Director/ Musical Director

Kingston Fringe Festival August 2026 | Kingston, Ontario

After years of rewrites, workshops, fine-tuning, and studio recordings, we’re ready for our world premiere at the Kingston Fringe Festival.  If you’re excited by this, and you have experience as a Director/Musical Director, then we’d like to speak to you!

***  About the Role: 

We’re looking for a Toronto-based non-union Director/Musical Director with musical theater experience. The mid-July to early August rehearsals would be in Toronto with the shows at the Kingston Fringe Festival taking place Aug 5-16th (exact dates TBD).  As the Director, you must be creative in putting on a low-budget Fringe production.  In the Musical Director role, you must be proficient in piano, experienced in vocal coaching, and comfortable conducting singers with recorded tracks. 

***  About the Production: 

This emotionally compelling musical requires a director who can bring depth, nuance, and powerful storytelling to complex material. This production will use professionally recorded backing tracks rather than live musicians. You will manage all aspects of the production including casting, rehearsals, staging, vocal direction, and technical elements, and will be supported by the writer and co-producers. The production has four principal roles, and a chorus of four.

***  Location and dates: 

April - August

*** Toronto dates: All rehearsals will be in Toronto, in a location accessible by transit. We will also do a small number of live readings and charity preview performances in the week or two before Kingston Fringe. 

*** Kingston Fringe Festival dates: August 6-16, 2026, with a technical rehearsal on Aug 5th.

*** Compensation: TBD; will involve a share of our Fringe ticket revenue (we’re currently working through the budget.)   In addition, we will provide lodging in Kingston during the time of performance. We will also professionally videotape the performance, and provide the video to you for your portfolio. 

*** Length of engagement: April 2026 – August 16, 2026

*** Future Opportunities:  Our intention is to produce this in Toronto in spring/summer 2027, and our desire is for the same Director to do the Toronto run.

*** Citizenship Requirements: Canadian citizen or permanent resident 

Application Deadline: Submissions will close March 29, at 5pm; please send your materials to us at [email protected] with the subject "Director/Musical Director"

*** Interested?  Here's what you'll need to share with us:   

  1. Cover letter which covers EACH of the following elements (we will only review applications that contain all of these elements in the cover letter):
  • Why you?  And why is this role important for you?
  • Your approach to working with recorded tracks
  • Your vocal coaching philosophy and methods
  • Initial thoughts on an artistic vision for Who Is Esther
  • Confirmation of availability, confirmation of non-union status, confirmation of Canadian citizenship or PR status 

2.  Resume/CV highlighting BOTH directing AND musical directing experience

3.  Portfolio including:

  • Photos, videos, programs from your most recent 2-3 productions
  • Specify which productions you served as Director only vs. Musical Director only, vs Dual roles

4.  Three professional references with contact information (at least one should speak to your role as a Musical Director)

Our intention is to interview a small number of candidates, and make our selection quickly.

*** Notification

Successful candidates will be notified mid-April 2026