Thank you for your interest in directing at the Gaslight-Baker Theatre. Our aim is to curate seasons that balance artistic ambition, community engagement, and production feasibility. We welcome directors who bring a strong artistic vision, a collaborative spirit, and a clear understanding of how their proposed work supports our mission and our audience.
We program across five production slots, with the capacity to present up to ten productions per year. Each slot has its own rhythm and history. When submitting a proposal, consider your show’s scale, cast size, tone, and technical requirements in relation to the slot you’re targeting. Submission Deadline is January 31, 2026
Season Overview
Each season is built around five programming periods. While each slot offers variety, they traditionally support certain types of productions based on audience patterns, volunteer capacity, and historical success. Use this framework to help determine where your proposed show fits best.
January and February (Slot One)
- Past productions include Company, The 39 Steps, Hamlet, The Minutes, Pride and Prejudice, and The Play That Goes Wrong.
- This slot often supports artistically ambitious plays or intimate musicals with strong acting or ensemble demands. Audiences respond well to text-forward productions, fast-paced comedies, adaptations, or literary classics infused with contemporary energy.
April and May (Slot Two)
- Past productions include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Arsenic and Old Lace, Crimes of the Heart, and God of Carnage.
- This slot leans toward character-driven dramas and comedies, including works with family conflict, dark humor, relationship dynamics, or emotionally grounded storytelling.
July and August (Slot Three)
- Past productions include Godspell, Annie Get Your Gun, Something Rotten, Matilda, and 9 to 5.
- This is our large summer musical slot, intended for high-energy productions with big casts, expanded design, and broad audience appeal. These shows frequently draw strong community engagement and attendance.
September and October (Slot Four)
- Past productions include Murder on the Orient Express, Rocky Horror, Clue On Stage, and Misery.
- This slot embraces heightened theatricality, suspense, genre, and bold style. Productions often explore mystery, horror, camp, or stylized comedy, and make strong use of design and atmosphere.
December (Slot Five)
- This slot is reserved for a holiday production.
- These shows lean toward heartwarming, family-friendly, or seasonally themed storytelling. They often serve as community touchpoints and draw multigenerational audiences.
Season Selection Timeline
Our goal is to finalize the upcoming season by the second week of April 2026, with a public announcement planned over the summer. Directors should submit proposals before the end of January 2026 for review and potential follow-up.
Performance Spaces
All submissions must specify which venue best supports the conceptual and practical needs of the show.
The Baker Theatre
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260-seat mainstage
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Large acting area
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Ideal for larger casts, ambitious designs, and productions needing significant scale or spectacle
The Gaslight Theatre
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Black box theatre seating 60–80
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Flexible staging configurations
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Ideal for intimate plays, experimental concepts, or productions relying on proximity and immediacy
If your show could adapt to either venue, describe how your approach would adjust.
Rehearsal Periods
Rehearsal timelines vary by production scale and complexity. Directors should plan within:
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6 to 12 weeks of rehearsal
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Larger musicals and design-heavy shows often require 9–12 weeks
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Smaller, dialogue-driven plays may fit comfortably within 6–9 weeks
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Your proposal should indicate your estimated rehearsal duration.
Submission Requirements
Directors may submit up to one show per production slot, for a maximum of five proposals. Multiple show submissions may be combined into one document.
1. Current Resume
Include:
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Directing credits with producing organizations and dates
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Assistant directing or stage management experience
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Relevant design, technical, or performance background
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Training, education, or workshops
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Leadership or organizational experience
2. Statement of Interest and Show Proposal
Provide 1–2 pages per show addressing:
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Why you want to direct at Gaslight-Baker Theatre
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The show you are proposing
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The writer(s) of the show and who currently owns the performance rights
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MTI, Concord, Dramatists Play Service, Broadway Licensing, etc.
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If rights are not available or are pending, note this clearly
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The production slot you believe best suits the piece
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The performance venue (Baker or Gaslight) and the reasoning behind that choice
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Why this show matters now
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Your early directing ideas, tone, or conceptual approach
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Anticipated production needs or technical challenges
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Estimated rehearsal period (6–10 weeks)
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Your collaborative style and leadership approach
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Whether you plan to bring any members of your own production team
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Names are not required
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Indicate whether you have preferred collaborators or plan to build a team using GBT’s in-house roster
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What you want the audience to experience or take away
3. Optional Materials
Not required but helpful:
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Visual inspiration or concept images
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Preliminary cast breakdown or technical considerations
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Community engagement or outreach ideas
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Scheduling limitations
Review Process
The Artistic Director and Programming Committee review all submissions. With up to ten productions spread across five annual slots, selections must balance artistic vision, feasibility, rehearsal timelines, venue usage, and season cohesion. Directors may be contacted for follow-up discussions before final decisions are made.
Questions? Comments? Please email doug@mygbt.org
Submission Deadline is January 31, 2026
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