JOB SUMMARY

Dramatic Arts faculty educate their students in different acting styles, methods, and techniques. Teaching Dramatic Arts means training pupils in how to prepare, communicate,  and develop for collaborative performance. The responsibilities of a Dramatic Arts educator may include creating lesson plans, teaching students about plays, the acting process and the history of drama, assisting students in creating their own dramatic pieces, organizing and managing the learning environment, directing performance rehearsals, helping to assemble and manage lighting and sets, assessing students' performance, and being an Artistic mentor to our Dramatic Arts Department students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the department chair to develop the content of performance-related classes in the department, including acting, movement, voice and diction, dance, singing, live & film acting, including heightened language performance, contemporary straight acting, and musical theatre performance.
• Teach approximately 18-25 classroom hours per week in areas of specialization, including at least one section of acting.
• Direct 1- 2 main stage performances, as well as oversee the production of several studio performances each school year.
• Participate in the selection of all main stage plays, acting projects, and audition materials undertaken by the department and Dramatic Arts students.
• Organize auditioning placement for main stage performances and class placement.
• Cultivate and oversee guest artists.
• Coach students as needed for college auditions and summer program preparation.
• Support the seniors' participation in the Chicago Unified Auditions
• Advise students and complete ancillary duties as assigned by student services.
• Attend faculty meetings, department meetings, and production meetings.
• Assist the admission staff in the auditioning and interviewing of prospective students.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience:

Leadership Qualities

• Respects the guidelines and goals of the Dramatic Arts Department.
• Expands on the Scope and Sequence to include cultural study in addition to acquiring language skills.
• Serves as a mentor to other Dramatic Arts Department Faculty.
• Works effectively and collaborates well with teams, while at the same time works independently and generates innovative curriculum.
• Able to diplomatically solve problems and work with different constituencies.
• Understands an arts boarding school community: participates and leads social and cultural events, and acts as an enthusiastic supporter of school events.
• Sensitive to cultural, gender, and economic diversity.

Personal Qualities

• Nurtures an Artist’s Voice–their own and others
• Acts as a model of integrity
• Understands and maintains professional boundaries between students and teachers
• Respects confidentiality
• Has a sense of humor and keeps things in perspective
• Exercises patience and good listening skills
• Is flexible and has the ability to work under pressure
• Keeps a positive attitude

Minimum Qualifications / Educational Experience

• Candidate must have an MA, MFA, or PhD in Acting/theatre performance or directing; and/or a BFA in Acting/Directing with a demonstrated record of successful teaching and related administrative experience, a minimum of 3-5 years teaching at the high school or college level.
• Professional experience in acting or directing is desired. Commitment to equity and inclusiveness and/or ability to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to campus is desired.
• Experience living in a boarding community or experience with leading, instructing, and working with youths

Other Requirements

• Ability and desire to work within the Idyllwild community, Riverside County, or commute a reasonable distance, that does not impede on-time arrival during winter months.  
• Obtain and maintain a valid California Driver License, pass a criminal history background check as required by California Education Code Section 44237, and pass a TB questionnaire/test.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENTS 

While performing the duties of this position, an incumbent may be required to: 

• Regularly remain sedentary for long periods of time in meetings and while processing information and paperwork both manually and on a computer. 
• Reach with the hands and arms and use of hands to finger, type, and manipulate a computer keyboard and mouse. 
• Additionally, the incumbent must be able to converse in clear English both written and orally, over the telephone and in person. 
• Be able to make public presentations. 
• Occasionally, the incumbent may be required to lift up to 25 pounds, traverse uneven terrain and climb stairs while moving about campus, bend and stoop, conduct tours and show visitors campus facilities. 
• Provide their transportation for local and remote events.
• Work hours vary and may include days, nights, and weekends. 

Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

About Idyllwild Arts Academy

Idyllwild Arts is a co-ed boarding and day school for 275 students in grades 9-12. The Summer Program, founded in 1950, is an eight-week program that brings more than nearly 2,000 children, teens, and adults to Idyllwild each summer. The Academy was established in1986 to extend the Summer Program's commitment to the arts through the only boarding high school for the arts on the west coast. The school has developed into an exceptional high school for pre-professional training in the arts combined with high academic standards and a residential life curriculum.Idyllwild graduates attend the top colleges and universities in the United States and abroad, and the very best conservatories and art schools, such as Julliard, Curtis, New England Conservatory of Music, and the Rhode Island School of Design. Many have established celebrated careers as artists. The arts disciplines include dance, music, visual arts, theatre, moving pictures and creative writing. Students may major in any one discipline or combine their interests in an interdisciplinary arts major.

Connections working at Idyllwild Arts Academy