REPORTS TO: Co-Directors of HPCSE

FLSA Status: Independent Contractor

LOCATION: Remote
COMPENSATION: $2,500

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ABOUT HPCSE: The Hunts Point Children’s Shakespeare Ensemble is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Hunts Point Alliance for Children (HPAC), Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA), and Red Bull Theater (Red Bull) that challenges 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in Hunts Point to bring the work of William Shakespeare to life. A troupe of young actors and singers work with HPAC and TFANA staff for 8 months to perform a Red Bull produced, 90-minute Shakespeare play, complete with sets, lights, costumes, and original music, at a school auditorium in the Bronx as well as The Public Theater in Manhattan. The program gives students the opportunity to examine, comprehend, and internalize a Shakespeare play with the aim of owning and embodying the characters, the text, and the story.

 

Focused on increasing student confidence, literacy skills, critical thinking, school engagement, social skills, emotional intelligence, and building ensemble, students explore the universal human themes in Shakespeare’s work, while also developing the focus, discipline, and long term commitment necessary to accomplish putting on a 90-minute piece of theater.

 

ABOUT RED BULL THEATER:

RED BULL THEATER is New York City’s home for dynamic performances of great plays that stand the test of time. With the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries as its cornerstone, the company brings rarely seen classic plays to dynamic new life for
today’s audiences, alongside new works in conversation with the classics. Since 2003, Red Bull Theater has produced 27 Off-Broadway productions and over 200 Revelation Readings of rarely seen classics, as well as offering Classes, Podcasts, Shakespeare in Schools, and more—serving a vibrant community of over 5,000 artists and reaching audiences of more than 200,000. The company’s unique programming has received ongoing critical acclaim and has been recognized with Lortel, Drama Desk, Drama League, and OBIE nominations and Awards. www.redbulltheater.com

 

ABOUT HPAC: 

Hunts Point Alliance for Children (HPAC) is a non-profit organization transforming the lives of children and families in Hunts Point, a vibrant South Bronx neighborhood with significant opportunities to improve child well-being. Founded in 2006 in response to the low education outcomes of at-risk students in Hunts Point, HPAC pursued the bold mission of expanding the hopes and potential of the neighborhood and its families. The organization accomplishes its mission by nurturing children and youth along their path to college or career. Since its founding, HPAC has grown to become a central community leader and currently directly serves approximately 300 children across programs that target early learning all the way through college, in addition to working with community school and child-serving organizations to make educational success and post-secondary options available for all Hunts Point children.

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In addition to direct service at the community level, HPAC is a convener of many of the neighborhood’s schools and community-based organizations, aligning their efforts, expanding opportunities, and leveraging resources to connect every family with much-needed support.

 

Position Description 

The Composer for HPCSE works alongside the HPCSE team to write original songs for a 90 minute Shakespeare production with lyrics pulled from the text or inspired by the text. Songs are then incorporated into the production and performed by a 4th grade
chorus backed by a live band.

 

Responsibilities for Composer

• Write original songs for the HPCSE production based upon conversations with the Co-Directors (one from HPAC and one from TFANA) , the Chorus Director, and the Dramaturg.

  • Number of songs vary upon production

    • Generally 5 - 7

      • Sometimes additional reprises with slightly differing lyrics

      • Multiple drafts of songs may be necessary and final versions will be approved by the Co-Directors.

• Meetings with HPCSE staff will be scheduled based upon composer’s availability

• Provide sheet music for original songs

• Adjust musical keys, melodies, and/or lyrics depending on chorus number and ability.

 

Compensation

The flat fee for this position is $2500 paid in two installments of $1250, one on Oct 2, 2026 and one upon completion of songs and sheet music.

 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit a resume and a personal statement alongside 3 samples of compositions to taylor@hpac10474.org. For the personal statement, ditch the “cover letter” and speak from the heart about what excites you about this job opportunity. While we ask that resumes be submitted in written form, we invite applicants to submit their personal statement via a written piece, audio or video recording – whatever form best supports your self-expression. If you choose to submit an audio or video recording, please keep it under 2 minutes.