Teaching Artist

Job Description

DEPARTMENT: Education

REPORTS TO: Director of Education

PAY: $25 -$75/hr depending on type of work; Part-time; Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

BENEFITS INCLUDE: Access to participate in a 403(b) retirement plan, complimentary and discounted tickets, institutional professional development opportunities, access to free parking and other perks.

LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is an in-person position reporting to our administrative offices located at 91 University Place in Princeton, NJ, with requirements to be on-site at McCarter or in local schools and community centers during mutually agreed-upon schedules that vary by program.

START DATE: These roles will be filled as needed during the season as staffing needs change.

POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

McCarter Theatre Center is seeking dynamic, collaborative Teaching Artists to lead classes and workshops for students of all ages at McCarter, and throughout Princeton and surrounding communities. These part-time roles are ideal for theatre practitioners with a passion for arts education, community engagement, and inclusive teaching practices. If you’re interested in cultivating a vibrant and educational experience for our students, we’d love to hear from you!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS

Support the Education staff and Director of Education to ensure successful and safe programs (i.e. in-school residencies, after school programs, camps, and so forth).

Craft and submit engaging, active and age-appropriate lesson plans connected to the theme of the classes.

Partner with and support the Assistant Teaching Artist and Artist-in-Training staff assigned to classes.

Attend and contribute to training and planning meetings with Education staff.

Respond to email, phone and in-person correspondence in a timely manner.

Receive constructive feedback from Education staff and adjust lesson plans and facilitation as needed.

Engage in daily interaction with students, parents and caretakers.

Under the direction of the Education staff, understand, respectfully communicate and facilitate alignment with all program guidelines and policies as set forth by McCarter.

Foster a safe, welcoming and inclusive classroom environment for all students, adjusting and adapting lessons as needed based on individual student needs.

With calm and precision, execute appropriate emergency procedures should a situation arise.

Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter's safety and community expectations policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff, students, and others.

Participate in McCarter’s work to foster an equitable and inclusive workplace where a diverse team of arts professionals collaborate to advance its charitable mission; actively contribute to making the arts welcoming and accessible to all; and reflect McCarter’s values of “justice and joy, beauty and belonging.”

QUALIFICATIONS

Possess a positive, energetic and inclusive attitude, while exhibiting behavior that makes all campers and staff feel safe and welcome.

Previous teaching experience with K-12th grade students and adults.

Skilled at crafting theater-focused lesson plans.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering positive working relationships with colleagues and other collaborators.

Proven ability to set priorities, work collaboratively, and take initiative, functioning independently as needed.

A cooperative mindset, with the ability to work harmoniously with individuals from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and work styles, always approaching challenges with optimism, civility, and a solutions-oriented approach.

This position requires a valid background check prior to start and may be subject to periodic re-screening. Teaching Artists working with youth are expected to comply with New Jersey mandated reporting requirements related to child welfare and safety.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

CPR/AED/First-Aid Certification.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, or other languages.

Experience working with neurodiverse learners and students with varying access needs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Led by our core values, McCarter fosters and expects a culture of care and respect for the wellbeing of our staff.

Work will be completed in a variety of spaces and rooms, subject to HVAC cooling and heating, both here at McCarter and at other locations in the greater community. There is possibility for some work to be done outside, as well.

This position entails extended periods of standing while moving and engaging in physical activity (e.g. 4-5 hour intervals), manual dexterity for occasionally operating office equipment, and the ability to read and interpret documents, while sporadically requiring lifting and carrying objects up to 10 pounds (e.g. acting cubes and other minor scenic elements), engaging in repetitive tasks, sitting, walking, bending, and reaching within the office and classroom environment.

Position may be asked to use personal transportation in order to travel to offsite program locations.

Employees may be asked to use a personal cell phone in order to access authenticator apps and related software necessary for work credentials/multi-factor authentication (MFA). Applicants should be comfortable using their personal devices for these purposes as part of their job responsibilities, as workarounds cannot be guaranteed in order to access certain platforms.

This job posting and position description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of McCarter.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

McCarter is one of the country's flagship theatres, a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts, and a key cultural anchor for Central New Jersey. Located on the campus of Princeton University and incorporated as an independent, charitable nonprofit, the company is a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages.

A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. A home for new play development and world premieres, the company has launched numerous works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world.

Among the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 7,500 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust arts-in-education offerings. The company offers more than 20 annual in-school residencies in classrooms in Princeton and Trenton, hosts schools from throughout the region for student matinee performances, and offers need-based scholarships to every one of its dozens of educational after-school and summer programs each year. Co-led by Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and Executive Director Martin Miller, McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.

TO APPLY

Please visit our Career Center page to apply for this position. Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. We welcome any additional context you would like to share about your experience and interest in this role. We look forward to learning more about you and what you’d bring to this position!

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT

McCarter is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring, supporting, and promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. As such, McCarter seeks team members who: contribute to a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to support an expansive artistic vision; are committed to engaging in ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression work collectively and individually; value collaboration, curiosity, flexibility, and an openness to continuous personal and professional growth.

We encourage all candidates to apply, even if they do not currently meet all the qualifications. We know there are great candidates who may not have all the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other fully transferable skills. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. McCarter is committed to on-the-job training and mentorship. We also encourage candidates who do not live within commuting distance to apply; we are eager to tell you about the area, which includes many vibrant communities and towns outside of Princeton.

McCarter Theatre Center is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in the application and hiring process for individuals with disabilities if needed and requested. To request disability accommodation, please contact and connect with Human Resources or email .

Part-time