Voices Boston is hiring: Teaching Artist, Urban Improv in Boston

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Urban Improv School Residencies provides in-school, theater-based, Social-Emotional Learning education to six partner Boston Public Schools (schools are located primarily in Chinatown, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and Dorchester). The program serves every classroom from 4th grade to 8th grade at these partner schools.

Since Urban Improv’s launch in 1992, our team of teaching artists has developed a curriculum of interactive scenes and songs that provide the formal basis for this program. Our curriculum is organized into three 9-week units per school year, customized by grade level, and explores themes like community, friendship, fairness, self-esteem, family diversity, peer pressure, healthy relationships, racism, systemic oppression, bystander issues, sexism, gender identity/self-expression — and more.

POSITION OVERVIEW
This position requires passion for the creative youth development field and a desire to engage students through music, improv and applied theater. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in one or more performing arts disciplines (such as theater, dance or music). Educators with experience in one or more of the following are also encouraged to apply: performing arts, psychology, social-emotional learning, youth development (early/middle childhood and early adolescence) or similar fields. Applicants should reflect a diverse lived experience, value the principles of anti-racism and cultural competency, and understand the need for diversity, equity & inclusion. Training on the Urban Improv model and curriculum will be provided during the month of September prior to the start of programming. Program runs October to early June and requires approximately 18-22 hours a week.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as Performer, Facilitator, and Creative Collaborator for partner schools, community-based organizations, and community events.
• Serve as a community ambassador, representing RFL to support the organization's goals.
• Collaborate with fellow Teaching Artists, Program Head and RFL Creative Directors on tools for student engagement, community building and topical scene development.
• Assist with marketing and fundraising efforts through collection multimedia and documentation of stories from the classroom.
• Maintain and organize Urban Improv program supplies. Ensuring rehearsal space rules are followed and assisting with setup/clean up of program & rehearsal spaces.
• Regularly checking and efficiently responding to email and other modes of communication for program and organization updates and information.
• Communicating regularly with program and organization leadership about program accomplishments, needs, challenges and opportunities.
• Attend/participate in development/community events.

WORK EXPECTATIONS
All Rehearsal for Life employees are expected to be:

• On time and ready for work at the beginning of their workday;
• Careful and conscientious in the performance of their work;
• Respectful and considerate of others;
• Courteous and helpful when dealing with other staff members and with youth, supporters, and the general public.

Due to the collaborative nature of the Urban Improv model, Teaching Artists are expected to:

• Have an awareness and acceptance of respectful feedback around work attitudes and their impact on others, contribution and commitment to group norm decisions, an acceptance of thoughtful performance evaluation, and an understanding of teamwork as a leading communal philosophy.
• Actively participate in all aspects of ensemble work including but not limited to: rehearsals, acting in scenes, singing, facilitating small-group student scenes, activities, and professional/organizational development training or discussions.

Applicants must have reliable transportation to commute to and from schools around Boston.

QUALIFICATIONS
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Strong alignment with the Rehearsal for Life mission, vision, and values.
• Commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• 1+ years of service as a teaching artist or educator in a school/youth organization setting.
• Ability to sing is desirable, willingness to sing is required.
• Ability to actively engage in applied theater, devising, and performance.
• Proficiency or fluency in a second language is desirable, but not required.

How To Apply:
Please send a brief cover letter and resume to jobs@rehearsalforlife.org. Include in the subject line: [Your Name] - Urban Improv Teaching Artist.

Apply by:
August 16, 2024

About this Organization:
Rehearsal for Life, Inc. (formerly Urban Improv/Freelance Players) is an organization that uses theatre to promote social change through our two primary programs: Urban Improv and Freelance Players. Our mission is to strengthen young people’s social and emotional skills for every stage in life, through dialogue, creativity, and performance. Rehearsal for Life’s Urban Improv program is grounded in social justice, serving school communities through structured improvisational theatre workshops that provide a brave space for young people to practice self-expression, empathy, and intersectional dialogue that promotes anti-racism, equity, and inclusion. We believe that our organization can best serve our partner communities through representation on our staff that is multilingual, multicultural, and diverse.

For more information, please visit www.rehearsalforlife.org

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