Walnut Hill School
Design & Production Teacher/Designer
Walnut Hill School, Natick, Massachusetts, us, 01760
Walnut Hill School for the Arts seeks a Design and Production Teacher/Designer to join the Theater Department and the Productions & Events team for the 2024-2025 academic year starting in mid-August. The primary responsibilities include teaching all levels of design and production classes, overseeing theater student crew assignments, and designing scenery and/or lighting for multiple productions across various departments, along with providing technical and design support for special events and assemblies. Additionally, this position works as a part of the Production & Events Department staff executing the technical needs of all productions and events throughout the school.
This position also supports other members of the Production Staff with scenery, props, audio, lighting, and costumes, as well as scenic painting and stage management. The ideal candidate is creative, has a broad range of technical and design skills, and can provide innovative technical solutions.
This is a full-time 10-month position reporting to the Director of Theater and the Director of Production & Events. All Walnut Hill faculty and staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field.
Schedule:
This is a full-time position during the school year. Regular hours are Monday - Friday, with design and technical element work taking place in the mornings and/or during events, and teaching responsibilities in the afternoons. This position also requires work on some nights and weekends.
Teaching & Design Responsibilities:
Teach 3 sections of Production and Design in the Theater Department; utilize best practices in teaching within the specific discipline;Prepare lessons and develop curriculum that reflects the diverse educational and cultural backgrounds of the student body; teach, lead, and guide students and promote an open and safe classroom space;Design scenery and lighting for various departments and the Community Academy oversee and assign student crew positions, and lead the painting of scenery, while securing and maintaining props and furniture;Collaborate closely with the Director of Production & Events on daily operations and with the Technical Director on planning and scheduling, ensuring that designs and technical elements align with production needs and budgets;Manage the technical aspects of assemblies and special events, and support the production staff in executing designs and technical elements;Utilize the learning management system (LMS) to facilitate communication across the school community; take and record attendance, and maintain Class Pages for each academic class; maintain grades, comments, and progress reports as required and as needed;Keep records of correspondence with parents, progress of advisees, records of teaching practice and student work and utilize the LMS appropriately to communicate student issues; andUtilize technology and other educational tools to support student learning.Collaboration & Community Engagement
Support the Student Life program including serving as a student advisor, club advisor, chaperoning school events, weekend duty (4 x per year), and/or participating in other opportunities for community involvement that arise throughout the School year;Participate in the School’s restorative practices; actively learn about and practice anti-racist work;Work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments to foster a positive working and educational environment that supports the School’s mission, vision, and core values;Attend and participate in all department meetings, assemblies, Professional Development days, training and orientation programs, benefit meetings, mandatory seminars, team-building exercises, and safety trainings;Attend and/or engage in student arts productions, shows, exhibitions, and performances; andPursue professional development opportunities in and out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection.Skills & Qualifications
BFA with a concentration in Scenic and Lighting Design or equivalent experience required, MFA preferred;Teaching experience for introductory design and production classes, including innovative teaching practices, skills-centered learning, and in-person and online curriculum development;Experience in scenic and lighting design for full-scale productions and artistic events in various disciplines, including proficiency in design software (e.g., Vectorworks, AutoCad or other architectural design software);Experience with ETC lighting consoles, moving lights, as well as LED lighting fixtures, DMX protocol, and ethernet networking;Basic knowledge of audio equipment including digital consoles and wireless microphones;Knowledge of scenic painting techniques and managing painting assignments;Experience designing or gathering props for productions;Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor student crews at all positions to establish rapport, motivate students, mentor student crews, and foster an inclusive community, especially with diverse populations;Excellent communication and cultural competency, with the ability to effectively engage and motivate adolescents from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, and ethnic backgrounds;Strong collaborative and communication skills and the ability to work alongside a dedicated staff to serve the needs of all department events;Comfort with technology and willingness to adopt new technologies as needed; strong computer skills and proficiency with Google platform and Microsoft Office Suite;Ability to work within budgets and plan accordingly; andShare an educational and artistic vision that aligns with the core principles of Walnut Hill.
About us:
Walnut Hill School for the Arts, located in Natick, Massachusetts and 20 minutes from Boston, is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience designed for student artists in grades 9–post graduate. Walnut Hill combines a comprehensive college-preparatory academic curriculum with intensive, pre-professional artistic training in theater, dance, music, visual art, and writing, film & media arts. Walnut Hill is committed to creating and enhancing an inclusive environment, and welcoming and celebrating a wide range of cultural, artistic, and educational backgrounds that compliments and supports our diverse community.
Commitment to the School’s Core Values, of Community, Growth, Excellence, Creativity, and Respect are imperative to the success of all Walnut Hill faculty, staff, and administration members. All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events, supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.
Physical Demands
Physical demands include dexterity for department specific tools and equipment, and office machine and supply operation including but not limited to: writing, typing, using electronic devices, computer, phone, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, and printers. Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time, stoop, bend, reach, push, pull, lift up to 50 lbs., climb stairs and ladders required.
Salary:
Faculty salaries are based on the School's salary scale, education, and relevant experience.
To Apply:
Submit resume and cover letter through the Walnut Hill School for the Arts online Career Center.
Note: All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of state and federal background checks. Walnut Hill does not provide visa sponsorship.
This position also supports other members of the Production Staff with scenery, props, audio, lighting, and costumes, as well as scenic painting and stage management. The ideal candidate is creative, has a broad range of technical and design skills, and can provide innovative technical solutions.
This is a full-time 10-month position reporting to the Director of Theater and the Director of Production & Events. All Walnut Hill faculty and staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field.
Schedule:
This is a full-time position during the school year. Regular hours are Monday - Friday, with design and technical element work taking place in the mornings and/or during events, and teaching responsibilities in the afternoons. This position also requires work on some nights and weekends.
Teaching & Design Responsibilities:
Teach 3 sections of Production and Design in the Theater Department; utilize best practices in teaching within the specific discipline;Prepare lessons and develop curriculum that reflects the diverse educational and cultural backgrounds of the student body; teach, lead, and guide students and promote an open and safe classroom space;Design scenery and lighting for various departments and the Community Academy oversee and assign student crew positions, and lead the painting of scenery, while securing and maintaining props and furniture;Collaborate closely with the Director of Production & Events on daily operations and with the Technical Director on planning and scheduling, ensuring that designs and technical elements align with production needs and budgets;Manage the technical aspects of assemblies and special events, and support the production staff in executing designs and technical elements;Utilize the learning management system (LMS) to facilitate communication across the school community; take and record attendance, and maintain Class Pages for each academic class; maintain grades, comments, and progress reports as required and as needed;Keep records of correspondence with parents, progress of advisees, records of teaching practice and student work and utilize the LMS appropriately to communicate student issues; andUtilize technology and other educational tools to support student learning.Collaboration & Community Engagement
Support the Student Life program including serving as a student advisor, club advisor, chaperoning school events, weekend duty (4 x per year), and/or participating in other opportunities for community involvement that arise throughout the School year;Participate in the School’s restorative practices; actively learn about and practice anti-racist work;Work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments to foster a positive working and educational environment that supports the School’s mission, vision, and core values;Attend and participate in all department meetings, assemblies, Professional Development days, training and orientation programs, benefit meetings, mandatory seminars, team-building exercises, and safety trainings;Attend and/or engage in student arts productions, shows, exhibitions, and performances; andPursue professional development opportunities in and out of school; display willingness and ability to grow, learn, explore new approaches, and practice self-reflection.Skills & Qualifications
BFA with a concentration in Scenic and Lighting Design or equivalent experience required, MFA preferred;Teaching experience for introductory design and production classes, including innovative teaching practices, skills-centered learning, and in-person and online curriculum development;Experience in scenic and lighting design for full-scale productions and artistic events in various disciplines, including proficiency in design software (e.g., Vectorworks, AutoCad or other architectural design software);Experience with ETC lighting consoles, moving lights, as well as LED lighting fixtures, DMX protocol, and ethernet networking;Basic knowledge of audio equipment including digital consoles and wireless microphones;Knowledge of scenic painting techniques and managing painting assignments;Experience designing or gathering props for productions;Demonstrated ability to manage and mentor student crews at all positions to establish rapport, motivate students, mentor student crews, and foster an inclusive community, especially with diverse populations;Excellent communication and cultural competency, with the ability to effectively engage and motivate adolescents from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, and ethnic backgrounds;Strong collaborative and communication skills and the ability to work alongside a dedicated staff to serve the needs of all department events;Comfort with technology and willingness to adopt new technologies as needed; strong computer skills and proficiency with Google platform and Microsoft Office Suite;Ability to work within budgets and plan accordingly; andShare an educational and artistic vision that aligns with the core principles of Walnut Hill.
About us:
Walnut Hill School for the Arts, located in Natick, Massachusetts and 20 minutes from Boston, is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience designed for student artists in grades 9–post graduate. Walnut Hill combines a comprehensive college-preparatory academic curriculum with intensive, pre-professional artistic training in theater, dance, music, visual art, and writing, film & media arts. Walnut Hill is committed to creating and enhancing an inclusive environment, and welcoming and celebrating a wide range of cultural, artistic, and educational backgrounds that compliments and supports our diverse community.
Commitment to the School’s Core Values, of Community, Growth, Excellence, Creativity, and Respect are imperative to the success of all Walnut Hill faculty, staff, and administration members. All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events, supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.
Physical Demands
Physical demands include dexterity for department specific tools and equipment, and office machine and supply operation including but not limited to: writing, typing, using electronic devices, computer, phone, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, and printers. Ability to stand and sit for long periods of time, stoop, bend, reach, push, pull, lift up to 50 lbs., climb stairs and ladders required.
Salary:
Faculty salaries are based on the School's salary scale, education, and relevant experience.
To Apply:
Submit resume and cover letter through the Walnut Hill School for the Arts online Career Center.
Note: All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of state and federal background checks. Walnut Hill does not provide visa sponsorship.