Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) produces groundbreaking performances and life-changing educational programs inside of our mission to raise consciousness and nurture compassion. CPT seeks an Education Director interested in joining its hard-working team with the ambitious goals of growing the organization and changing the community.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) produces groundbreaking performances and life-changing educational programs inside of our mission to raise consciousness and nurture compassion. CPT seeks an Education Director interested in joining its hard-working team with the ambitious goals of growing the organization and changing the community.
The position requires a highly motivated servant-leader to: oversee two long-standing core education programs: STEP, a job-training summer theatre creation program for low-income youth and Y-Haven Theatre, which creates new plays with homeless men in treatment for drug and alcohol abuse; support the director of Brick City Theatre Brick City Theatre, an after-school/summer-school program with youth and families residing in public housing. The ED oversees and is typically involved in other education programs that might be shorter-term or new, and works to develop new programs and explore new avenues for growth. Currently CPT has four full time year-round employees in the education department and plans to add two new full time positions to accommodate growth and new programs.
A strong background in theatre is a must. CPT education programs use ensemble devising techniques in all of its long-term programs. Experience in ensemble and/or devised theatre is important for the Education Director as is a passion for theatre that is fits CPT’s bold aesthetic (non-mainstream). CPT programs primarily engage with underserved, underprivileged youth and adults, and the Education Director needs to be well suited for engaging in such communities. Experience in producing theatre is beneficial but not necessary. Ideal candidates will have experience in program management, curriculum planning, and teaching or administration.
Past Education Directors have served as core artists at CPT creating original work, directing plays, and performing and we are especially interested in candidates who are working artists of high caliber.
All positions at CPT work across departmental lines and the ED becomes involved in nearly all aspects of the theatre. The Education Department is very involved in all organization-wide activities such as Station Hope, a neighborhood festival focusing on the triumphs of the Underground Railroad and challenges of current issues of inequity and social justice. As part of the senior leadership team the ED helps shape the future of the theatre.
The successful candidate will be collaborative, eager to learn and lead, and have strong experience in administration, education, and performance. Ideal candidates will have five years of experience in program management, curriculum planning, and teaching or administration. Candidate must possess excellent logistics skills, and have the creativity to create warm, exciting, empowering community experiences for our programs’ participants and families. Because of our track record of success we are particularly interested in candidates who are eager to support current programs and ultimately move into evolving new programs. CPT is open to artist-administrators and when appropriate supports the professional artistic work of its education staff.
CPT cares passionately about reflecting our community and pursuing diversity at all levels of the organization. CPT has a demanding working environment with long, intense hours, but we have fun and love what we do. We value hard work, kindness, generosity, passion, and grace-under-pressure. For applicants considering relocation to Cleveland: our city is an excellent community to live in, with top-notch arts and culture, a vibrant theatre scene, beautiful public parks, a great lake, and VERY affordable housing.
ABOUT CPT’s core Education programs:
STUDENT THEATRE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM (STEP)
Arts education and job training for teens, who create and perform an original play that is toured to public parks across Cleveland. The program serves 30-50 youth annually and has been historically managed by the Education Director. Currently CPT has a succession plan for this program with the Education Coordinator moving into leading this program. STEP engages 4-7 full time employees for the summer months.
Y-HAVEN THEATRE PROJECT
A theatre program for residents of Y-Haven, a transitional facility for homeless men in recovery. The men learn performance and technical theatre skills and create an original play based on their life experiences. The play performs at CPT and tours to about 5-8 local venues. The program is typically managed by 1-2 education full time staff members (Director, Associate, or Coordinator) and/or 1-2 outside contractors who function as co-creator, co-directors, and/or tour manager.
Brick City Theatre
A partnership with Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority that offers afterschool and summer theatre arts activities for children 5-14 who live in public housing through year-round programs. In the 15-16 season CPT will serve 400 children at two CMHA estates. We are currently working to radically expand this program in the next two years, potentially tripling the number of sites and overall programming. Brick City Theatre is primarily run by the Education Manager, who will continue to lead this program with support from the Education Director.
Deadline to Apply is May 15th.
Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. To apply for the position, send email to careers@cptonline.org. Subject line should read: [LAST NAME], Education Director. The email should include two attachments: a resume, and a cover letter describing your history, passion, why you are interested in this position, and what you have to offer (up to two pages). Candidates may be asked to provide additional materials after original application.