Music Director for the Obsidian Theatre Festival

Job Description

The Obsidian Theatre Festival, produced by GhostLight Creative Productions, Incorporated and Nicely Theatre Group, is CALLING for Musical Directors for its fourth season.

The Obsidian Theatre Festival centers Black stories, through an invigorating celebration of new work by emerging Black voices. Produced by Detroiters in the city of Detroit, the Obsidian Theatre Festival illuminates the rich diversity of experiences relevant to the African diaspora.

Our team seeks to normalize the panoply of Black American culture through an inclusive, color conscious lens. We are dedicated to the exploration of universal themes, and acknowledgment of the ways in which intersecting identities shape the world in which we live.

Returning for our fourth season, we believe art is most impactful when artists bring the fullness of their identities and experiences to their work; and we actively encourage creativity in thought, storytelling and casting by asking the following:

*How do stories shift if the established ideas of a character’s gender identity, ethnicity, disability, skin color, height, weight, and/or sexual orientation are challenged?

*What layers of meaning and depth, if any, are brought to the surface in this exploration?

*How does an imaginative, out of the box creative process push back against, or reinforce existing social structures?

The Obsidian Theatre Festival accepts applicants of every identity, and does not discriminate on the basis of identity, including but not limited to: race, creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, religion, HIV serostatus, disability, height, weight, veteran status, marital status, or economic class.

The Obsidian Theatre Festival will be presented in 3 parts

*OTF Main Stage: Featuring full-length plays that examine the diversity of the black experience.

*Musical Theatre Showcase: Staged readings of new musicals, highlighting an important step in the development of new work.

*Obsidian Cabaret: Featuring nationally renowned artists in an intimate evening of music and storytelling.

For more information about The Obsidian Theatre Festival please visit www.obsidianfest.org

LOCATION: Detroit, MI

SEEKING:
Musical Directors with experience in Cabaret, Musical Theatre and/or Multimedia. BIPOC artists are strongly encouraged to submit.

*Musical Directors for the Obsidian Theatre Festival will be selected to curate and oversee the musical elements of the festival, including working closely with the Producing Artistic Director, Supervising Director and Stage Manager throughout the process.

*Musical Directors will be selected based on their experience to oversee either the Musical Theatre Showcase or the OTF Cabaret.

*A candidate who is flexible, strategic and able to work in a collaborative space.

*Will need to work closely with Playwright, Composer, and the Stage Director (if applicable) for the presentations.

*Candidates within close proximity to the Detroit Metro area Strongly preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:

*Strong organizational, leadership and mentoring skills

*Outstanding judgment and ability to prioritize varying tasks.

*Skilled in communicating clearly, with tact and discretion, as well as maintaining confidentiality.

*Able to coordinate timely responses between internal departments.

*Be able to work closely with the Director (if applicable) to plan and execute the rehearsal schedule.

*Able to promptly relay to the Stage Manager the production’s needs for copies of music and copies for music changes/adjustments.

*Experience maintaining relationships with artists and stagehands.

*Ability to play the piano during rehearsals or performances

*Ability to assist in transposing, if needed.

*Ability to teach all levels of vocal technique with performers

*Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

*High level of computer proficiency with knowledge of Google Suite.

*Previous experiences with the following are a plus:

-Frame IO

-COVID-19 Safety standards

SAFETY:
We are committed to the health and safety of all of our artists, employees, and guests. In order to maintain the safest environment possible, all Obsidian Theatre Festival staff, artists, creative teams, crews, and ushers are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 (both rounds of vaccinations.). The only exception to mandatory vaccination is providing a physician note due to a qualifying disability or a statement of religious exemption.

SCHEDULE:
The Obsidian Theatre Festival’s Music Directors will be intimately involved in the casting. Casting is anticipated in late February, with callbacks in March. Auditions will be submitted electronically and callbacks will be via Zoom. Live performances will be June 27th-30th in Detroit, MI and culminating in live stream virtual productions.

Musical Showcase rehearsals will be in the performance space. Cabaret rehearsals will take place at Detroit Opera House.

Estimated workload averages 20-40 hours per week for rehearsal/production weeks.

Tentative Dates:

Interviews: Beginning in November

Auditions Review Period: February-March TBD

Callbacks: Beginning mid March

Virtual Rehearsal (Main Stage Only): Starts May 20th

Main Stage Virtual Orientation: May 20th

In Person Rehearsal (Main Stage Only): Starts May 27th

MT Showcase Virtual Orientation: June 9th

In Person Rehearsal (MT Showcase/Obsidian Cabaret): Starts June 10th

Tech: Begins June 17th (MS); June 19 (MT) - TBC

Performances: June 27th-June 30th

Film Pick Ups: July 1st-3rd

Strike/Load Out: July 5th

COMPENSATION: Flat Fee: $1500.

If you have any questions please email, [email protected]