CPT is seeking part-time Supporting Teaching Artists (CMHA Cleveland Act Now program Supporting Teaching Artist and Substitute Teaching Artists for CAN programs and Y-Haven Theatre Project) to assist in implementing CPT Education programming. Theatre experience is a plus. We are looking to build a strong core of artists who are dedicated to creating work to further racial and economic justice.

CMHA CLEVELAND ACT NOW 

CMHA Cleveland Act Now (CAN) takes place in partnership with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) at community centers for children and families who live in public housing. Under the guidance of CPT Teaching Artists, young artists learn how to create and perform their own plays, dance, poetry, music, and visual art. These multidisciplinary performing arts activities improve academic skills, instill empathy and responsibility, build character, and enhance creative thinking. The students regularly perform at CMHA community centers as well as arts festivals throughout Cleveland. CMHA CAN is offered in four CMHA communities: Lakeview Terrace, Woodhill Homes (paused for renovations), Outhwaite Homes, and Riverside Park.

CLEVELAND ACT NOW ACADEMY (CAN ACADEMY) 

Cleveland Act Now (CAN) Academy is a free performing arts program for younger teens and youth from Cleveland and surrounding neighborhoods, held on-site at Cleveland Public Theatre. The Juniors program serves youth ages 7-10, and the Seniors program serves youth ages 11-14. Young artists engage in rigorous (and fun!) theatre training, learning acting fundamentals, script analysis, storytelling techniques, and play creation. 

Y-Haven Theatre Project 

Y-Haven Theatre Project is a program for residents of Y-Haven, a YMCA center providing temporary housing and Substance Use Disorder treatment to individuals who are homeless, re-entering the community from incarceration, and/or recovering from Opioid Use Disorder. The program teaches performing arts and technical aspects of theatre while addressing critical personal, interpersonal, and job-related skills through a comprehensive process. The program culminates in the performance and community-wide tour of an original play based on stories from the clients’ lives. 

SKILLS REQUIRED 

• Experience in at least one theatre-related arts discipline (dance, drumming, singing, acting, creative writing, etc.) 

• Experience teaching children and/or teenagers 

• Ability to travel to multiple sites (CMHA CAN) 

• Demonstrated ability to be or become a strong role model for Cleveland youth 

• Energy, responsiveness, flexibility, creativity 

• Attention to detail, ability to work independently 

• Openness to learning new techniques in the creation of original performance material 

SUPPORTING TEACHING ARTIST, CMHA CAN — JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Successfully supporting Teaching Artists & Site Coordinators in implementing CMHA CAN programming, actively engaging with youth as they build storytelling skills (incorporating body, voice, and ensemble) and community 

• Collaborating with CMHA CAN and CPT Staff from applicable departments to successfully present artistic work at assigned sites 

• CMHA CAN youth present one fully produced performance of original work in late February/March and present additional community performances throughout the year. 

• Attending training and/or meetings with CMHA CAN and/or CAN Academy teams and the Director of Education to share outline highlights, session progress, questions, and opportunities regarding program implementation (1-2 hours weekly) 

• CMHA CAN team hours are either scheduled from 3:30pm-5:30pm or 4:00pm-6:00pm 

• Each CMHA CAN team would support sessions in two CMHA communities. 

• CMHA CAN ensembles meet twice weekly; each CMHA CAN STA would support four sessions each week. 

• Completing other duties that relate to the CMHA CAN programs as determined by Teaching Artists & Site Coordinators (recruitment, communication, record keeping). 

• This position pays $16-18/hour, depending on experience 

SUBSTITUTE SUPPORTING TEACHING ARTIST — JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Successfully supporting CPT full-time EDU leadership staff in implementing CPT Education programming, actively engaging with youth and/or adults as they build storytelling skills (incorporating body, voice, and ensemble) and community 

• CAN Academy Juniors (M/W) and Seniors (T/TH) team hours are typically from 3:30-6:30 pm at Cleveland Public Theatre.

• CMHA CAN Outhwaite (M/W) and Lakeview (T/TH) team hours are typically from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm at Outhwaite Homes Community Center.

• CMHA CAN Riverside (M/W) team hours are typically from 4:00-6:00 pm at Riverside Park Community Center. 

• Y-Haven Theatre Project (M/W/F or M-F) team hours are typically from 1-4 pm, 3-7pm, or 7-10p at Cleveland Public Theatre. 

• Collaborating with partner organizations and/or CPT Staff from applicable departments to successfully present artistic work at assigned sites 

• Attending trainings and/or meetings with EDU teams to share outline highlights, session progress, questions, and opportunities regarding program implementation (avg. 1-2 hours weekly) 

• Completing other duties that relate to the CPT EDU programs as determined by full-time, ongoing CPT EDU staff (recruitment, communication, record keeping) 

• This position pays $22/hr. 

We are looking to fill these positions as soon as possible. Please send a resume and letter of interest to Brooke Okpala, Education Associate at bmyers@cptonline.org by end of day Wednesday, February 12, 2025. In your email, the subject line should be your last name followed by “CMHA CAN TEACHING ARTIST,” or “SUBSTITUTE TEACHING ARTIST.” No phone calls, please.

CPT’S CORE EDUCATION PRINCIPLES

CPT education programs follow four guiding principles that reflect our pedagogical, political, and aesthetic approaches to education, and are deeply interrelated. 

Empowerment: Together we create original works of theatre, and our participants contribute to the spoken words, the movement, and the production elements. This layered approach engages participants dynamically, resulting in pride and ownership of the final product. 

Equity: We strive to bridge the gap between the heard and the unheard by centering rarely shared stories with a wider audience. Our work brings awareness to issues such as racial and economic justice, nurturing relationships that cross the invisible boundaries of race and class. We believe representation matters, and we are committed to engaging Teaching Artists who are representative of the communities with whom we collaborate. 

Excellence: We encourage the development of the whole artist, nurturing an artist’s personal, interpersonal, and artistic growth. This environment of self-mastery calls participants to own their greatness with pride, be accountable to their peers, and be engaged, curious, and connected to their community. 

Enthusiasm: We approach the artistic process with openness, rigor, intention, and joy! Our programs cultivate an enthusiastic learning environment that supports creative expression while nurturing a high degree of discipline and focus. We encourage our participants’ creativity, and we also challenge them to explore as many levels of their creative potential as possible.