Upper School Drama Director and Teacher

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Drama Director and Teacher to lead and build on the legacy of our highly regarded and thriving drama program while shaping its future. The ideal candidate will be passionate about fostering creativity and excellence in young artists while sustaining the program’s tradition of delivering three exceptional productions annually. Reporting to the Creative Arts and Upper School Directors, the Drama Director and Teacher will guide students in exploring a diverse repertoire of theatrical works, from classical and Shakespearean texts to contemporary Broadway musicals.

The successful candidate must enjoy working with high school students and be comfortable working in a rigorous academic setting. The candidate must have demonstrated success directing theatrical productions, particularly with young performers; have a deep knowledge of a wide range of theatrical genres and styles, from classical to contemporary; have strong organizational skills, with experience managing resources, budgets, and production schedules; and have excellent interpersonal and communications skills, with the ability to build relationships across the school community.

Qualified candidates should have a minimum of three years of teaching experience in a high school setting and/or significant experience in directing both dramatic and musical theater productions. A Bachelor’s degree in performing arts or a related field is required and a graduate degree and background working in the theater industry are highly desired.

Responsibilities:

Direct and produce three annual theatrical productions (Fall, Winter, Spring), maintaining high artistic and technical standards.
Teach 2 sections of Drama.
On occasion, in tandem with the Middle School drama teacher, co-produce a mixed Upper & Middle school production
Collaborate and coordinate with the Middle School drama team and program
Collaborate with faculty, staff, and the broader school community to integrate the arts into campus life.
Mentor and supervise student-initiated drama projects and inspire students to develop their skills in acting, stagecraft, and theatrical production.
Oversee and manage the drama program production and drama classroom budget and resources.
Work in partnership with technical staff to optimize the use of our performing arts center.
Foster a positive and inclusive environment that encourages participation from students of all backgrounds.
We look for educators who:

Will inspire and support our students and be active participants in our student life program and in other aspects of our vibrant learning community.
Share our dedication to cultivating an ever more heterogeneous and inclusive community while committing to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Actively cultivate environments that empower students so that all students will see and counter gender and race biases in group work at school and beyond, and are deeply invested in teaching in ways that recognize the implicit biases they and the world hold, to engage students in culturally competent ways.
Will work to be inclusive so that every student can see themself in their classrooms, the curricula, and their disciplines.
Are highly collaborative with other community members both within their own department and in the School community as a whole.
Feel excited about designing and executing curriculum as part of a teaching team.
Are committed to professional growth in their discipline and in their teaching practice.
Are passionate about teaching, experts in their fields, and dedicated to helping all students achieve their personal best.
Will embody the heart of Menlo School by promoting collegial, respectful and supportive relationships.
We offer:

An exceptional work environment and caring community
Excellent professional development opportunities
Highly competitive salary
Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including generous contributions to a retirement plan. Learn more by going to https://www.menloschool.org/employment-benefits.php.
To be considered for this position please submit your resume and cover letter through our portal.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About us:

Menlo School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for students in grades six through twelve. Located in Atherton, California, and established in 1915, the School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National and California Associations of Independent Schools.

Menlo is dedicated to providing a challenging academic curriculum complemented by outstanding creative arts and athletic programs. The School helps students develop positive values and nurtures character development in a supportive environment that upholds the highest moral and ethical standards. Our program encourages students to reach their fullest potential and to develop the skills necessary to respond intelligently and humanely to the complexities of a diverse and increasingly interconnected world.

At Menlo School, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are at the core of our organizational identity. Through our daily efforts, the School demonstrates a shared commitment to the development of all stakeholders by supporting a campus ethos where equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging reflect the major cornerstones of our community.

Our equal opportunity employment policy:

Menlo School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. We administer all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law.

Pay range:

In the spirit of pay transparency we share the base salary range for this position for the 2025-2026 academic year. Our Faculty have a wide range of experience. We have teachers who are relatively new to the profession and those who have expertly taught for over 30 years. The full pay range, which encompasses all experience levels is $95,506 – $181,896. Within this broad range, we pay each Faculty member in accordance with what could be reasonably expected based on an individual’s experience level. Base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at Menlo are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at Menlo School, your final base salary will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, part-time status and number of months of work per academic year. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the generous range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical for Menlo School in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.

Tagged as: High School