesAny known scheduling limitations or conflictsPlease highlight your experience teaching children or teenagers and describe how you balance the educational process with the artistic demands of producing a musical.Applicants are encouraged to share examples of lesson planning, rehearsal techniques, production work, choreography, vocal instruction, directing, or other materials that demonstrate both artistic skill and teaching ability.Selected applicants will be contacted to discuss production schedules, responsibilities, availability, educational philosophy, and stipend details.DMR Adventures welcomes applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, identities, experiences, and artistic perspectives.
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