Website Chicago Children's Theatre
Chicago Children’s Theatre is seeking a diverse pool of candidates that have a passion for working with children and their families and who will encourage the diversity of perspectives and experiences. Candidates with arts education experience will be prioritized for this position. The hired candidate will be supported by the Education Team at Chicago Children’s Theatre who are experienced with our curriculum building, lesson planning, and programming.
About Chicago Children’s Theatre
Since its launch in 2005, Chicago Children’s Theatre has cemented its reputation as the city’s largest professional theatre company devoted exclusively to children and families. The company evolved out of Chicago’s need for high-quality, professional year-round children’s programming to match the quality and significance of theatrical powerhouses such as Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, and Lookingglass Theatre. Likewise, CCT has always believed children should be treated as the sophisticated audiences that they are, showcasing high-profile and award-winning talent, inventive production values and compelling stories that challenge, educate, and entertain.
Education Programming Vision
The Education Department of Chicago Children’s Theatre aims to empower the next generation of performers, innovators, and collaborators. Through theatre education, we not only foster students’ artistic skills, but develop confident voices, encourage open-mindedness, and build community. Our programs are led by experienced teaching artists who are passionate about championing young people’s stories regardless of background. Our programs emphasize student authorship, youth empowerment, and community leadership.
Summer Job Summary
Chicago Children’s Theatre summer residency provides high quality, theatre arts education and enrichment opportunities that support students in their creative process through devising, while developing their social and critical thinking skills. Our summer lab residency in partnership with UChicago Lab Schools in Hyde Park ranges from K-5th. We are seeking teaching artists for grades K-2 who are able to travel to Hyde Park. Teaching Artists will implement lesson plans based on the CCT curriculum and will work with our partner school and their students in-person for summer 2023.
Ideal candidates will have prior experience in teaching within the arts education field for programs with grades K-2 and/or Early Childhood Education.
Below is the list of normal job duties, but it is not exhaustive.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Arrive at residency location punctually and fully prepared
- Attend CCT trainings and lesson planning meetings
- Attend UChicago training and onsite prep dates
- Create age appropriate lesson plans in line with camp theme
- Create thoughtful weekly newsletter for families
- Document and report any and all incidents to CCT staff immediately after the incident.
- Experience with devising theatre and storytelling.
- Ensure that CCT’s mission, values, guidelines, policies and procedures are implemented and maintained when working with peers, partnering schools and students.
- Manage and track program activities such as class attendance
- Plan and establish a safe learning environment for all participants. Adhere to all classroom guidelines, safety, and emergency procedures as outlined by CCT.
- Provide detailed communication with CCT Education Staff in a timely manner.
- Provide excellent classroom management and structure for supporting students’ development.
- Support students in learning and engaging in activities that include a diverse and inclusive range of storytelling and concepts.
- Travel to Hyde Park area
Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, & Activities:
- Ability to pass a background check in accordance with state and federal laws.
- Ability to travel to the summer camp site in Hyde Park and bring program supplies as needed.
- Ability to work independently and with a wide range of internal & external personalities in a professional & congenial manner.
- A dedication to access, inclusion, and anti-racism.
- A passion for working with children and supporting their interest in the arts as well as their overall development.
- Ability to use theatre techniques and exercises to help students develop empathy and broaden their understanding of each other and the world around them, empowering them with valuable tools that can be applied throughout their lives.
- Consistent attendance at planning meetings and required trainings.
- Enthusiasm for working in a collaborative artistic environment with artists, educators, and children.
- Excellent communication, problem solving and organizational skills.
- Experience in devising theatre.
- Morning and daytime availability, Monday-Friday
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
Must pass a background check upon employment offer.
Working Environment:
Residencies can take place in a traditional or conventional classroom space. Position may include occasional lifting (up to 50 lbs individually), carrying, pushing &/or pulling, climbing & balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching &/or crawling. We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to accessibility and inclusion for all staff, students, and patrons, and priority will not be given to those with the ability to perform the physical tasks listed.
Please send a link to a brief video-recorded statement of interest (emphasizing any previous arts education &/or childcare experience) and resume to jobs@chicagochildrenstheatre.org. In your statement please address the following:
1. Introduce yourself with your name and pronouns, and why you would like to teach with CCT this summer.
2. What areas within the arts do you have experience teaching (i.e. acting, improv, design, etc.)?
3. What grades/age groups do you have experience teaching?
4. What experiences do you have working with residencies (in-school and/or after-school programs), where you have to travel to different schools?
5. What experiences do you have working summer camps?
6. What experiences have you had devising theatre?
No calls please. The position is immediately available for hire.
Chicago Children’s Theatre is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice in our organization and our community, and thus we seek a broad spectrum of employees. We strongly encourage and welcome applicants who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color, as well as those who are from other underrepresented communities. AA/EOE
Chicago Children’s Theatre is strongly committed to increasing equity, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and recruiting of board members. CCT is committed to a future where our theatre is a home for all people, all families, and is truly reflective of our community. We are also committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. CCT prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.