CircEsteem Spring Youth Show Co-Director

CircEsteem is seeking a Chicago-based director with a dedication and passion for working with youth. The ideal candidate will have previous experience directing large ensembles that include youth voice in the artistic creation process with preferred background in circus, dance, or physical theatre. The co-director will work under the supervision of the program management team and in collaboration with the Program Coordinator and in-house circus teaching artists to create and implement their vision for CircEsteem’s Spring Youth Show.

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The co-director will work on a collaborative team to co-direct a circus show with an ensemble of 80-100) youth and approximately 10 teaching artists. The co-director will partner with a director to execute the vision for this show. With our work centered on social circus, the director will create a clear vision for the production by working directly with our youth, soliciting input and feedback on important themes and narratives in their lives. The circus acts will be created across our CYC (Chicago Youth Circus) and Performance Troupe programs coached and choreographed by our in-house circus teaching artists who will work intimately with the director to implement the developed vision. The co-director will employ SEL (social emotional learning) skills into their rehearsal process, attending and leading all pertinent rehearsals decided upon by the creative and leadership team. The co-director will be in close partnership with CircEsteem’s programming staff, adhering to all aspects of our educational mission, culminating in a fantastical circus performance for our youth.  

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All performances and rehearsals will be held at CircEsteem’s Headquarters at 4730 N. Sheridan Rd. 

Rehearsals will be held during regularly scheduled programming: 

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Fridays between 5:00p - 8:00p 

Saturdays between 9:00a - 1:00p

Performances will be  May  9th,10th, 16th and 17th

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Duties & Responsibilities:

• Process & Vision:
  • Create a strong and clear vision centered on youth voice & experience. 
  • In collaboration with our teaching artists, develop circus acts centered on the production’s theme that will be choreographed and coached across CircEsteem’s programming. 
  • Build and implement a storyboard/run order with staged transitions. 
  • Employ social emotional learning skills as a part of the creative process. 
• Rehearsals & Production Calendar:
  • In partnership with CircEsteem’s program staff, create a rehearsal & production calendar. 
  • Attend all necessary rehearsals (averaging 2-3x a week) in partnership with the program coordinator.
  • Attend all scheduled production meetings with the core program & teaching staff. 
  • Schedule creative meetings with the production's costume designer and lighting designer. 
  • Work with the youth, teaching artists, and program coordinator for music selection and sound design.

Timeline & Requirements:

• Interviews will be held November 2025
• Creative & Programmatic meetings will begin in _December 2025
• Rehearsals will take place starting in January 2025
• Must pass a background check
• Availability on most Fridays and Saturdays during programming time * times noted above
• • Attend all necessary and scheduled rehearsals during scheduled programming days.
  • Attend all production & design meetings. 
  • Attend Opening Night // All Performances as discussed at time of hire?
  • Adhere to CircEsteem’s COVID protocols that are consistent with CDC guidelines and recommendations
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‍How to Apply:For consideration, please submit the following to springcircus@circesteem.org
‍Email Subject: Spring Circus Co-Director Application‍

• CV/Resume
• Directing/Creative Portfolio
• Letter of interest that introduces yourself, as well as the following questions:some text
  • What kind of aesthetic/storytelling are you most interested in as a director?
  • What do you enjoy most about working with youth in the creative & performing arts?
  • How do you employ SEL into your work as a director?

‍Stipend:2,500 December – May 20 (Exact rehearsal schedule will be discussed and determined before a contract is issued.)