Teaching Artist

                                                                       STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY

For over 40 years, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has been a cultural leader in Chicago and model for theatre companies in the United States and around the world. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble represents a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors, stage managers and playwrights. Steppenwolf’s artistic ambitions are made possible by its incredible workforce of individuals, who help create a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and accountability. To that end, we attempt to use an anti-oppressive and anti-racist lens in our roles and everyday decision-making. Join us in this ongoing process, as we navigate, together, our complex world.

Steppenwolf Education + Engagement Mission:
Steppenwolf Education and Engagement celebrates the learner, maker and appreciator in each of us. Our programs use theatre as a catalyst to spark rebellious imagination, invite creative inquiry, and facilitate collaborative artmaking. We commit to centering youth agency and cultivating intergenerational learning environments that prioritize access and equity for all.

POSITION OVERVIEW: Teaching Artist (Part-Time, W-2)
This part-time W-2 role is part of the Steppenwolf Education Teaching Artist Cohort and is intended for experienced teaching artists dedicated to creating arts education opportunities for Chicago teens. Centering youth agency, ensemble ethos, and Aesthetic Education pedagogy – Steppenwolf Teaching Artists use theatre as a catalyst to spark rebellious imagination, invite creative inquiry, and inspire bold artmaking in the classroom.

Teaching Artists (TAs) are essential members of both the Education team and the wider Steppenwolf community. In this role, TAs will:

• Facilitate theatre workshops for CPS students as part of Steppenwolf Education residency programs (“SYA Archives” Monologue & Scene Study Residencies, “Step Up” Theatre as Civic Practice Residencies, and Aesthetic Education Field Trip Residencies- custom designed pre and post workshops built around student matinee field trips to Steppenwolf mainstage productions)
• Participate in intensive professional development and collaborative curriculum design processes for all residencies
• Collaborate closely with CPS classroom teachers, fellow Teaching Artists, and Steppenwolf Education & Engagement staff to support the coordination, planning and implementation of residency programs

TAs may serve as Co-TAs or Lead TAs each with different facilitation rates based on experience level and time spent teaching with Steppenwolf.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

IN  THE  CLASSROOM (Facilitation Pay Rate):

• Facilitate roughly 2-6 residencies per semester at various CPS partner schools – depending on both TA and classroom teacher availability.
• Guide students through lesson plan content keeping line of inquiry & learning objectives in mind, while always adapting scaffolding, schedule, goals, engagement pathways & accessibility supports to the specific learning needs of each classroom and student.
• Center Joy & Community, Ensemble Ethos, Youth Agency and Step Ed Core Values (Creative Inquiry, Rebellious Imagination & Bold Artmaking) in the classroom. Stay connected to your own intrinsic motivation and passion for theatre artistry and teaching so that you can share that inspiration with students.
• Lead TAs: Facilitate 90% of lesson plan content, with the other 10% shared with either the classroom teacher partner or occasionally with an Emerging/Assistant TA mentee (Lead TAs are also responsible for mentoring Emerging/Assistant TAs paired with them and offering feedback/support as they work toward their teaching goals)
• Co-TAs: Facilitate 50% of lesson plan content in residency workshops, with their Co TA partner facilitating the other 50% and occasional facilitation support from the classroom teacher partner.
• Bring all necessary workshop supplies (provided by Steppenwolf) to and from schools, arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time of each workshop session to get settled and prepped, and stay roughly 10 minutes afterward for a brief check in with your teaching team.

OUTSIDE  OF  THE  CLASSROOM (Training/Prep Rate):

• Attend all Step Ed TA cohort educator retreats, meetings, trainings, curriculum jams and professional development sessions with a mindset of open collaboration and punctual/prepared participation.
• Manage time wisely and attempt to prioritize Step Ed commitments – communicate any schedule conflicts with the Associate Director of Education as much in advance as possible.
• Read and deeply engage with all materials for curriculum jams, PDs, trainings and workshops including but not limited to: curriculum summaries and structures, lesson plan details, contextual materials, and (for Aesthetic Education Field Trip Residencies) read the mainstage plays in advance of the curriculum design trainings, explore the design and dramaturgy, and see the mainstage productions in advance of teaching the respective residency workshops.
• Occasionally work on Teaching Artist curriculum design teams to create activities or lesson plans for specific residencies.
• Intentionally build relationships with classroom teacher partners at in-person professional development days and collaborate closely with them to adapt the Step Ed provided lesson plans and curriculum to meet the needs of their specific classroom and students.
• Schedule and attend an additional virtual prep meeting with each classroom teacher partner and teaching team in advance of a residency starting to confirm lesson plans, fill out pre assessments, and set educator goals for the year.
• Edit lesson plans to reflect changes for specific classrooms and to assign facilitation breakdown of sections and send plans to the teaching team in advance of each workshop session.
• Complete all workshop assessment and residency assessments and post surveys within a week of finishing the workshop or residency.
• Record working hours in Paycom on a bi-weekly basis, keep track of gas mileage for reimbursement for transportation to schools, and respond to emails/action items from the Associate Director of Education in a timely and responsible manner throughout the year.
• Engage in a variety of other Step Ed TA opportunities such as staff celebrations, feedback sessions, additional PDs, play readings, opening nights, gatherings, etc.
• Adhere to Steppenwolf Youth Safety Policy at all times
• Keep up to date on CPS background check and fingerprinting documentation, Mandatory Reporter Training, Steppenwolf Traliant Trainings, etc.

Qualifications:

• Passionate Intergenerational Learning & Youth Agency Mindset: Steppenwolf Teaching Artists continue to train throughout their time on the cohort. The ideal candidate will be invested in growing their Teaching Artistry practice and leaned in to the process of continually developing their arts education skills. They will also hold the belief that young people have a right to agency, consent, safety & reciprocity in education spaces and that learning is intergenerational/omnidirectional – that students have just as much to teach us as we have to teach them.
• Arts Education & Facilitation Experience: At least 6 years of experience working with young people, students, teachers, community members, etc. on artistic and theatrical skills in an educational setting. Specific experience working with teens is a benefit.
• Strong Communication & Collaboration Skills:  The ability to communicate transparently and effectively within a teaching partnership and the larger Step Ed Team. Desire to be part of a highly collaborative team that works hard, takes care of each other well, values joy & community, and always honors the humanity of both the students and the educators they work with. Step Ed fosters a conflict affirming environment where generative feedback, good faith critique, and open accountability is welcome and celebrated.
• Cultural Competency:  A commitment to principles and practices of anti-racism and anti- oppression and the ability to interact effectively and empathetically with people of different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. Additionally, a desire to continue  to expand tools for trauma-informed practices in the classroom.

Compensation:
Steppenwolf Teaching Artists are paid at a prep rate of $20/hr for all trainings and tasks accomplished outside of the classroom and a facilitation rate of $70-80/hour for Co-TAs and $85-95/hr for Lead TAs for hours spent actively facilitating residency workshops.

TAs are responsible for commuting to/from their assigned residency schools and will be provided with gas mileage or CTA reimbursement. TAs are reimbursed for mileage at the federal  rate of $0.70/mile for driving or $2.50 each direction for CTA rides to/from schools for workshops and prep meetings.

Steppenwolf provides all printed materials, art supplies, workshop supplies and curriculum/lesson plan structures – TAs are never expected to purchase or provide any materials themselves.

TAs have access to Steppenwolf Part-Time Employee Benefits including 401k, Dental & Vision Insurance, and mental health support lines.

SCHEDULE:
The main training and facilitation months for Steppenwolf Teaching Artists throughout the school year are:

• Late August – Late November (occasional December workshops)
• Late January – Late May (occasional June workshops)

TAs would need space in their schedule to work AT LEAST roughly two full school days or three half school days a week with Steppenwolf for residency workshops during these spans of dates.

TAs also work occasional curriculum design & prep hours during the summer months if available.

About Steppenwolf:

Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season, Steppenwolf Theatre Company has been a cultural leader in Chicago and model for theatre companies in the United States and around the world. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble represents a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors, playwrights and stage managers. Steppenwolf’s artistic ambitions are made possible by its incredible workforce of individuals, who help create a culture of inclusivity, collaboration and accountability. To that end, we attempt to use an anti-oppressive and anti-racist lens in our roles and everyday decision-making. Join us in this ongoing process, as we navigate, together, our complex world.

Steppenwolf’s Mission:
Steppenwolf strives to create thrilling, courageous and provocative art in a thoughtful and inclusive environment. We succeed when we disrupt your routine with experiences that spark curiosity, empathy and joy. We invite you to join our ensemble as we navigate, together, our complex world. steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr.