Drama Instructor

Drama Instructor

Under general supervision, responsible for developing, teaching and leading drama and theater activities for the Park District including organizing and directing local theater productions. Performs related duties as required.

Examples of duties:

• Plans and implements a course curriculum for the instruction of drama activities, including vocal training, improvisation, speech, dance, make-up and technical theater.
• Provides instruction and supervision for Park District patrons involved in drama and theater activities.
• Demonstrates proper techniques and skills for theater and drama activities.
• Adapts programs to reflect differing levels of participant skill development.
• Enforces and promotes safety guidelines for theater and drama activities.
• Develops, promotes and organizes drama groups, clubs, demonstrations and productions sponsored by the Park District.
• Collaborates with recreation staff or other Park District personnel on special projects, including day camp.
• Encourages creativity in participants.
• Communicates constructively with participants, parents, volunteers and the community.
• Consults with individuals and community groups to determine their recreation interests, needs and desires.
• Issues and maintains an inventory of props, costumes, play manuscripts and other materials used in drama programs.
• Works with Park District drama shop staff to design sets for community theater productions.
• Coordinates set and scenery installation, lighting and sound and other aspects of technical theater for local productions.
• May provide technical support for Theater on the Lake productions.
• Supervises unorganized play and enforces Park District rules and regulations at assigned locations.
• Attends workshops and in-service training seminars.
• Stays abreast of current methods, techniques and trends in the discipline.
• Judges at competitions and special events.
• Performs general administrative duties, including, but not limited to assisting in course registration, collection of fees, routine record keeping, promoting park programs with the community and the general maintenance of materials and equipment supplied for public use.

Minimum qualifications:

Training and experience:
An Associate of Arts Degree or completion of two full years of course work at an accredited college or university which included a minimum of 20 credit hours in Drama, Speech, or a closely related discipline, or graduation from High School or the equivalent (GED) and three full years of related drama instruction or performance experience in a recreation or entertainment environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge of drama, dance, speech and related theater principles and practices. Knowledge of technical theater principles and practices. Elementary knowledge of leisure and recreation theories and principles. Effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to organize and produce plays and related activities on a local level.

Benefits:
As a part-time Chicago Park District employee in a position covered by the District's Agreement with SEIU Local 73, eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• +$1.00/hour increase on 1/1/2027.
• 1 day of personal leave at the commencement of each quarter, accrued on a pro rata basis.
• 2 days of sick leave at the commencement of each quarter, accrued on a pro rata basis.
• After one year of employment, employees who work 1,040 hours or more in the previous year are typically eligible for between 7-10 workdays of paid vacation time annually, and additional time after first 5 years of employment.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave (upon meeting FMLA eligibility requirements).
• Pension plan through the Park Employees' and Retirement Board Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund, a system covered by the State of Illinois' Reciprocal Act.
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.
• Free Admission to most Chicago Museums.

Rate of pay: $26.63 per hour

Budgeted hours:
Budgeted up to 28 hours per week

SEIU Local 73 Career Service EEO:
Para-professional FLSA:
Non-Exempt