2026-2027 RHP Director Application


Phone: (951) 658-5300
Address: 27402 Ramona Bowl Road, Hemet, CA 92544

Dear Applicant for Director,

Please do read this letter through as it contains some important information which would be beneficial for you to know before applying to direct at Ramona Hillside Players.

Ramona Hillside Players is currently accepting applications for Director for the 2026-2027 Season.

The production schedule for our upcoming Season is included.  Be sure to read all of this information, as it may affect your ability to fulfill the requirements of the position you seek.  Also, please carefully complete the section regarding your preference of plays.

Given the busy schedules of those involved in theatre, we like to know that you are able to give enough time to ensure a well-rehearsed production.   There is a place on the form for you to provide plans for your rehearsal schedule, like Mon. – Fri. from 7 to 10 P.M.  For those plays for which you are applying we ask that you also indicate your creative intentions.  Just a single sentence is fine as long as it explains your concept.  However, the more detailed the response, the better we can see your vision.  For example, if The Glass Menagerie is one of your choices, your description could be “I plan to do this in its traditional period and style”.

The application deadline is April 13th, 2026.  If there are difficulties in meeting this deadline, please send an E-Mail to .   Successful candidates will be required to meet with Board Members in person or over the phone at a later date.  It is also strongly recommended that you attend our Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony taking place at the end of June / beginning of July 2026.  Here you will talk about the play you are directing to members and the audience.

Completed applications can be submitted via this online form.   

Thank you very much for your interest in participating at Ramona Hillside Players.

Director Stipend and Requirements

Director’s Allotment:  $500.00

The compensation for the Stage Manager $400.00 and will be paid separately.  There is $600 allocated for Lighting/Sound and Set Construction that will be paid separately as allocated by the director. This allocation must be approved by the board of directors.

Any further compensation must be approved by the Board prior to arranging for said services.

Additional Costs: Anticipated by Director – Budgeted ~ $200.00

This item includes materials, paint, wallpaper, props, makeup and other required purchases to put on the contracted play. Any additional funds needed must be submitted to the Board for approval prior to expenditure.     

Notice: Final payment of allotment funds is contingent upon striking the stage as enumerated below. Walk-through inspections will be conducted with an RHP Board representative before rehearsals begin and after the play closes and sets are struck. All keys must be returned at final inspection walk-through.

Casting:  The audition format is at the discretion of the director. Auditions are to take place on the specified dates. Pre-casting is only allowed with permission from the Board of Directors. Director will contact the board liaison with the cast names for announcements. Results of auditions will be posted on Facebook, Instagram, and our Website.

Set Completion: The director is responsible for assembling their crew of Stage Manager, Light/Sound and Set construction.  Director agrees that the set will be completed no later than the Tuesday prior to opening night to allow time for the theater to be cleaned.

Strike:

The director is expected to have completed strike for their production by the second day after the close of their production. The departing cast and crew are responsible for strike which includes:

  • Removing all furniture and props to the proper storage area
  • Disassembling all flats, risers, and set dressings to be returned to the proper storage area
  • Returning all costumes to the proper storage area
  • Sweeping and cleaning the stage, wing space, dressing rooms, and costume/makeup areas
  • Cleaning and vacuuming the green room
  • Empty cast/crew property and clean the back room refrigerator
  • Cleaning the backstage bathrooms, toilets and sinks
  • Emptying the stage and backstage trash
  • Cleaning and returning work room to proper order by putting paint, tools and hardware in their proper place

Finally, coordination between the director, cast and crew of the incoming production with those of the previous production is encouraged to determine stage use and needs which may allow for the retaining of set elements if necessary. The director is expected to inform the RHP Board of any repairs that need to be completed

Ramona Hillside Playhouse

When applying to direct, please understand the space available for use.  We are a small 97-seat community theater and the stage may be smaller than what you are used to.  Below are pictures of the seating and past sets to give you an idea of what is possible.

Production Schedule

Directors are required to be at all performances unless prior arrangements have been made with a member of the Board.

Performance Times
Fridays 7:30 PM
Saturdays 2:30pm & Sundays 2:30 PM

The first Saturday show is usually a Benefit Performance for a local community organization.  This is where an organization has purchased the entire theatre which they then use as a fundraising event.  (If no benefit can be found, then we open the show to the general public.)

For this upcoming season, we are looking at the possibility of moving the Saturday Matinee performances to evening performances.  We also might move the benefit night to a Thursday.

1st Production

Daddy's Dyin' Who's Got the Will?

Written by Del Shores

Full Length Play, Comedy / 5 women, 3 men

THE STORY: Set in a small Texas town in anytime, U.S.A., Daddy's Dyin' concerns the reunion of a family gathered to await the imminent death of their patriarch, who has recently suffered a physically as well as mentally disabling stroke. In essence, however, it is not the story of the impending demise of the father or of the drafting of his will, but of a rebirth of the spirit of the family unit. Without becoming ponderous, losing a sense of humor or pandering to timeworn cliches about Texans or Texas drawls, the story shares many elements of a good summer novel: it's a fast, delicious, easy read with funny moments, tense moments, touching moments, and characters you care about.

Runs: September 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20, 2026

Auditions: July 13 & 14, 2026

Rehearsal Time: 8 Weeks

2nd Production

Marvin's Room

Written by Scott McPherson

Full-Length Play, Dramatic Comedy / 4 women, 2 men

THE STORY: This heartbreaking and life-affirming off-Broadway hit, later adapted into an Oscar-nominated film, is the hilarious and wondrous portrait of a terminally ill woman’s commitment to loving others, from her dying father to her estranged sister and troubled nephew.

Winner! 1992 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play
Winner! 1992 Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play
Nominee: 1992 Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best American Play
Winner ! 1991 Dramatists Guild Hull-Warriner Award
Winner 1991 John Gassner Award

Runs: November 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22, 2026

Auditions: September 14 & 15, 2026

Rehearsal Time: 8 Weeks

3rd Production

The Savannah Sipping Society

Written by Jones Hope Wooten

Full Length Play, Comedy / 4 women

THE STORY:  In this delightful, laugh-a-minute comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-to-day routines, are drawn together by fate – and an impromptu happy hour – and decide it’s high time to reclaim their former enthusiasm for life.

Over the course of six months filled with laughter, hilarious misadventures and the occasional liquid refreshment, these middle-aged women successfully bond and find the confidence to jump-start their new lives. Together, they discover lasting friendships and a renewed determination to live in the moment – and most importantly, realize it’s never too late to make new old friends.

Runs: January 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 & 24, 2027

Auditions: November 16 & 17, 2026

Rehearsal Time: 8 Weeks

4th Production

A Piece of My Heart

Written by Shirley Lauro

Full Length Play, Drama / 6 women, 1 man

THE STORY: This is a powerful, true drama of six women who went to Vietnam: five nurses and a country western singer booked by an unscrupulous agent to entertain the troops. The play portrays each young woman before, during, and after her tour in the war-torn nation and ends as each leaves a personal token at the memorial wall in Washington.

Runs: March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28, 2027

Auditions: January 18 & 19, 2027

Rehearsal Time: 8 Weeks

5th Production

Murder’s in the Heir

Written by Billy St. John

Full-Length Play, Comedic Murder Mystery / 5 women, 3 men

THE STORY: In this audience participation murder mystery, each of the heirs to the tyrannical billionaire Simon Starkweather has the means, motive, and opportunity to do away with him. Starkweather gathers his family and employees on a storm-filled night to announce the contents of his will. His lawyer reveals that he has bequeathed vast fortunes to his four relatives and numerous servants. However, within hours, the will becomes invalid. The heirs and servants are not pleased, so it's not surprising when they roam the old mansion carrying such items as an axe, a gun, and a wrench, as well as other potential means for murder. Predictably, the lights go out, and Starkweather is found murdered. His grandson is determined to find his grandfather's killer. Each night, the audience votes during intermission on who they think is the murderer – and that character is revealed as the killer at the end of Act II.

Runs: May 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 2027

Auditions: March 22 & 23, 2027

Rehearsal Time: 8 Weeks

2026-2027 Season Theme

The Board has decided to have each Season based around a central theme.  The theme for this upcoming Season is "A focus on Women:  Their strength, courage, and humor".

We are looking for a vision that fits this theme.

Director Information

Name
Address

A resume and three letters of recommendation are required unless you have worked in this capacity for RHP within the last 5 years. Incomplete applications will not be considered unless prior arrangements have been made.  Education and experience related specifically to the position for which you are applying should be clearly noted, especially experience with theatre in general or intimate settings.  (PLEASE NOTE:  Experience in directing isn't required as we have chosen many first time directors in the past.  However, if this is the case, your theatre experience as an actor/actress, stage manager, technical director, etc. will come into play.)

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload You can upload up to 4 files.
Upload Resume & Letters of Recommendation
Are you able to build your own set or do you have someone who is able to?

Production Availability and Interest

Please check your schedules for the rehearsal periods and performances (including those for the Benefit Nights) for any conflicts. In order of preference, with the number one ( 1 ) being your first choice, please fill in the blanks by each play. Should you not be available for a particular production, or if you do not want to apply for a production, please put NO in the blank. For us to be certain of your availability and interest, be sure that each of the productions has either a number or a NO beside it. If you specify interest for directing a production, you MUST enter your Creative Intent.
Runs: September 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20, 2026 Auditions: July 13 & 14, 2026
Runs: November 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22, 2026 Auditions: September 14 & 15, 2026
Runs: January 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 & 24, 2027 Auditions: November 16 & 17, 2026
Runs: March 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 & 28, 2027 Auditions: January 18 & 19, 2027
Runs: May 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 2027 Auditions: March 22 & 23, 2027