CO-DIRECTOR FOR BAD WORLD: A New MusicaL

scope of work
Crave Theatre is seeking a co-director for the stage premiere of its newly devised musical Bad World with lyrics by Kylie Jenifer Rose and Jennifer Provenza, and music by James Liptak and Kylie Jenifer Rose. The book is by Kylie Jenifer Rose, James Liptak, Jennifer Provenza, Rachael Singer, Michael Cavazos, Ashley Mellinger, Maya Maria Brown, and Zeloszelos Marchandt.
This position serves as a collaborative role with the existing co-director, Rachael Singer. All of the responsibilities below will be shared by the co-directors as they see fit.
- Review virtual auditions and attend in-person callbacks (observing COVID-19 prevention protocols) for the 2 roles that have not already been cast. Potentially guide minor re-shaping of characters depending on casting results.
- Assist with assembling and overseeing the production team (please note that due to the ongoing nature of this show, the vocal director and music director have already been selected)
Develop a clear, adaptive rehearsal plan and work with stage manager and production team to manage tech/show schedule
Collaborate with designers to create a cohesive artistic vision for the show through Production Meetings. Help shape designer concepts to meet the artistic vision by providing design feedback.
Attend scheduled rehearsals (some flexibility may be possible for a limited number of pre-existing conflicts), guide actors through the process of understanding their roles/lines.
Manage and refine the pacing of scenes and implement blocking and choreography.
Maintain a professional, supportive, and safe environment for actors to explore sensitive topics, including (but not limited to) sexual assault, domestic violence, gender transitions, racial discrimination, and trauma.
Attend tech week and provide leadership to both designers and actors. Use tech week to implement all designer elements and provide any necessary feedback
Attend opening night and the closing performances in a show of support to the actors.
Abide by Crave Theatre’s Code of Conduct throughout the contracting period
Adhere to all health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19
Desired Experience
Experience working on devised theatre (preferred)
Experience working on musical theatre (preferred)
A minimum of three professional directing credits
Desired skills
Character and script analysis
Critical and analytical thinking
Detail-oriented
Leadership and collaboration
Creative, outside-of-the-box vision
Adaptability
Willingness to experiment
Basic understanding of theatrical design (to better communicate with design team)
Multitasking & interpersonal skills (personal and artistic sensitivity, networking skills, aesthetic acuity, communication, listening and organization skills)
work timeline
Preparation meetings in advance of and during the rehearsal process will be coordinated between the co-directors. Design meetings are also TBD.
Auditions/Callbacks
Auditions will be held virtually
Callback dates TBD, February likely
Rehearsals 5/14/2022- 6/2/2022:
Saturday May 14- either 10am-4pm or Noon-6pm
Tuesday May 17- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Wednesday May 18- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Thursday May 19- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Saturday May 21- either 10am-4pm or Noon-6pm
Tuesday May 24- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Wednesday May 25- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Thursday May 26- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Saturday May 28- either 10am-4pm or Noon-6pm
Tuesday May 31- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Wednesday June 1- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Thursday June 2- from 5:30pm-9:30pm or 6pm-10pm
Tech:
Saturday June 4th- Time is TBD
Sunday June 5th- Time is TBD
Monday June 6th- Dark
Tuesday June 7th- 5:30pm- 10pm
Wednesday June 8th- Dress Rehearsal/ Filming- 5:30pm-10pm
Preview:
Thursday June 9th- 5:30pm-10pm
Opening:
Friday June 10th, call time 5:30pm
Shows:
Saturday June 11th, call time 5:30pm
Sunday June 12th, call time noon
Thursday June 16th– No Performance in observance of Juneteenth holiday
Friday June 17th- No Performance in observance of Juneteenth holiday
Saturday June 18th- No Performance in observance of Juneteenth holiday
Sunday June 19th- No Performance in observance of Juneteenth holiday
Thursday June 23rd, call time 5:30pm
Friday June 24th, call time 5:30pm
Saturday June 25th, call time 5:30pm
Sunday June 26th, call time noon
Thursday June 30th call time 5:30pm
Friday July 1st call time 5:30pm
Saturday July 2nd call time 5:30pm
Sunday July 3rd call time noon
About the show
The Story:
Bad World is based on a true story of a survivor’s journey dealing with sexual assault. The show focuses on the character Rose, who was sexually assaulted while studying abroad. Her story is interwoven with those of three other survivors in a support group, whose rich backstories help to give light to the range of experiences and reactions to trauma. Structurally, we play with the fluidity of time, utilizing flashbacks and flash-forwards to emphasize the influence of memory when coping with trauma.
Ultimately, Bad World strives to de-stigmatize survivors of sexual assault and show that through shared vulnerability, can come strength.
Development:
Bad World began as a one-woman musical and over time, grew into a four-person ensemble piece.
Kylie Jenifer Rose and James Liptak began songwriting for Bad World in 2018, and were joined by co-lyricist Jennifer Provenza. The songs range from musical theatre, to jazz, folk, and rock genres.
A music-focused workshop was held for the one-woman version of the show as part of a residency at Shaking the Tree Theater in March 2019. The creative team used audience feedback from that workshop to make clarifying revisions.
In the spring of 2019, Rachael Singer-Brown joined as director to help shape and develop the show.
A second workshop of the show was held in January 2020 and the creative team decided to expand the Bad World story to include a wider range of experiences. At that time, Michael Cavazos joined Rachael as the co-director (after previously supporting the show as a stage manager).
Auditions were held, and roles were cast in February 2020. Then the pandemic happened! The creative team decided to use this time to make major rewrites and prepare to record a concept album.
The cast recording that was produced in early 2021, and can be listened to here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3fgxDaxfEZilNUyLkqNULK?si=DcsRPJehQPWEB9YuCsWCcQ
Now that theatres are re-opening, Crave finally feels ready to bring the live stage version to Portland audiences! Unfortunately, Michael was not able to rejoin as co-director for the stage version and Rachael loves collaborative directing; that’s where you come in. We look forward to reviewing your application soon!
compensation
$2,200 total stipend; $1,100 is paid upon signing and $1,100 is paid on show opening.
how to apply
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Submit a letter of interest to cravetheatrecompany@gmail.com and include “Co-Director” in the subject line.
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Attach your resume and a link to your website (if applicable)
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Include two professional references
non-discrimination policy
Crave Theatre Company is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, citizenship status or any other classification protected by Federal, State, or Local law. We strive to collaborate with a range of individuals who are representative of the community we serve and we are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, and Disabled persons are encouraged to apply