Music Director

Children’s Theatre of Winnetka (CTW) is looking for an experienced Music Director for our spring 2026 production of Disney’s High School Musical.

Position Overview:

The Music Director (MD) is responsible for working with the Director in preparing a live theatre production. At its core, the MD’s job is to understand how songs and music serve a show’s story, setting, drama, and emotional context, and to bring out those critical elements in high quality and consistent performances. The MD is hard at work from the very beginning of the production process: developing an overall vision for the production’s music, making the music more accessible for young actors, leading the musical aspects of the audition process, casting the show, and selecting and hiring musicians as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead musical auditions and make casting recommendations to the Director.
• Schedule music rehearsals in collaboration with the Director, Choreographer, and Producers.
• Vocalize and warm up the cast before rehearsals and performances.
• Teach music and support cast members in learning their vocal parts.
• Lead rehearsals for principals, ensemble, and musicians.
• Collaborate with the Sound Designer to balance cast and musician microphones.
• Attend production meetings and rehearsals as needed.
• Transpose or orchestrate music as required.
• Hire musicians for the pit orchestra.
• Play keyboard and/or conduct all performances.

Qualifications:

• Background in musical theatre performance and experience working with children ages 9–14 is preferred.
• Energetic, collaborative, and supportive of CTW’s mission.
• Comfortable working alongside a volunteer parent board.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts or Music Education preferred.
• Piano proficiency strongly preferred.

Key Dates (Approximate / Flexible):

Auditions: Saturday, January 10 – Wednesday, January 14

Rehearsals: January 20 – April 11

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00–8:00 PM
• Saturdays, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Tech Week: April 14 – April 19

Dress Rehearsals: April 21 – April 22

Performances: April 23 – April 26

About CTW:

Children’s Theatre of Winnetka is a premier children’s theatre program for children in grades 4th-8th grade.   We are a non-profit organization with a dedicated parent volunteer board that produces two shows a year; November and April.  Our professional staff includes our Producing Artistic Director, Aaron Umsted, as well as a Director, Choreographer, Stage Manager, and a Sound/Lighting Designers.