Teatro Vision seeking Stage Director for youth show
Dianne Vega
Stage Director: WHEN SHE HAD WINGS
Teatro Visión is producing a bilingual youth production of WHEN SHE HAD WINGS by Suzan Zeder. The production will have one week run from Thursday, April 9 through Sunday, 12, 2026 at the Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater in East San José.
We are looking for an experienced stage director who is excited to work with a cast of trained youth actors between the ages of 10 to 17 years old. The ideal candidate will bring personal lived experiences that are reflective of the stories and characters in the play, infusing the production concept with a personal perspective rooted in their own experience. There are moments in the play where the main character flies, so the ideal director will be able to accomplish this in a very creative way without the use of any flying rigging.
ABOUT THE PLAY & PRODUCTION
WHEN SHE HAD WINGS by Suzan Zeder
A story told in sound, movement and words about 9-year-old B … just plain B, like the letter, like the grade, who is about to turn 10 and is not happy about that! B knows, really knows, that before she could walk, she could fly. She is desperate to remember how before the dreaded birthday comes. In a summer thunderstorm, B's treehouse is hit by lightning, and a mysterious stranger appears. She cannot speak except in strange squawks, single words and occasionally the letters "KHAQQ" … the call letters of the plane Amelia Earhart was flying when she disappeared and was never found. Is this creature a bird, an older woman escaped from a senior care unit or could she possibly be Amelia herself? Together they must help each other remember how to fly … literally and metaphorically.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
The ideal director will be able to make people fly without the use of flying rigging.
Analyzing the script and developing the overall style, tone, and mood of the play in production.
Collaborating with the Artistic Director, ensure that the production aligns with the organization’s standards of artistic excellence and values including celebration of diversity and positive cultural identity, desire for social justice, and artistic development.
Auditioning and casting actors from a pool of youth actors who have undergone Teatro Visión’s youth teatro training program.
Attending and facilitating design & production meetings in collaboration with the Production Manager to communicate artistic concepts to production designers.
Scheduling rehearsals in collaboration with the Stage Manager.
Giving production rehearsal notes to the stage manager at the end of each rehearsal to report to the production team.
Ensuring that the production is ready for public performances by scheduled opening performance.
Operating within set budget parameters for all aspects of production.
Supporting community engagement & marketing efforts for the production, including but not limited to in the following ways:
Facilitating the connection between rehearsal and community engagement activities related to the production, in collaboration with organization staff and key community partners.
Being available for publicity interviews, video content, and other promotional opportunities outside of rehearsal hours.
Providing written artistic statements about the project as requested.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in physical theater is desirable.
Experience in aerial performance is also desirable.
Must have past experience directing theatrical stage productions.
Experience working with youth in artistic and/or educational settings preferred.
Bilingual, English and Spanish, preferred, but not required.
Can speak to how their personal lived experiences are connected to the characters, themes, and topics of the play.
Must be able to pass a background check, including fingerprint check.
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE
Design and production meetings: BI-monthly beginning early Jan. 2026 .
Auditions (virtual or in-person): Feb. 14, 2026.
Rehearsals: Feb. 21-April 8, 2026. Rehearsal work days are subject to change according to the director's availability. Weekday evening and weekend availability required.
Performances: April 9-12, 2026
All rehearsals and performances take place in San Jose, CA
Travel and housing are not provided.
COMPENSATION
$5,500. Based on an estimated 200 hrs. for rehearsal, meeting, prep, and production time. No benefits.
To Apply: Please submit your resume to Production Manager Dianne Vega at dia...@teatrovision.org.
Teatro Visión is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, creed, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.
En el espíritu del teatro,
Teatro Visión
PO Box 28367, San José, CA 95159-8367