Teaching Artists – Los Angeles (Part-Time & Seasonal)

Compensation

$75 hr

Summary

TheaterWorksUSA (TWUSA) creates exceptional, transformative theatrical experiences that are accessible to young and family audiences in diverse communities throughout New York City and North America. Since 1961 we have been a trailblazer in the not-for-profit theater industry with our repertoire of 141 literature–and history–based plays and musicals playing a leading role in the rise of theater for young audiences as an art form. We are proud to say that 100 million children, educators, and families have joined us at the theater to enjoy titles ranging from classics like CHARLOTTE’S WEB and FREEDOM TRAIN to contemporary favorites like DOGMAN: THE MUSICAL and THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL.

TheaterWorksUSA is seeking candidates for our roster of part-time/seasonal Teaching Artists to support the development of TWUSA’s arts education programs and partnerships across the Greater Los Angeles Area and beyond.

TWUSA Teaching Artists serve in classrooms, after-school settings, and summer programs and work collaboratively with TWUSA education staff to implement theater programs for young people in a variety of learning environments. Most TheaterWorksUSA programs occur in a multi-week delivery and are repeated each semester. Schedules for Teaching Artists may consist of one class a week to multiple classes a week that are assigned each semester. One day workshops and week-long intensives are also occasionally offered.

The successful candidate(s) will:

• Introduce students to the fundamentals of storytelling and collaborative theater-making through a variety of theater exercises and activities.
• Build structured learning environments that encourage young people to express themselves creatively, collaborate with peers, and practice positive communication and self-reflection.
• Teach activities designed to enhance students’ creativity, theater awareness, storytelling comprehension, and social-emotional development.
• Teach theatre vocabulary, history, and awareness in an age-appropriate way.
• Work collaboratively with TWUSA Education staff and classroom teachers on curriculum, lesson planning, and class reflections.
• Comfortable leading a group of young people in playmaking, improvisation games, movement and vocal exercises, and other theatre-related exercises and ensemble activities.
• Teach in-person classes at a variety of locations which include traveling to school districts, including LAUSD, within the Greater Los Angeles Area.
• Liaise with TWUSA Education staff and school/site staff.
• Submit daily class reports.

Experience and Skills:

• Commitment to an equitable and inclusive community.
• Skills in musical theatre, puppetry, and/or dance.
• Teaching Artist or classroom experience (elementary and/or middle school preferred)
• Training and professional experience in theater arts
• Strong classroom management skills
• Experience working with diverse populations and a range of ages
• Commitment to open and honest communication and in possession of strong emotional intelligence.
• Ability to build positive working relationships in a constructive and professional manner.
• Knowledge, interest, and passion for theater for young and family audiences and working with young people.

Preferred but not required:

• Knowledge of or experience working within the Los Angeles Department of Education
• Knowledge of or experience working within the Los Angeles Unified School District
• Experience working with students with learning disabilities
• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Experience developing theater arts curriculum and/or lesson plans

Compensation and Location:

Part-time/seasonal. $75/hourly (per teaching hour).

Various teaching locations across the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Application Instructions:

Submit your resume and statement with the subject line “Teaching Artists Los Angeles” to jobs@twusa.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until these positions are filled.

Please submit a resume and a statement that speaks to what excites you about taking on this role, as well as your approach to equity, diversity, and inclusion. EDI is an important part of TWUSA’s mission, and we ask you to share the ways that you imagine bringing a commitment to EDI to your work. No “cover letters” necessary. While we ask that resumes be submitted in written form as a PDF, we invite applicants to submit their statement via a written statement, audio or video recording – whatever form best supports your self-expression.

TheaterWorksUSA serves a diverse, nationwide audience and we strive to build a staff, board, and programming that reflects the diversity of that audience. We strongly encourage candidates from communities that have been historically underrepresented in theater for young audiences to apply.

TheaterWorksUSA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employee. TheaterWorksUSA will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender (including gender-identity), disability ), predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, marital status, partnership status, citizenship status, caregiver status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, victims of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, and previous conviction of criminal offenses, unless directly related to employment or would involve an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public; any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. TheaterWorksUSA makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time. TheaterWorksUSA complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application or interview process or perform essential job functions, please contact us.