Writers Theatre Education Apprentice

Position: Education Apprentice

Location: Glencoe, IL (Hybrid)

Department: Arts Engagement & Education

Time Commitment: February 5th-May 3rd, 12 hours per week minimum

Reports To: Associate Director of Arts Engagement & Associate Director of Education

Compensation: $40/hour for teaching and $15/hour for administrative work & prep

About Writers Theatre
Writers Theatre (WT) is a nationally-recognized, award-winning theatre company located on the North Shore of Chicago with a pre-pandemic annual operating budget of $5.7 Million. Known for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its productions, WT is focused on the power of the written word and dedicated to the artists who bring that word to life. Having captivated audiences for years with its commitment to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the theatre is now a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, the company is charting a path forward for its future.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

WT is deeply committed to creating and sustaining an organizational culture that values equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as promoting a safe, supportive, and collaborative work environment conducive to professional and personal growth. A successful candidate will share these values.

WT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, or veteran status.

Please find more information on our culture and specific policies at the following links:

• https://www.writerstheatre.org/working-at-wt
  • https://www.writerstheatre.org/our-code-of-conduct
• https://www.writerstheatre.org/edi-at-wt

Position Summary

Writers Theatre’s Education Apprentice position is designed for college students or young professionals seeking to gain practical experience in arts administration and teaching artistry. The Apprentice will work closely with the Associate Director of Education and Associate Director of Arts Engagement to develop curriculum, provide classroom instruction, carry out administrative tasks, and support our in-school residency programs, student matinee series, and onsite learning programs. This role is fully integrated into the daily operations at the Theatre and will have the opportunity to learn from other professionals employed at the Theatre. Department staff and the Apprentice will work together to set and track professional development goals. In addition to in-depth mentorship, the Apprentice can receive school credit and participate in professional development seminars. listing of educational programs, please visit www.writerstheatre.org/education or see below.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have some prior experience working with young people
• Have some prior experience working in the performing arts, professionally or non-professionally
• Have a strong collaborative spirit
• Be able to balance collaborative and independent projects
• Prioritize communication and organization

We want to acknowledge that experience comes in many forms. This position requires the skills listed here but they are not a prerequisite for employment. If your prior experience does not align with most or all of these qualifications but you have a passion for education, young people, and the arts, please do not hesitate to apply.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement curriculum for in-school residencies and onsite learning programs in collaboration with WT Education staff.
• Observe and co-teach in-school residencies.
• Assist in the coordination of in-school residencies.
• Support community engagement events as needed.
• Support day-of tasks for Student Matinee performances.
• Attend regular meetings with WT Education staff.
• Submit regular updates and reflections about classroom work.
• Maintain and organize contact databases.
• Attend professional development workshops, classroom observations, and occasional networking events.

Time Commitment & Pay

Hours will vary week to week depending on teaching schedules. A minimum of 12 hours per week. A schedule will be worked out between the Apprentice and the Arts Engagement & Education department upon hiring. Overall compensation for the position is estimated at $4,250 over the course of the 14 weeks.

Requirements

• Must have reliable transportation to Writers Theatre and various locations around Chicagoland (car, public transportation, or otherwise). Writers Theatre is easily accessible from the UP-N Metra.
• Must be in the office in Glencoe a minimum of one day a week. Some nights and weekends may be required.
• Must be available on select dates:
  • February 19th, 8:30am-3:30pm (Pop-Up Day Camp)
  • February 28th & March 14th, 9:30am-2pm (Student Matinees of The Band’s Visit)
  • March 25th – 29th, 8:30am-3:30pm (Spring Break Camp)

TO APPLY: Submit a resume plus a brief expression of interest (video, audio, or written, no more than 1 page or 3 minutes long) to WT Education at education@writerstheatre.org with the subject line “EDU APPRENTICE_LAST NAME.” Please include at least three things that you hope to gain from this experience and why you think Writers Theatre would be a good fit for your career goals. Applications are due Friday, December 8, 2023.

For assistance with creating a resume, see these resources:

• City Colleges of Chicago Resume Guide
• Resume Template

Writers Theatre Education Programs 

WT Education offers a variety of on-site and in-school residencies, camps, classes, and field trip opportunities for young people ages 3-18. Programs encourage collaboration and student-led cultivation of a range of creative and artistic practices. Several offerings promote literacy through arts-integrated learning practices. 

In-School Residencies 

The Novel Series 

THE NOVEL SERIES is a 10-session theatre and literary arts curriculum designed to allow students to explore literature and the artistry of bringing text to life. Students engage in a layered investigation of text and enter a rigorous artistic process that includes deep academic enrichment and meaningful text-to-self and text-to-world connections. Teaching Artists collaborate with classroom teachers to choose a book and create curriculum. Students work in small groups and rotate through CORNERS that focus on vocabulary, writing, and discussion through a theatre-based lens in addition to performance. The corner work is paired with whole- class sessions and culminates in a final presentation of student work. 

ACTIVATE Workshops

ACTIVATE is Writers Theatre's wraparound residency designed to deepen students' engagement with the art on our stages. ACTIVATE is designed to prepare for and extend students’ experiences at the theatre through participatory workshops. These pre- and post- workshops investigate contextual information and the major themes in the play working with Teaching Artists in conjunction with the school’s attendance at a Student Matinee on-site at Writers Theatre.

Write On!

Write On! pairs students and teachers with WT teaching artists to create customizable residencies in classrooms, after school programs, and community-based organizations. This highly tailored approach provides dynamic opportunities to explore theatre and text with a focus on creating transformative experiences and on encouraging young people to find their creative voices.

Onsite Learning Programs 

Student Matinee Series 

WT offers daytime performances for students on select weekdays. Most productions are suitable for grades 7th and up. Performances are followed by a talkback with the actors. A study guide is provided for each production and in-school pre- and post-show ACTIVATE workshops with a WT teaching artist are available.  

Pop-Up Day Camps 

Day-long camps (9am-3pm) that occur on select school holidays and days of non-attendance. Young people ages 8-12 are invited to WT for an imaginative day of artmaking and a backstage tour of the theatre

Spring Break & Summer Camp   

Designed to encourage young artists to develop their unique voice, our full-day camps pair hands-on, creative exploration of theatre performance, devising, and design with expert educators in our world-class facility. Each camp ends with a final showcase of the campers’ work.

Wake Up Words Family Playtime 

The arts come alive at 11am on select Sundays at Writers Theatre. In each free 60-minute session, we pair a story with a different art form for a short performance and follow it with a hands-on activity for the whole family. Activities are designed with ages 3-7 in mind, but all are welcome, including those under 3 years old.   

Family Matinee Series 

Going to the theatre just got a little bit easier for parents and caregivers. With our Family Matinee Series, you can catch a Saturday matinee while your young ones engage in active creative play with WT Education’s professional teaching artists at an on-site class.  Select Saturdays at 3pm. Ages 5-12. 

https://www.writerstheatre.org/work-with-us