Encore A–Z

Programs Directors

14 min read

Programs Directors

Encore has two Programs Directors — one for Senior Programs and one for Junior Programs — both serving in Producer roles within the organization. This doc holds the full role description for each.

At a Glance

  • Senior Programs Director oversees Signature Shows, Show with a Pro productions, and Aspire Performing Co. for advanced young artists (typically high-school age).
  • Junior Programs Director oversees the Emerging Artists Series — Emerging Artist Shows, Junior Shows, and Camps — for elementary and middle-school performers (typically ages 6–12).
  • Both report up to the Executive Director and partner closely with the Artistic Director.
  • Both function as Producer-level leaders for the programs in their portfolio. See Producer for shared Producer-role context.

Senior Programs Director

Introduction

As the Senior Programs Director, you serve in a Producer Role within Encore’s organizational structure, overseeing Signature Shows, Show with a Pro productions, and Show Choir (Aspire) for our most advanced young artists (typically high school age and experienced middle schoolers). Your role balances sophisticated artistic excellence with meaningful educational experiences, developing advanced life skills and leadership abilities through challenging theatrical work while collaborating with the Artistic Director to maintain Encore’s mission.

The Senior Programs represent the pinnacle of Encore’s educational programming, featuring challenging repertoire, advanced technical elements, and mentorship opportunities. These productions serve as capstone experiences that develop advanced life skills, leadership abilities, and artistic excellence in our most dedicated young artists while maintaining the educational mission that defines all Encore programming.

Key Responsibilities

  • Program Leadership: Collaborate with the Artistic Director to oversee all Senior Programs, ensuring productions represent the highest artistic standards while serving as advanced educational experiences for accomplished young artists.
  • Artistic Excellence: Work with the Artistic Director to maintain professional-level artistic standards while ensuring all productions continue to serve educational objectives and develop important life skills in young artists.
  • Advanced Budget Management: Manage complex Senior Programs budgets that include professional guest artists, advanced technical elements, and higher production values while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
  • Strategic Fundraising: Secure significant funding for Senior Programs through major donor cultivation, corporate partnerships, and grants focused on advanced arts education and leadership development.
  • Professional Team Assembly: Work with the Artistic Director and Production Manager to recruit creative and technical teams that can deliver professional-quality work while serving as mentors and teachers for advanced young artists.
  • Community and Professional Engagement: Develop marketing strategies that position Senior Programs as premier community theater while emphasizing the advanced educational opportunities and leadership development for young artists.
  • Quality and Standards Management: Ensure all Senior Programs uphold Encore’s reputation for excellence while continuing to serve our educational mission at the highest level.

Essential Qualities

  • Artistic Vision: Deep understanding of professional theater standards combined with expertise in advanced theater education for talented young artists.
  • Advanced Leadership: Sophisticated management skills capable of coordinating complex productions while maintaining educational focus and mentorship opportunities.
  • Educational Excellence: Ability to design and oversee advanced learning experiences that develop leadership, confidence, collaboration, and other important life skills through challenging artistic work.
  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to position Senior Programs as both artistic achievements and educational milestones that enhance Encore’s reputation and mission.
  • Professional Network: Strong connections within the professional theater community to bring guest artists, professional opportunities, and industry expertise to Senior Programs.

Pre-Production Process

Show Selection and Artistic Vision

  • Collaborate with the Artistic Director to select challenging repertoire that serves as appropriate capstone experiences for advanced young artists.
  • Partner with the Artistic Director to develop sophisticated artistic visions that maintain educational value while achieving professional standards.
  • Create production concepts that provide meaningful growth opportunities and life skill development for accomplished students.
  • Write comprehensive mission statements that articulate both artistic excellence and advanced educational outcomes.

Advanced Budget and Calendar Development

  • Create sophisticated production budgets accounting for professional guest artists, advanced technical elements, and higher production values.
  • Develop comprehensive fundraising strategies targeting major donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations supporting advanced arts education.
  • Plan schedules that prepare students for high-level commitments while respecting educational boundaries.
  • Create technical schedules that allow for complex production elements while serving as learning experiences.

Professional Team Assembly

  • Work with the Artistic Director to recruit creative teams with professional credentials who can serve as mentors and teachers for advanced students.
  • Select designers capable of creating sophisticated production elements while involving students in meaningful learning experiences.
  • Hire technical staff who can manage complex productions while providing advanced educational opportunities.
  • Bring in guest artists and professionals who can provide industry insight and networking opportunities.

Strategic Marketing and Community Engagement

  • Develop marketing strategies that position Senior Programs as premier community theater while highlighting educational value.
  • Create promotional campaigns that attract diverse audiences and demonstrate the caliber of Encore’s advanced programming.
  • Set ticket pricing that reflects the professional quality while remaining accessible to the community.
  • Build relationships with media, community leaders, and arts organizations to enhance visibility and support.

Production Phases

Casting

  • Partner with the Artistic Director to oversee sophisticated audition processes that identify and challenge our most advanced young artists.
  • Work with creative teams to make casting decisions that balance artistic excellence with educational opportunity.
  • Ensure casting provides meaningful growth opportunities for all participants while maintaining high artistic standards.
  • Support casting approaches that maintain Encore’s inclusive mission while honoring the advanced nature of Senior Programs.

Rehearsal Process

  • Lead parent meetings that communicate the professional standards and educational objectives of Senior Programs.
  • Support creative teams in maintaining rigorous rehearsal environments that prepare students for high-level work.
  • Monitor rehearsal progress for both artistic achievement and advanced educational outcomes.
  • Ensure rehearsal processes provide mentorship and leadership development alongside artistic growth.

Technical Rehearsals

  • Oversee complex technical rehearsals with attention to both artistic achievement and student development.
  • Monitor for appropriate challenge levels that push students while maintaining supportive learning environments.
  • Ensure technical schedules provide adequate time for sophisticated work while respecting student well-being.
  • Support technical processes that provide meaningful learning experiences for advanced students.

Performance and Closing

  • Read performance reports with attention to both artistic achievement and advanced educational outcomes.
  • Manage any issues that arise with professionalism appropriate to the high-profile nature of Senior Programs.
  • Ensure performance experiences serve as meaningful culminations of educational processes.
  • Document achievements and growth that demonstrate the value of Senior Programs.

Conclusion

Your leadership ensures Senior Programs represent the pinnacle of what young artists can achieve while developing advanced life skills, leadership abilities, and confidence for success in any field they choose. Through sophisticated production choices, rigorous yet supportive processes, and unwavering commitment to both excellence and education, you develop young leaders while demonstrating the extraordinary potential of arts education.

The Senior Programs stand as a testament to what becomes possible when educational mission meets artistic ambition.

Junior Programs Director

Introduction

As the Junior Programs Director, you serve in a Producer Role within Encore’s organizational structure, overseeing the Emerging Artists Series including the Emerging Artist Shows, Junior Shows, and Camps for elementary and middle school-aged performers (typically ages 6–12). Your role focuses on building foundational theater skills, fostering confidence, and creating positive first experiences in theatrical production while collaborating closely with the Artistic Director to maintain Encore’s educational mission and artistic standards.

The Junior Programs serve as stepping stones in our young artists’ theatrical journeys, establishing the skills and passion that will carry them through their continued growth at Encore. These productions prioritize educational value, age-appropriate challenges, and creating an environment where every young performer can succeed and grow.

Key Responsibilities

  • Program Leadership: Collaborate with the Artistic Director to oversee all Junior Programs from show selection through performance, ensuring productions align with Encore’s educational mission and age-appropriate development goals.
  • Educational Focus: Design productions that prioritize skill development, confidence building, and positive theatrical experiences while maintaining artistic standards appropriate for young performers.
  • Budget Management: Manage Junior Programs budgets effectively, accounting for youth-specific needs including additional supervision, safety equipment, and age-appropriate materials.
  • Team Assembly: Work with the Artistic Director and Production Manager to hire creative teams experienced in youth theater education who understand both artistic excellence and child development.
    • Onboarding & Hiring Requirement: All creative team hires require a final interview with the Artistic Director. All other Encore team hires require a final interview with the Executive Director.
  • Safety and Family Engagement: Oversee all safety considerations specific to working with young performers while maintaining excellent communication with parents and guardians about educational goals and production processes.
  • Marketing and Community Outreach: Develop family-focused marketing strategies that emphasize educational value, age-appropriate content, and the developmental benefits of theater participation.

Essential Qualities

  • Educational Leadership: Strong understanding of child development and age-appropriate theatrical education, with ability to guide teams in creating meaningful learning experiences.
  • Family Communication: Excellent skills in communicating with parents and guardians, maintaining transparency about educational goals while managing expectations appropriately.
  • Collaborative Spirit: Ability to work effectively with education-focused creative teams and foster positive relationships between adult mentors and young artists.
  • Developmental Awareness: Understanding of appropriate expectations, challenges, and opportunities for elementary and middle school-aged performers.

Pre-Production Process

Show Selection and Educational Vision

  • Collaborate with the Artistic Director to select plays or musicals appropriate for elementary and middle school performers.
  • Develop an educational vision focusing on skill development and confidence building in partnership with the Artistic Director.
  • Create artistic concepts that serve young artists’ developmental needs while aligning with Encore’s overall standards.
  • Write mission statements for each production emphasizing educational value and growth opportunities.

Budget and Calendar Development

  • Create production budgets accounting for youth-specific requirements (additional supervision, safety measures, appropriate materials).
  • Develop calendars that respect young performers’ school schedules, energy levels, and attention spans.
  • Plan rehearsal schedules at appropriate times and durations for the age group.
  • Schedule tech and performance dates considering family availability and school events.

Team Assembly and Marketing

  • Work with the Artistic Director to hire creative teams experienced in youth theater education.
  • Select designers who understand age-appropriate production elements and safety considerations.
  • Recruit technical staff comfortable working around young performers.
  • Onboarding & Hiring Requirement: Ensure the hiring process follows Encore policy — creative team members complete a final interview with the Artistic Director, while all other team members complete a final interview with the Executive Director.
  • Develop marketing strategies that appeal to families and emphasize educational benefits.
  • Create promotional materials highlighting age-appropriate content and skill development opportunities.

Family and Community Engagement

  • Set ticket prices accessible to families with options for grandparents, school groups, and family packages.
  • Plan special performances including sensory-friendly and educational showcase options.
  • Schedule photo and video sessions that capture the educational process alongside performance results.

Production Phases

Casting

  • Collaborate with the Artistic Director to oversee audition processes designed to be positive experiences for young performers.
  • Help creative teams maintain Encore’s educational mission and artistic standards in casting decisions.
  • Ensure casting serves developmental goals for all participants, not just featured roles.
  • Support inclusive casting that reflects Encore’s commitment to serving all young artists.

Rehearsal Process

  • Lead parent meetings that clearly communicate educational goals, expectations, and the value of the theater experience.
  • Support creative teams in maintaining age-appropriate rehearsal environments that balance learning with fun.
  • Monitor rehearsal progress for both artistic development and educational growth.
  • Program Director Boundaries: It is unnecessary and often inappropriate for the Program Director to be actively involved in the rehearsal process or to communicate directly with creative or production team members on production-related matters unless it is vital or the Production Manager and Stage Manager are unavailable. Maintaining this boundary ensures that creative teams, production teams, and families understand the chain of command.
  • On rare occasion, it is appropriate for the Program Director to attend rehearsal simply to observe, offer encouragement, or greet the cast and team.

Technical Rehearsals

  • Program Director Boundaries: The Program Director should not be involved in running or directing technical rehearsals. Responsibility for this process rests with the Production Manager, Stage Manager, and creative team.
  • The Program Director may attend briefly to observe, but should not interfere, direct, or take an active role.

Performance and Closing

  • Serve as a professional and supportive representative of the program during the performance run, acting as the welcoming face for families and cast members.
  • Support the educational value of the performance experience as a celebration of growth and learning.
  • Read performance reports with attention to both artistic and educational outcomes.
  • Ensure young performers’ participation in strike remains age-appropriate and safe.
  • Document educational achievements and growth observed throughout the production process.

Conclusion

Your leadership ensures Junior Programs serve as transformative educational experiences that build confidence, creativity, and life skills. Through thoughtful production choices, age-appropriate processes, and unwavering focus on educational outcomes, you establish strong foundations that support young artists throughout their continued growth at Encore.

The Junior Programs represent the crucial first steps in our young artists’ theatrical journeys, and your role ensures these experiences are both educationally valuable and artistically meaningful, creating the positive associations with theater that will inspire lifelong learning and growth.

By Phase

Both Senior and Junior Programs Directors are Producer-level oversight roles. The phase notes below apply to each, scoped to the productions in their portfolio. When you ARE the Producer on a specific show, see Producer for the per-production responsibilities.

Inception

Welcome to the Encore fam! Be sure to complete your onboarding items below — we look forward to building an incredible show that builds life skills through stage skills for young artists.

Onboarding (one-time when joining Encore as a Programs Director)

  • Complete child safety training.
  • Submit background check.
  • Submit W-9.
  • Sign and return contract.
  • Complete onboarding process.

Per-Production (portfolio lens)

  • Select shows for the season in collaboration with the Artistic Director.
  • Secure rights for selected productions.
  • Develop the program-level vision and educational outcomes.
  • Establish budgets across the productions in your portfolio.

See 1 - Inception for the phase overview.

Pre-Production

  • Hire the Director and creative team for each production with the Artistic Director and Production Manager.
  • Onboarding & Hiring Requirement: ensure creative-team hires complete a final interview with the Artistic Director; other team hires complete a final interview with the Executive Director.
  • Develop marketing strategies aligned with the program’s audience.
  • Set ticket pricing and accessibility plans.

See 2 - Pre-Production for the phase overview.

Casting

  • Oversee audition processes designed to be positive experiences for young performers.
  • Help creative teams uphold Encore’s educational mission in casting decisions.
  • Support inclusive casting that reflects the program’s commitment.

See 3 - Casting for the phase overview.

Rehearsals

  • Lead parent meetings for productions in your portfolio.
  • Read daily rehearsal reports; monitor progress across productions.
  • Maintain Program Director Boundaries — don’t direct rehearsals; let the creative team lead unless intervention is truly needed.
  • On rare occasion, attend rehearsal to observe, offer encouragement, or greet the cast.

See 4 - Rehearsals for the phase overview.

Pre-Tech

  • Attend the Designer Run when possible — opportunity to review the production’s progress and address concerns before tech begins.
  • Stay out of running Dry Tech or Paper Tech — that’s the Production Manager, Stage Manager, and creative team’s domain.

See 5 - Pre-Tech for the phase overview.

Technical Rehearsals

  • Program Director Boundaries: do not run or direct technical rehearsals.
  • Attend briefly to observe, but do not interfere, direct, or take an active role.

See 6 - Technical Rehearsals for the phase overview.

Performance

  • Serve as a welcoming presence for families and cast members during the run.
  • Read all performance reports; assist with anything needing repair or replacement.
  • Support special performances (sensory-friendly, ASL).

See 7 - Performance for the phase overview.

Post-Production

  • Participate in the post-mortem.
  • Document educational achievements and growth across the productions in your portfolio.
  • Capture lessons learned for future productions.
  • Reflect on the program’s progress against its annual goals.

See 8 - Post-Production for the phase overview.

Status: Working · Portal: Team · Last reviewed: 2026-05-12 · Owner: Rhett

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