Do you love working with kids? Are you thinking about a career in education? We are looking for School Residency Teaching Artists to join our team this school year.
GREAT Theatre’s Residency Program is designed for fifth graders to participate in a musical-in-a-week as part of their school day. GREAT teaching artists work with students Monday-Thursday during the school day leading theatre exercises, auditions, and rehearsals, with a performance on Friday for the school and families. As a teaching artist you are responsible for creating a fun and nurturing learning environment that engages students in the process of putting on a show. You’ll be responsible for planning and implementing daily lesson plans, teaching, and directing youth in a production-in-a-week, with a focus on the process of creating live theatre, developing skills and building community. In this role you live out GREAT’s mission of building life skills through quality arts education, ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all, and eliciting joy, empathy and self-discovery through live theatre experiences.
Full job description, including how to apply, is below. If you have questions about this position please email Emily, Education Manager, at [email protected].
Position Title: Teaching Artist
Status: non-exempt / seasonal part-time
Compensation: $18-20/hour stipend
Hours: Mon-Fri, 15-20 hrs/week between 8:00am-3:00pm
Example schedule from previous year:
Monday-Thursday: auditions & rehearsals from 11:00am-2:00pm
Friday: performance day from 9:00am-3:00pm
Dates: 3-10 weeks throughout the 26/27 school year, October 2026-April 2027
Location: area school districts
Reports to: Education Manager
Application: To apply, please email [email protected] the following information:
a. a written introduction of yourself and how you’re qualified for the position along with work history
b. OR an attached cover letter and resume
About GREAT Theatre’s Residency Program
GREAT Theatre’s Residency Program is designed for fifth graders to participate in a capstone project as part of their school day and learning curriculum in their final year of elementary school. Following the show-in-a-week model, GREAT teaching artists work with students Monday-Thursday leading theatre exercises, auditions, and rehearsals. Through this activity they are learning the art of theatre as well as life skills such as collaboration and leadership while building empathy and confidence. During the school day on Friday, students perform their show on-site for their classmates, families and greater community. Since this program takes place at school it eliminates the barriers for students to participate. The residency program is distinctive and deepens the arts learning experience for students in that it not only provides the opportunity for every fifth grade student in the school to be part of a collaborative production but also builds community and support for the arts.
Position Summary
As a teaching artist you are responsible for creating a fun and nurturing learning environment that engages students in the process of putting on a show. You’ll be responsible for planning and implementing daily lesson plans, teaching, and directing youth in a production-in-a-week, with a focus on the process of creating live theatre, developing skills and building community.
In this role you live out GREAT’s mission of building life skills through quality arts education, ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all, and eliciting joy, empathy and self-discovery through live theatre experiences.
Job Functions
As aTeaching Artist, you’ll get to
As a Teaching Artist, you’ll get to
- Inspire youth to create, play, and develop confidence and a sense of community through theatre arts
- Collaborate and co-teach weekly residencies of 60-120 fifth graders of all backgrounds and abilities throughout area school districts.
- Implement and adapt daily activities and lessons based on provided theatre curriculum
- Direct students through the process of creating a final performance for classmates, families and the greater community.
- Establish a welcoming learning environment where students feel a sense of agency and belonging
- Develop positive relationships to allow effective communication with youth and adults
- Manage and maintain school spaces following all facility and safety guidelines
This might be the job for you if
- You have worked with youth in formal and/or informal settings
- You have initiative and motivation to learn
- You enjoy working in a team environment and collaborating with kids and adults
- You are committed to fostering youth development and growth through educational arts
- You are passionate about equity and creating an environment that meets the needs of all children
- You are flexible and thrive in an environment that is different each day and may occasionally be described as “organized chaos”
Desirable Skills (bonus but not required)
- Formal or informal experience working with youth from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of learning styles and abilities
- Experience in theatre: theatre, storytelling, or movement/dance
Job Requirements
- Candidates must be at least 18, per GREAT’s Youth Safeguarding Policy.
- Candidates must pass a state of Minnesota background check.
- The position will require providing your own transportation to local schools within the St. Cloud area.
About GREAT Theatre
Great River Educational Arts Theatre (GREAT), is a non-profit community theatre in Waite Park, MN (60 miles north of Minneapolis) that enriches lives by bringing people together to build lasting connections through theatrical storytelling that challenges, educates, entertains, and inspires. Through dynamic on-stage programming that consists of producing 7 full-scale shows featuring local talent, multiple production collaborations, and innovative off-stage educational outreach throughout Central Minnesota, we invite people to be part of the story to build a more vibrant community, celebrate differences, and create a sense of belonging for everyone. By reaching nearly 50,000 people each year, GREAT brings our community together through the transformative power of the arts.
GREAT is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds. We aspire to create a team that represents the diversity of our community while creating a space that encourages and embraces inclusiveness, equal opportunity, and respect. Additionally, we are committed to anti-racism through ongoing and consistent action, moving with urgency while identifying both immediate and long-term strategic actions, both as individuals and collectively as an organization.
Questions
If you have any questions about the job or process for hiring please reach out to Emily Johnson, Education Manager, [email protected], 320.258.2787. Learn more about GREAT Theatre at greattheatre.org .
Job Types: Contract, Seasonal
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
