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Department: Artistic/ Education and Engagement

Reports to: Education Staff

Classification:

Contracted September – November

Contact Hours – Average School Residency is 2 days/week, 1 hour/each day for 10 weeks

Additional Non-Contact Hours Expected

Summary:

ACT Theatre seeks to grow its current roster of teaching artists for the Young Playwrights Program. Ideal candidates for this work are established teaching artists focused on playwriting, drama, and/or creative writing, with experience teaching in middle and high school communities. Successful YPP teaching artists are compassionate, highly organized, and flexible – with a sense of humor and passion for youth engagement in the arts. Teaching artists at ACT work in a variety of classroom environments, with students of varying levels of achievement and behavior. YPP teaching artists are able to assess and support students and facilitate connection between ACT Theatre and the school communities it serves. Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply!

Serving the next generation of compassionate, creative thinkers

Join us! Now entering its 18th year, ACT Theatre’s Young Playwrights Program consistently delivers outstanding arts education and enrichment opportunities to middle and high school students across King County. YPP pairs professional playwrights and theatre professionals with classroom teachers to engage middle and high school students in a 10-week intensive program that includes drama and improv exercises, creative writing prompts, and supportive feedback sessions. By the end of YPP, each student completes the first draft of an original, one-act play. YPP aligns with Washington State Learning Standards for the Arts, English Language Arts Learning Standards, and 21st Century Skills development. Additionally, YPP provides support to students as they develop a creative cohort in the classroom that values creative risk-taking, self-expression, and a sense of belonging.

Often school partners showcase finished YPP plays during in-school assemblies or evening presentations, performed and/or directed by peers. Other plays are selected for the Young Playwrights Festival at ACT Theatre each spring.

The majority of hiring and placements for YPP teaching artists happens in the summer and early fall, but inquiries are accepted throughout the year. School placement can vary depending on confirmed school partnerships each year.

Key Responsibilities:

YPP teaching artists support student learning and active participation in the Young Playwrights Program in the following ways:

Teach twice a week for 10 weeks in classrooms throughout Puget Sound, in accordance with the YPP curriculum and timeline
Co-Develop a culture of belonging in the classroom with students and the classroom teacher
Provide written and verbal feedback to students on their creative developments
Maintain compassionate, intentional relationships with classroom teachers and students
Facilitate YPP evaluation surveys for students during classroom time
Complete teaching artist surveys and other administrative requests from ACT Theatre as requested
Nominate student scripts for the Young Playwrights Festival and adjudicate plays
Support festival-bound young playwrights as appropriate
Attend teaching artist trainings
Provide feedback to improve YPP curriculum, program delivery, and organizational systems
Educational Background:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred. Degree in drama, theatre education, playwriting, and/or creative writing a plus.

Experience:

Minimum two years as a teaching artist-in-residence in middle and/or high school communities, with a focus on drama, playwriting, creative writing, or a combination of these
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to continued learning about the intersection of arts education, racial equity, inclusion, and social justice
A personal commitment to inclusivity and equity
Demonstrated experience as a playwright, a plus
Bilingual in English and another language, a plus
Ability to communicate via email and access google docs through own device
Ability to pass a background check in order to work in school communities
Ability to drive own vehicle is a plus, but not required
Curiosity for ACT Theatre’s programming is a plus
Compensation

Teaching artist rates for a full residency of 20 teaching hours begin at $85/student contact hour. This rate is inclusive of non-contact time, including preparation, review of student work, and also adjudicating scripts nominated to the Young Playwrights Festival.
Additional compensation is provided to teaching artists for training or meetings at ACT, at a rate of $20/hour.
Complimentary tickets to ACT Theatre mainstage productions.
Mileage reimbursement for travel outside of City of Seattle.
To Apply:
Please send the following via email to education@acttheatre.org

Cover Letter
A resume indicating significant teaching artist experience in theatre, playwriting, and/or creative writing
Names, phone numbers, and email addresses for three references, at least one of whom should be familiar with your teaching
Three – five page playwriting sample
One page or less describing your philosophy and approach to your teaching artist practice
NOTE: Please save all above materials as one PDF document and label FirstName.LastName– YPP Teaching Artist Application.

Please include in the email subject line: LastName, YPP Administrator Position

No phone calls, drop-ins, or physical mailings please.

APPLICANTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY BEFORE AUGUST 7.

All applications will be considered for the following school year.

ACT is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in all aspects of its programming and organization. Teaching artists who identify as a person of color or bilingual are especially encouraged to apply. Those selected for interviews for the 2019-2020 school year will be contacted in mid-August.

Opportunity Website

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EmploymentTeachingTeaching Artists