Chris Dearbeck
Boston,MA
Summary
Dynamic leader in performing arts and education, instrumental in achieving a 30% expansion in programming and a 220% increase in after-school enrollment. Successfully managed over 18 award-winning productions while ensuring seamless technical execution and enhancing community engagement through strategic event coordination.
Overview
2
2
Certifications
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Visual & Performing Arts K-12 / Coordinator of Family & Consumer Science
Billerica Public Schools
Billerica, MA
08.2013 - 08.2026
- Expanded co-curricular performing arts programming by 30% and increased after-school enrollment by 220% over five years through budget management and coordination of auditorium rentals.
- Oversaw technical problem-solving during live events, addressing signal disruptions to maintain production standards.
- Served as central contact for event execution, facilitating communication among technical crews, vendors, and academic decision-makers.
- Directed task delegation for student stage managers and technical assistants across 18 musical theater productions, ensuring timely milestone delivery.
- Increased high school musical theater offerings to three productions per season, accommodating approximately 80 auditioning students per show.
- Restructured 4th grade chorus model from selective to inclusive, achieving 100% student participation and enhancing collaborative learning.
- Allocated resources for equipment investments in arts programs, extending lifecycle through proactive planning.
- Designed district-wide tracking system for professional development offerings, streamlining registration and attendance monitoring.
Musical Theater Director
Billerica Public Schools
Billerica, MA
01.2019 - 08.2026
- Managed lighting and sound console operations during technical runs to synchronize cue timing with live performances.
- Supervised maintenance and safety checks of rigging systems and automated stage machinery to comply with safety standards.
- Directed musical theater program since 2019, expanding performance opportunities from one to three mainstage musicals annually.
- Achieved over 18 mainstage productions and 200+ nominations, establishing program as most decorated in Massachusetts.
- Collaborated with costume, lighting, and sound teams to approve scenic builds and rigging plans for optimal production flow.
- Ensured aesthetic quality of painted scenic elements and props remained consistent with design vision through collaboration with scenic artists.
- Managed inventory and organization of costume stock, wigs, and wardrobe supplies to maintain professional-grade presentation.
- Constructed and painted full-scale scenic elements using hand and power tools to meet Broadway-caliber design standards.
Website Design & Social Media Content Coordinator
Billerica Public Schools
Billerica, MA
09.2015 - 08.2026
- Led migration of two websites to Google Suites for Education and WordPress, tripling parent engagement.
- Established weekly post feature for consistent school-to-home communication.
- Managed district Facebook page by creating a streamlined submission system, increasing event attendance by 20%.
- Developed library of reusable Google Slides templates for leadership, enhancing visual consistency and reducing prep time.
- Conducted user discovery sessions with parents and staff to identify friction points in communication.
- Mapped digital experience to inform new website architecture, reducing communication barriers.
- Designed teacher evaluation system on Google Extensions, enabling real-time feedback and improving timeliness.
- Facilitated virtual professional development via Zoom, utilizing breakout rooms to enhance remote training engagement.
Performing Arts Director/Teacher
Girard School District
Girard, PA
06.2005 - 08.2013
- Originally hired to be the Band Director grades 6-12. During the 3rd year of my tenure, I pursued and secured the Performing Arts Director role, which managed, budgeted, and evaluated the other ensemble directors including Concert Band, Choir, Jazz Band, and Dramatics.
- High School Music Department Head responsible for hiring educators, assistants, and adjuncts, which enabled a shift to a Director role and a holistic approach to programming that increased student engagement.
- Expanded enrollment in Performing Arts Department by introducing courses in piano & guitar, private lessons, AP Music Theory, and music appreciation, enhancing student engagement and program diversity.
- Created curriculum for AP Music Theory, Music in Film, and Music History.
- Transformed the marching band from a festival format into competition. Within 2 years the marching band doubled in size and won the regional class championship.
- Hosted and organized 9 local marching band and showcase competitions, generating revenue for parent-led booster organization to support various performing arts ensembles throughout the school year.
- Developed the Handbell program into an elite ensemble, securing frequent invitations to local, state, and National Music Education conferences, which elevated the department's institutional reputation and generated significant donations from local and corporate organizations.
- Partnered with the Erie Philharmonic to provide free string instrument instruction to middle school students, resulting in program growth from 1% to 7% of the total school population by year three and the successful hiring of a full-time strings instructor, ultimately leading to the school's first all-state orchestral participant.
- Restructured Marching Band Boosters into complete Music Booster Organization, tripling enrollment and significantly increasing yearly dues and donor network capacity.
Education
Bachelor of Music - Music Education
Westminster College
New Wilmington, PAMaster of Science - Curriculum and Instruction
Gannon University
Erie, PACertificate of Advanced Graduate Studies - School Administration K-12
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, PAMaster of Education - Educational Leadership
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, PASkills
- Technical theater management
- Technical direction
- Sound Design
- Audio Technology
- Event coordination
- Budget management
- Creative production management
- Digital Communication
- Microsoft Suite
- Google Suite
- Technical Support
- Performance evaluation
Certification
Graduate | National Institute of School Leadership (NISL), Project LEAD School Leadership Institute Member, Massachusetts Supervisor Core: Arts | Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
PROGRAM AWARDS
NAMM Best Community for Music Education | Billerica Public Schools
Timeline
Musical Theater Director
Billerica Public Schools
01.2019 - 08.2026
Website Design & Social Media Content Coordinator
Billerica Public Schools
09.2015 - 08.2026
Director of Visual & Performing Arts K-12 / Coordinator of Family & Consumer Science
Billerica Public Schools
08.2013 - 08.2026
Performing Arts Director/Teacher
Girard School District
06.2005 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Music - Music Education
Westminster College
Master of Science - Curriculum and Instruction
Gannon University
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies - School Administration K-12
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Master of Education - Educational Leadership
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania