Summer Place Theatre is accepting director applications for our 2027 productions of The Drowsy Chaperone (runs June 18-27 2027) and Into the Woods ( Show runs July 16-August 1
!e welcome new faces and returning collaborators to help bring these stories to life.Please review the Director Description located on the application before applying and have your résumé and cover letter ready.
Auditions for "The Drowsy Chaperone" will be in April, Auditions for "Into the Woods" will be in July. Typical rehearsal is Monday-Thursday evenings from 7-10 pm. All rehearsals are in Naperville, IL
Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/262795115060051
More roles will be opening soon! So stay tuned.
Director
Position Overview
The Director serves as the primary artistic leader for an assigned Summer Place Theatre production. The Director is responsible for developing and executing the artistic vision of the production while collaborating with the production’s creative, technical, and administrative teams.
This is a production-specific & stipend-based and is not a regular W-2 staff position. The engagement is limited to the planning, rehearsal, technical, and performance responsibilities associated with the assigned production.
The Director works collaboratively with the producer, the production team, performers, designers, and technical personnel to create a cohesive, high-quality theatrical production that reflects the mission, artistic standards, resources, and community-focused nature of Summer Place Theatre.
Primary Responsibilities
Artistic Leadership & Production Vision
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Develop a clear artistic concept and overall vision for the assigned production.
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Interpret the script and/or score, including themes, characters, relationships, pacing, tone, storytelling, and staging.
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Communicate the production concept effectively to performers, designers, musicians, technicians, and other members of the production team.
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Guide the production from initial planning through opening while maintaining consistency in the artistic vision.
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Make artistic decisions that support both the production and the overall standards of Summer Place Theatre.
Casting
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Participate in the planning and execution of auditions and callbacks in coordination with Summer Place Theatre leadership and the production team.
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Collaborate with the Music Director, Choreographer, and other appropriate team members when making casting recommendations and decisions.
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Cast performers based on the needs of the production while supporting an equitable, welcoming, and respectful audition process.
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Communicate casting needs and considerations with theatre leadership as appropriate.
Rehearsal Leadership
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Lead the rehearsal process and establish a collaborative, organized, and respectful rehearsal environment.
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Create blocking and staging that effectively communicates the story while accounting for the production venue and available technical resources.
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Guide performers in character development, relationships, storytelling, physicality, pacing, and overall performance.
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Provide clear, constructive, and actionable notes to performers.
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Collaborate with the Stage Manager regarding rehearsal schedules, calls, attendance, production notes, and communication.
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Work within the established rehearsal calendar and production schedule.
Creative Team Collaboration
The Director is expected to work collaboratively with members of the production team, which may include:
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Music Director
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Choreographer
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Stage Manager
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Scenic Designer
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Lighting Designer
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Costume Designer
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Sound Designer
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Props Designer/Coordinator
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Technical Director
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Intimacy + fight Director/Coordinator
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Orchestra or musicians
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Additional artistic and technical personnel as required by the production
The Director should clearly communicate artistic goals while respecting the expertise and responsibilities of each production team member.
Design & Production Meetings
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Participate in scheduled production and design meetings.
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Collaborate with designers to ensure scenic, costume, lighting, sound, props, projections, hair/makeup, and other production elements support the overall artistic vision.
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Work with theatre leadership and production personnel to develop creative solutions when artistic goals must be adjusted because of budget, venue, scheduling, safety, or technical limitations.
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Respond to production-related communication within a reasonable timeframe throughout the engagement.
Technical Rehearsals & Opening
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Attend and actively participate in technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and other scheduled production rehearsals.
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Collaborate with the Stage Manager and technical team during the integration of lighting, sound, scenery, costumes, props, projections, and other technical elements.
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Provide appropriate artistic notes during the technical and dress rehearsal process.
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Make necessary adjustments to staging, pacing, performances, or production elements before opening.
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Work with the Stage Manager to establish the completed production by opening.
Starting Tech Sunday, responsibility for maintaining the established production generally transitions to the Stage Manager unless additional Director involvement is requested or arranged with the Producer.
Professional Expectations
Directors are expected to:
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Foster a safe, respectful, collaborative, and inclusive artistic environment.
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Maintain professional communication with performers, production personnel, volunteers, theatre leadership, and community members.
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Respect established organizational policies, production procedures, safety requirements, and codes of conduct.
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Address concerns through appropriate production and organizational communication channels.
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Respect the responsibilities and authority of other creative and technical team members.
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Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with cast and production personnel.
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Approach artistic disagreements collaboratively and professionally.
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Support an environment where performers and production personnel can raise questions or concerns without fear of retaliation.
Organizational & Production Considerations
Summer Place Theatre is a community-based theatrical organization. Directors should approach the production with an understanding that available resources, rehearsal schedules, facilities, budgets, personnel, and technical capabilities may differ from those of a fully staffed professional regional theatre.
Directors are expected to create ambitious and engaging theatre while working collaboratively within the resources approved for the production.
Significant changes that may affect the approved production budget, staffing, technical requirements, schedule, licensing requirements, or organizational commitments should be discussed with the producer before implementation.
Time Commitment
The engagement generally includes participation in:
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Pre-production planning
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Production and design meetings
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Auditions and callbacks
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Rehearsals
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Technical rehearsals
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Dress rehearsals
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Opening performance or opening weekend activities, as established for the production
Specific dates, rehearsal schedules, performance dates, and required meetings will be communicated for each production.
Desired Experience
Preferred qualifications may include:
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Previous theatrical directing experience.
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Experience directing musicals and/or plays appropriate to the assigned production.
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Demonstrated ability to lead actors and collaborate with creative and technical teams.
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Strong understanding of storytelling, blocking, character development, and theatrical production.
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Strong interpersonal, organizational, leadership, and communication skills.
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Ability to work effectively with artists and volunteers with varying levels of theatrical experience.
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Experience working within community theatre, educational theatre, nonprofit theatre, or similar collaborative artistic environments.
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Ability to balance artistic goals with production realities including schedules, budgets, facilities, personnel, and technical resources.
Engagement
Selection as a Director for one Summer Place Theatre production does not guarantee selection for future productions or create an ongoing artistic or employment relationship with Summer Place Theatre.
Each directing engagement is considered separately based on the needs of the production and the organization.
Become Part of Summer Place Theatre
Summer Place Theatre brings together performers, artists, volunteers, patrons, and community supporters who believe in the value of local theatre.
Whether you are interested in helping at a performance, working behind the scenes, auditioning for a show, completing student volunteer hours, or sharing your professional skills, there are many ways to become involved.
Find the Right Opportunity for You
Some opportunities require only a few hours or a single evening, while others involve supporting a production or project throughout the season. Opportunities may include:
Ushering, concessions, and box office support
Set building, painting, and backstage assistance
Marketing, photography, video, and graphic design
Community outreach and special events
Fundraising, sponsorships, and grant research
Student service-hour opportunities
Join Friends of Summer Place
Friends of Summer Place is the best way to tell us about your interests and receive information about volunteer, creative, production, fundraising, and community-engagement opportunities.
Visit our Friends of Summer Place page to learn more and join the interest list.
Looking for an immediate or one-time opportunity? Current performance volunteer openings and other ways to participate are listed below.