CPT is seeking temporary, full-time Supporting Teaching Artists (CMHA CAN) and a Teaching Assistant (CAN Academy) to assist in implementing CPT Education summer 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 (currently paused due to community 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. 

SKILLS REQUIRED 

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

• Experience teaching children and/or teenagers 

• Takes initiative in learning environments and has strong classroom engagement skills 

• 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, actively engaging with youth as they build storytelling skills (incorporating body, voice, and ensemble) and community 

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

• CMHA CAN youth present one community performance at the end of the summer session during the last week of programming. 

• Attending training and/or meetings with EDU programming 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 9am–5pm Monday–Thursday and 10am–4pm Fridays.  

• CMHA CAN summer programming will take place from June 16–July 25, 2025. 

• Training for the CMHA CAN team will take place June 9–13, 2025. Hours for this week are from 9am–5pm. 

• The CMHA CAN team would support sessions in three CMHA communities. 

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

• Completing other duties that relate to the CMHA CAN programs as determined by Teaching Artists & Site Coordinators (recruitment/promotion, communication, record keeping) and/or Director of Education 

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

TEACHING ASSISTANT, CAN ACADEMY — JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Mentoring students through scene creation and production process 

• Arranging snacks for students 

• Prepping and coordinating materials needed for the day 

• Modeling positively contributing participation in the room  

• Successfully support CAN Teaching Artist & Site Coordinator and CAN Academy Teaching Artist in implementing CAN Academy curriculum during which youth will build storytelling skills (incorporating body, voice, and ensemble work) and community. 

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

• Attending meetings with CAN Academy team and/or Director of Education to share outline highlights, session progress, questions, and challenges of program implementation 

• Other duties that relate to the CAN Academy program as determined by CAN Academy Teaching Artist & Site Coordinator and/or Director of Education 

• CAN Academy team hours are typically Monday through Thursday from 12–6pm at CPT, with some exceptions on show, training, and post-programming days. Friday hours are from 10am–2pm. 

• CAN Academy summer programming will be held from June 9–August 8, 2025. 

• Training for the CAN Academy team will take place June 3–6, 2025. Hours for this week are 9am–5pm. 

• This position pays $15/hr.  

We are looking to fill these positions as soon as possible. We will accept submissions until the roles are filled. 

CMHA CAN Supporting Teaching Artist candidates, please send a resume and letter of interest to Cassandra Miller, CMHA CAN Teaching Artist and Site Coordinator at cmiller@cptonline.org. 

CAN Academy Teaching Assistant candidates, please send a resume and letter of interest to Zyrece Montgomery, CAN Academy Teaching Artist and Site Coordinator at zmontgomery@cptonline.org.  

ALL CANDIDATES: In your email, the subject line should be your last name followed by “CMHA CAN TEACHING ARTIST,” “CAN Academy 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.