DESCRIPTION
Director of the Junior Cabaret Fellows Program
Reports to:
Artistic Director (AD), Cabaret & Performance Conference
About the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center:
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center is the country’s preeminent organization dedicated to the
development of new works and new voices for the stage. The O’Neill’s 11-acre campus includes
a collection of renovated 19th-century mansions, farmhouses and barns overlooking the Long
Island Sound. The historic grounds include four performance venues, two libraries,
administrative offices and residences for staff, faculty, students and artists.
From its campus in Waterford, Connecticut, the O’Neill has been home to more than 1,000 new
works for the stage and thousands more emerging artists. O’Neill programs include the National
Playwrights Conference, National Music Theater Conference, National Critics Institute, National
Puppetry Conference, Cabaret & Performance Conference, and the National Theater Institute,
which offers six credit-earning undergraduate training programs.
The O’Neill is committed to diversifying the future of the American theater through the stories we
tell, the artists telling those stories, the staff supporting our work, and the audiences in our
theaters. We strive to cultivate a healthy and diverse community that recognizes the value of
each individual and helps foster safety, civility, and respect for all people.
About the Position:
The O’Neill is seeking an experienced Music Director / Cabaret Director for our Junior Cabaret
Fellows Program for the 2025 summer season. The Director of the Junior Cabaret Fellows
Program is responsible for devising and teaching music arrangements suited for the group of
high school age performers, creating curriculum, teaching, and managing the Junior Fellows
Program.
The Director of the Junior Fellows is expected to uphold and execute the premier cabaret
performance program for Connecticut's 15- to 18-year-olds. The program offers a select group
of students selected through audition and application the opportunity for in-person professional
vocal instruction, movement, and hands-on artistic guidance in the art of performance led by the
Director of the Junior Fellows. Students gain valuable interaction with world-renowned guest
artists and professional faculty and acquire skills needed to make performance an important
part of their creative lives.
The program includes two weeks of master classes and performance opportunities alongside
the O’Neill’s professional guest artists at the Cabaret & Performance Conference (CPC). The
Director, in consultation with the AD, will create, curate and teach the Junior Fellows a 65
minute performance that is featured as one of the conference's 10 ticketed evening
performances.
Skill Requirements:
Strong candidates for this position possess strong pedagogical skills in Cabaret performance,
excellent musicianship, strong piano skills, are highly organized, work well as a team, and
can coach teens.
Principal duties:
-Direct the Junior Cabaret Fellows program which includes but is not limited to: Lead
rehearsals and arranging music for Junior Cabaret Fellows performances while
maintaining a safe pedagogical environment; Lead the identification and selection
process of student-performers (Junior Fellows) alongside the AD and the Line Producer;
Serve as accompanist for student-performers during rehearsals; Director may also serve
as accompanist for performances.
-Work with the AD to create a creatively stimulating 10-day conference curriculum and
performance / artistic theme for the Junior Fellows that extends beyond the mounting of
their show and performances.
-Coordinate with the appropriate O’Neill staff for program needs such as the Line
Producer regarding travel, housing, technical requirements and External Relations and
Literary Office regarding any public-facing communications regarding applications,
auditions, rehearsals, performances, or other related events or items.
The position is considered a seasonal contracted position and therefore ineligible for benefits.
The Director is primarily active during the 10-day summer conference in August with minimal
responsibilities in the late winter and spring, most of which can be conducted remotely. It is
expected and encouraged that the Director pursue other endeavors and work throughout the
year, however such work should not interfere with their duties at the O’Neill or prohibit them from
being in residence in CT for the 2- week summer Cabaret and Performance Conference.
Compensation and Contact:
The compensation available for the role considers a variety of factors including, but not limited
to individual skill set, previous/applicable experience, and business needs. The estimated salary
for this role is $3,500.
We invite and encourage applications from talented BIPOC administrators and those from other
underrepresented groups to apply. Applicants should submit a cover letter, a work resume, and
contact information for at least two references. Applicants should name all attached files with
this format: "Last Name, First Name - Document.”
DURATION
Jan 1, 2025 -
SALARY
$3,500.00 – $3,500.00
per year
