The Pingry School · 1 day ago
Middle School Drama Teacher and Musical Director
Basking Ridge, NJ
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$60K/yr - $110K/yrThe Pingry School is a prestigious K-12 independent day school in the United States that emphasizes academic excellence and a commitment to arts and community engagement. They are seeking a Middle School Drama Teacher and Musical Director to lead an inclusive performing arts program, design curriculum, teach drama classes, and direct musical productions while fostering a vibrant theatre community among students.
EducationPrimary EducationSecondary Education
Responsibilities
Design a Middle School Drama sequence for grades 6–8 that:
Extends the ensemble-based, educational approach of the Lower School into early adolescence
Introduces age-appropriate acting and performance vocabulary that sets students up for success in Upper School drama and musical theatre
Welcomes students with a wide range of prior experience, including those who are brand new to performing
Use the existing Middle School schedule structure (required experiences for all students and elective opportunities for older students) to create a clear, developmentally coherent progression of learning
Blend devised work and script-based work, so students learn both to create original pieces and to interpret existing plays and musicals
Build a trajectory of Sharings, Showcases, and Productions that helps students grow gradually more comfortable performing for larger and more varied audiences
Teach a full Middle School course load within the current block schedule, including:
Required drama / performing arts classes for a broad cross-section of students
Musical theatre and/or drama electives for students seeking deeper engagement
Basic technical theatre skills and understanding
In all classes:
Establish ensemble norms that support trust, empathy, and risk-taking
Use improvisation, creative dramatics, and structured rehearsal to develop discipline, focus, and listening skills
Teach foundational acting tools: body and vocal awareness, character development, objectives, scene work, and age-appropriate script analysis
Help students connect performance skills to broader life skills such as public speaking, collaboration, and self-advocacy
Serve as director of the Middle School musical, working closely with:
The Vocal Music Teacher for music direction
Technical theatre staff and/or student crews
Choreographers or movement specialists
Design at least one additional theatre experience each year that is not a musical, such as:
A straight play
A one-act festival
A devised performance built around a shared theme or text
Model and teach strong rehearsal habits, ensemble responsibility, and reflective practice so students are prepared for the expectations of Upper School productions
Teach audience skills so students learn how to watch and respond to performances thoughtfully
Integrate and lead accessible movement and staging within Middle School musical theatre and drama classes, drawing on frameworks such as Laban Movement Analysis or related educational dance approaches
Depending on experience and schedule, help develop and/or lead movement-based co-curricular offerings, such as:
Middle School dance team or performance group during an Activities Block
A musical theatre, dance, or movement club
Choreography for talent shows, assemblies, or special events
Collaborate with any current or future dance adjunct faculty to align movement expectations and support choreography for the Middle School and Upper School musicals
Partner with Lower School Performing Arts to:
Understand and build on existing language, structures, and signature experiences
Ensure that students experience continuity of philosophy and practice as they move into Middle School
Collaborate with Upper School Drama faculty to:
Map a clear continuum of skills and experiences that lead to success in Upper School acting, musical theatre, and technical theatre
Create appropriate cross-division experiences (workshops, shared rehearsals, attending each other’s performances, etc.)
Work with Middle School colleagues (English, Social Studies, counseling, Dean of Students etc.) to:
Integrate drama and performance techniques into academic and community life where helpful
Support public speaking and presentation skills for Morning Meeting, assemblies, and grade-level events
Serve as a Middle School advisor and participate fully in the life of the division
Act as a visible, approachable champion for drama and musical theatre, intentionally inviting students from many different social and academic circles to participate
Build relationships with students and families that frame productions and performances as spaces for growth, belonging, and joyful challenge
Communicate clearly and proactively with families about rehearsal expectations, performance schedules, and the educational goals behind the work
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in Educational Theatre, Theatre, Musical Theatre, or a related field preferred
Experience with and enthusiasm for working with middle school students and understanding of their developmental milestones
Demonstrated experience teaching and directing Middle School students in drama and/or musical theatre
Experience directing student productions and collaborating with music and, ideally, movement or dance colleagues
Familiarity with ensemble-based, student-centered theatre pedagogy, including creative dramatics and devising, as well as more traditional scene work
Comfort working with students at a wide range of experience levels, from first-time performers to highly involved theatre students
A strong movement or dance background is welcome but not required. The ability to collaborate effectively with choreographers or dance specialists is essential
Dedication to supporting the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students
Robust interpersonal skills, including excellent written and oral communication skills
Dedication to partnering collaboratively with a team of talented employees
Comfortable with incorporating the latest technology into your workflow, including Schoology and Zoom
Skilled in navigating the Google Suite of applications (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, etc.)
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Experience creating, supporting, and sustaining a culture of access and equity in a school environment
In addition to honor and character, commitment to intellectual engagement, and appreciation for stewardship and sustainability, especially important is the candidate's ease with diverse constituencies and demonstrated commitment to an inclusive school community
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Retirement plans with employer matching
Life and disability insurance
Tuition remission for employees' children
Access to wellness and professional development resources
Company
The Pingry School
The Pingry School provides education from kindergarten thru grade 12.
Founded in 1861
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
The Pingry School has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2023 (2)
2022 (4)
2021 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Olaf Weckesser
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Serena Lin
Founder of the Pingry Thrift Store
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