Children's Theatre Teaching Artist
City of Palo Alto Palo Alto, California, United States
- Location: Palo Alto, California, United States
- Categories: Community and Economic Development
- Job Type: Part Time
- Posted: May 26, 2025
Job Description:
Children's Theatre Teaching Artist
Description
DescriptionAbout the Position:
Palo Alto Children’s Theatre seeks two teaching artists to support year-round education and theatre outreach efforts, both onsite at the Children’s Theatre and in PAUSD Elementary Schools. Duties of the two teaching artists will overlap, but each will have a specific area of focus.
The main focus of the On-Site Teaching Artist will be:
- Teaching weekly Joy of Singing Classes for 5-7 year old participants (a fun sing-along style class for young singers, with unison singing and lots of games) and Joy of Musical Theatre Classes for 8-10 year old participants (building on what is learned in the Joy of Singing, participants learn 4-5 songs from one musical, giving them an opportunity to experience what it is like to rehearse for a musical production). These classes will be taught onsite at the theatre and may also be taught onsite in local schools;
- Teaching (and self-accompanying) 1:1 vocal lessons for participants age 8 through high school;
- Teaching private and small group audition and scene study sessions;
- Scheduling, coordinating and leading school field trip tours of the Children’s Theatre. The tours include hands-on learning opportunities and theatre-games.
The main focus of the PAUSD Outreach Theatre Production Teaching Artist will be:
- Serving as an associate producer for onsite Palo Alto Unified School District Outreach Theatre Productions, including coordinating production needs with PAUSD staff and volunteers, Children's Theatre staff and production contractors;
- Supporting rehearsal needs for productions with large casts, including directing the ensemble, in coordination with the production's contract director;
- Creating/leading a curriculum of theatre learning activities and games and leading them for participants when they are not actively rehearsing the production;
- Teaching 1:1 Audition Coaching;
- (Highly desirable that this teaching artist will also teach (and self-accompanying) 1:1 vocal lessons for participants age 8 through high school).
Both teaching artists will be asked to lead other Children’s Theatre classes and camps, as needed.
Work Hours and Schedule
This is an hourly position with an average of 20 hours per week. Must have a flexible schedule and availability to work afternoons, evenings, and weekends for classes.
About Palo Alto Children’s Theatre: Palo Alto Children’s Theatre exists to nurture the intellectual, artistic, and personal development of youth through multi-arts education, performing opportunities, and extraordinary theatre experiences. At the Children's Theatre, the process and product are of equal importance in creating excellent theatre for young audiences. Through multi-arts education, the Children’s Theatre develops lifelong skills such as critical and creative thinking, cooperation, and aesthetic sensitivity. A theatre and an educational institution, the Children’s Theatre provides classes and programming designed to provide hands-on learning experiences for youth aged 3 through high school. This invaluable teaching tool develops skills and provides an excellent opportunity to develop participants’ theatrical knowledge. Performing arts education opportunities include onsite classes, camps and production experiences, as well as theatrical Outreach Productions (grades 3-5) and Dance In Schools classes (grades K-2) in all twelve PAUSD Elementary Schools.
Essential Duties
- Instruction and oversight of youth education participants in both classes and outreach productions;
- Coordination with theatre staff to keep updated administrative paperwork needed for classes and productions;
- Coordination with parents or schools, for scheduling classes and tours.
Minimum Qualifications
- Prior teaching artist experience required (Bachelor’s Degree or minimum 3 years working experience);
- Ability to create a curriculum for a new class or program;
- Experience working with elementary school educators and/or volunteers desired;
- Basic piano accompanist skills (for musical theatre educator required, for both educators desired);
- Special Requirements for Outreach position: p ossession of a valid California Driver's License.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:
- Applicants will receive email recruitment status notifications. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
- Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination process may consist of supplemental questions, online assessment, written examination, practical performance, oral examination, or any combination to determine which candidate will move forward in the hiring process.
- The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act ( ADA), the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both perspective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
City of Palo Alto offers the following benefits to those in a SEIU Hourly position:
Medical Stipend
$3.80 effective the pay period including July 1, 2024.
Sick Leave
Earn .03 hour of sick leave for each hour worked.
Retirement
City of Palo Alto PST (Part-time, Seasonal & Temporary Employees) Retirement Plan
Please note: The City does not participate in CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) or Social Security.
Closing Date/Time: 6/16/2025 11:59 PM Pacific