Northern Virginia Performing Arts (NOVAPA) is hiring experienced, dependable, and student-centered theatre professionals for its 2026–2027 youth musical-theatre season in Leesburg, Virginia.
We are accepting applications for:
- Youth Theatre Directors
- Musical Theatre Choreographers
- Musical Directors
Applicants may apply for one or more positions. These are part-time, seasonal, production-based opportunities. Assignments will be made based on experience, availability, production needs, and fit with the individual show.
ABOUT NOVAPA
Northern Virginia Performing Arts provides children and teenagers with high-quality training and meaningful performance opportunities in a safe, structured, professional, and supportive environment.
Our production team members must be committed to developing young performers while maintaining high standards for preparation, communication, accountability, safety, and professional conduct.
2026–2027 PRODUCTIONS
Productions may include:
- Sweeney Todd
- Hadestown
- Frozen
- The Little Mermaid
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Mean Girls
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Trolls
Assignments are available throughout the season, from August 2026 through July 31, 2027. Rehearsal and performance schedules vary by production. Visit www.northernvirginiaperformingarts.org for current program and production information.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
All production-team members are expected to:
- Attend assigned rehearsals, production meetings, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
- Arrive prepared and on time.
- Develop plans and materials before assigned rehearsals.
- Meet production deadlines and follow through on assigned responsibilities.
- Collaborate with the Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Production Manager, Technical Director, stage-management team, and administrative staff.
- Provide clear, constructive, and age-appropriate instruction.
- Maintain an organized, productive, and respectful rehearsal environment.
- Work effectively with performers of different ages, abilities, and experience levels.
- Communicate attendance, preparedness, behavioral, safety, or scheduling concerns promptly.
- Follow NOVAPA’s child-safety, parent-communication, casting, and professional-conduct policies.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.
- Refrain from making unauthorized promises involving casting, featured roles, refunds, accommodations, schedules, or policy exceptions.
YOUTH THEATRE DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Establish and communicate the production’s artistic vision.
- Plan and lead organized, productive rehearsals.
- Conduct or assist with auditions and casting when assigned.
- Teach acting, character development, storytelling, blocking, stage movement, and theatre etiquette.
- Track blocking, scene progress, student needs, and unfinished production work.
- Ensure that students receive meaningful instruction and appropriate opportunities to participate.
- Collaborate closely with the Musical Director and Choreographer to create a unified production.
CHOREOGRAPHER RESPONSIBILITIES
- Create original, age-appropriate choreography that supports the story and the Director’s artistic vision.
- Teach choreography clearly and efficiently.
- Adapt movement for student ability, safety, staging, costumes, scenery, and available rehearsal time.
- Prepare choreography before scheduled rehearsals.
- Review, clean, and strengthen musical numbers throughout the rehearsal process.
- Maintain accurate choreography notes or recordings.
- Create meaningful movement opportunities for featured performers and ensembles.
MUSICAL DIRECTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Teach vocal music, harmonies, rhythms, diction, dynamics, and musical interpretation.
- Assess vocal ranges and capabilities during auditions or the early rehearsal process.
- Coordinate vocal-part assignments with the Director.
- Teach healthy, age-appropriate vocal practices.
- Prepare rehearsal tracks, vocal materials, and practice resources when required.
- Track musical progress and identify material requiring additional rehearsal.
- Coordinate with accompanists, musicians, sound personnel, and microphone staff.
- Piano proficiency is strongly preferred.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Relevant experience in theatre directing, choreography, music direction, vocal instruction, dance instruction, theatre education, or musical-theatre production.
- Experience working with children and/or teenagers.
- Strong leadership, communication, organization, and rehearsal-management skills.
- Ability to prepare in advance, meet deadlines, and follow through consistently.
- Ability to collaborate while remaining accountable for individual responsibilities.
- Knowledge of musical-theatre rehearsal and production practices.
- Evening and weekend availability.
- Reliable transportation to NOVAPA’s Leesburg location.
A degree or formal training in theatre, musical theatre, directing, dance, choreography, music, music education, education, or a related discipline is preferred. Substantial professional, production, or teaching experience may be considered in place of a degree.
SCREENING AND TRAINING
Selected candidates must successfully complete NOVAPA’s background-screening process, child-safety training, and required onboarding before beginning work.
COMPENSATION AND POSITION DETAILS
Location: Leesburg, Virginia
Work setting: In person
Position type: Part-time, seasonal and production-based
Season: August 2026 through July 31, 2027
Schedule: Rehearsal and production schedules vary; evening and weekend availability is required
Compensation: Stipends begin at $1,000 per production and vary based on the assigned position, production scope, education, experience, leadership responsibilities, and relevant certifications.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following to [email protected]:
- Résumé
- Production résumé or list of relevant credits
- The position or positions for which you are applying
- Three professional references, including your two most recent supervisors
- General evening and weekend availability
- Relevant portfolio, website, production reel, choreography reel, performance recording, or other work samples, if available
Director applicants should also provide a brief statement describing their approach to directing young performers.
Choreographer applicants should provide a choreography reel, performance video, or relevant portfolio.
Musical Director applicants should describe their piano proficiency and provide relevant musical-directing, teaching, or performance materials.
Northern Virginia Performing Arts is committed to developing confident, prepared, and well-trained young performers through professional instruction and meaningful production experiences.
Pay: $15.00 - $55.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
