Cleveland Public Theatre is hiring a unique full-time summer seasonal position: Program Director/Creator

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) produces groundbreaking performances and life-changing education programs inside our mission to raise consciousness and nurture compassion. CPT seeks a collaborative theatre artist to fill a unique two-month position with CPT’s nationally-recognized education program, Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP). For more information about STEP, visit www.cptonline.org or www.cptonline.org/education/student-theatre-enrichment-program.

Program Description

CPT’s Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) is an arts-based job training program that engages Cleveland teens in a powerful, 8-week intensive that focuses on excellence in performance, play creation, physical theatre, writing, production, and set design/construction. Students ages 14-19, with little or no previous performance experience, are eligible for participation and earn money while learning and practicing valuable job skills such as timeliness, communication, commitment, and teamwork. Under the guidance of CPT artists, teens develop an original play and then tour it to public parks throughout the city of Cleveland. Since its beginning in 1995, STEP has received multiple awards and recognitions, including those from the City of Cleveland, The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts. STEP is the longest-running arts-based, job-training program in Cleveland and has been utilized as an international model for engaging youth. STEP ensembles, comprised primarily of Black artists, see themselves as a positive and inspirational force and are able to witness their work’s invaluable impact on the larger Cleveland community.

Description of Position

The Program Director/Creator reports to CPT’s Education Director. This position is an 8 to 10-week intensive, full-time staff position, including evenings and weekends. Pay $650 – $800/week based on experience and position.

The Program Director/Creator is responsible for leading the creation of an original play, with a cast of Cleveland teens with little or no theatre experience. This work is done with a team of Teaching Artists, typically a full-time Co-Director or Co-Playwright, a full-time Lead Teaching Artist, and 2-3 part-time Teaching artists with specific skills such as dance, percussion, and acting coaching. The play is performed outdoors in neighborhoods throughout Cleveland in an 8-12 show run.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

This position requires extraordinary theatre-making, adaptability, professionalism, grace-under-pressure, imagination, overall strength in play production, and the ability to lead script writing and blocking. We are seeking a devising/ensemble-based director with strong leadership skills and a passion for working with teens. Experience in devising theatre is critical, as is a depth of experience working with Black youth and families who encounter manifestations of poverty and oppression daily. The successful candidate will be collaborative and eager to learn and lead. The successful candidate possesses excellent organizational skills and a passion to create warm, exciting, and empowering community experiences for our program’s participants.

The Creator/Director’s responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Teaching the basics of acting and performance to teen participants who have no previous theatre experience
  • Creating curriculum and supporting other artists in class planning
  • Developing original performance material
  • Collaborating with and leading a team of professional artists of various disciplines
  • Working with STEP instructors in all areas of program and play development, including script writing, participant evaluation, and management of participants
  • Acting as a strong role model for youth
  • Special consideration for ability to tour and manage two weeks of live performances

Schedule

  • STEP runs 8 weeks, 4-6 days per week, June-August 2021, job begins onsite June 7 and concludes as early as Aug 9 and as late as Aug 15.
  • Youth are onsite approximately 6 hours a day during creation, and more while on tour. The job requires extended hours, typically in the past as many as 60-70 hours a week.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS April 20, 2021

To Apply:
Interested candidates should email a two-page cover letter of interest, a résumé, and references to: 

Ca*****@cp*******.org











 Subject header should read: [LAST NAME], STEP Program Director/Creator

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