Education Artist for Riotous Youth Summer Theater Program

Posted February 16, 2023
Full Time / Seasonal
Salary: $17.10/hour - $18.10/hour, local housing available

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1978, Shakespeare & Company is a thriving center of creative and collaborative excellence in Actor Training, Performance, and Education, rooted in Shakespeare’s work and the Elizabethan ideals of inquiry, balance, and harmony. Committed to nurturing the creative impulse, exploring the universal themes of human experience, engaging with the widest possible audience, and influencing future generations, Shakespeare & Company is also committed to evolving its approach to diversity and inclusion to engender an active process and positive change toward racial equity in its employment and artistry. Shakespeare & Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities; it is our intent to maintain an inclusive work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of sex, gender, race, religion, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, military service, veteran status, pregnancy or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage applications from groups historically underrepresented in theatre and theatre administration including People of the Global Majority, LGBTQIA+ individuals, women, and people who are neurodiverse. The Company is dedicated to the fulfillment of these policies in regard to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, and all other conditions and privileges of employment. Our goal is to engage ourselves in endeavors that enrich and promote a more just society.

ABOUT THE SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY EDUCATION PROGRAM & RIOTOUS YOUTH

The Education Program at Shakespeare & Company invites and empowers students to bring the classical poetry and plays of Shakespeare alive in ways that are personally inspiring, educationally rigorous, and theatrically compelling. Riotous Youth introduces young people ages 7-17 to the language, stories, characters, and ideas in the plays of William Shakespeare in fun, dynamic, and personally meaningful ways. A typical day at Riotous Youth includes active and imaginative play, exercises in voice and movement, theater games, and rehearsals. Participants work together on scenes and speeches from a Shakespeare play, culminating in a performance piece on the final day of each one-, two-, and three-week session.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Company seeks strategic, flexible, and curious thinkers to teach in its Riotous Youth summer programs, to lead theater exercises, text exploration, and group storytelling events while reinforcing a creative, safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in a paid week of Teacher Training that examines the Shakespeare & Company Education Program and the daily functioning of Riotous Youth;
• Teach and direct a group of students in various age groups ranging from 7-17 years old, cumulating in a performance piece for each age group, in alignment with the Shakespeare & Company Education Program’s ethics and aesthetics;
• Expand on and further develop these methods using personal experience, skills, and areas of passion;
• Participate in the care-taking and emotional well-being of participants while they are in our care;
• Participate in the creation of needed materials for the teaching day, including but not limited to the daily schedule, and activity and space preparation;
• Lead games and exercises to explore Shakespeare’s text in a lively and meaningful way, incite curiosity and spark the imagination; create and lead art projects to further explore the world of the play;
• Collaborate with the teaching team and admin to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that prioritizes the safety and dignity of all students and Education Artists.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CHARACTERISTICS SOUGHT

• Experience teaching young people or working in youth programs for this age group and/or a related undergraduate degree;
• Interest and respect for the foundational principles and methods in Shakespeare & Company’s commitment to the actor/audience relationship;
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; a positive attitude and energy; an inspiring, forward-thinking, empathetic, and collaborative style, exhibiting an openness to many perspectives;
• A commitment to values of anti-racism and anti-oppression and personal and/or professional experiences advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility;
• Ability to work collaboratively with a teaching team, and communicate clearly with teaching partners, team leaders, and administrative staff;
• Willingness to bring a sense of humor and flexible mindset to ever-changing situations; to listen, play and show up authentically, patiently, and respectfully when working with young people; to stay curious about their own teaching; to respond respectfully to feedback when given; and to ask for help when needed;
• Willingness to work indoors and outside;
• Experience in organizing, working, and communicating effectively with groups of individuals from diverse backgrounds, identities, abilities, and experiences;
• Completion of a COVID-19 vaccine regimen and booster, if eligible, prior to employment term, and willingness to test weekly or more as per Company safety guidelines (at Company expense).
• Successful completion of a Criminal Offense Record Information check (CORI) prior to employment term (at Company expense).

COMPENSATION

This hourly, non-exempt, at-will employee will receive $18.10/hour (equivalent to $724 per 40-hour workweek) OR $17.10/hour plus local housing (equivalent to $684 per 40-hour workweek), plus applicable overtime.

TO APPLY

Candidates who possess the above qualifications, or transferrable skills, are encouraged to apply. Please send a cover letter, resume, and references. Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2023.

By Email: jobsearch@shakespeare.org (include: Position Title and Name in subject line)

By Mail: Job Search/Riotous Youth Education Artist
Shakespeare & Company
70 Kemble Street
Lenox, MA 01240

By Fax: 413-637-4274