Middle School Drama Teacher & Musical Director

About Pingry
The Pingry School, a prestigious K-12 coeducational, independent day school with a rich history dating back to its founding by Dr. John F. Pingry in 1861, stands at the forefront of academic excellence in the United States. With campuses located in Basking Ridge, Pottersville, and Short Hills, New Jersey, Pingry is celebrated for its academic programs, a student-written Honor Code that underpins our community values, and a comprehensive commitment to arts, athletics, community, and civic engagement. Our mission is to inspire in our students a lifelong passion for learning, personal development, and social responsibility, preparing them to be global citizens and luminaries of the 21st century. Rooted in relationships and guided by our foundational philosophy, Pingry is a vibrant community of more than 1,200 students hailing from over 90 towns across New Jersey and New York. At Pingry, we are united by a love of learning and a commitment to preparing students to navigate the complexities of the 21st century with confidence and integrity. For more information, we invite you to visit our website at pingry.org or connect with The Pingry School on Facebook, X, and Instagram to discover why we love school.

Position Summary
The Middle School Drama Teacher and Musical Director leads a joyful, inclusive program that invites every student into the performing arts, not only those who already see themselves as “theatre kids.” Rooted in the belief that every child is already an artist, this teacher designs and teaches a Middle School program that:

• Builds on Lower School foundations in ensemble work, devising, movement, and storytelling.
• Helps students tap into the energy and intensity of early adolescence in productive, creative ways.
• Gives all students meaningful performance experiences during their Middle School years.
• Prepares interested students for Upper School drama and musical theatre courses and productions.

This is a unique opportunity to redefine and build the Middle School program from the ground up, including creating new curriculum and signature experiences for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. The teacher in this role will play a central part in building a vibrant theatre community within the Middle School experience, where students feel known, challenged, and excited to participate.

The ideal candidate genuinely enjoys Middle School students and sees their intensity, vulnerability, and humor as creative assets. They are an inspiring, supportive presence who understands the power of the stage to build confidence, empathy, and a sense of belonging. They are skilled at drawing in students who do not yet see themselves as performers and helping them grow into committed ensemble members. They are a collaborative, flexible colleague who values close partnership with Lower and Upper School performing arts teams, and a true program builder who is excited to design a new sequence from shared K–12 values and long-term goals rather than simply inherit a static course map.

Note: The position does not include standalone curricular dance classes, but a movement background is welcome and can be integrated into musical theatre and drama classes, as well as into co-curricular offerings such as dance clubs, dance team, or choreography for productions.

Responsibilities

Program design and curriculum development

• 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.

Teaching and student experience

• 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.

Musical theatre and productions

• 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.

Movement and co-curricular opportunities (based on background)

• 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.

Collaboration and vertical alignment

• 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.

Community, advisory, and student support

• 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.

Qualifications and Experience

• 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply online at https://www.pingry.org/careers. 

The salary range for this position is $60,000-$110,000. Final compensation will be determined based on experience and education. 

Pingry offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans with employer matching; life and disability insurance; tuition remission for employees' children; and access to wellness and professional development resources.

A full list of benefits is available at www.pingry.org/careers.