Job Details

Teaching Artists

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre, and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to 40 American cities. Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them with work year-round. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.

Rob Melrose, Artistic Director at the Alley, took over as artistic leader of the organization in 2019. His vision for the future of the Alley is both thrilling and ambitious. His strategic goals include upholding the Alley's artistic excellence, keeping longtime Alley Theatre devotees eager to return each season, and creating productions and cultivating new audiences.

Rob Melrose and Incoming Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein along with Alley's leadership team are committed to fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic selves.

A Teaching Artist is a practicing professional artist with the complementary skills, curiosities, and sensibilities of an educator, who can effectively engage a wide range of people in learning experiences in, though, and about the arts. -Eric Booth (considered to be the father of the Teaching Artist profession.)

Applied Theatre at the Alley (Education and Community Engagement) is a national driving force for innovative arts education. We pioneer arts integration, cultivate the next generation of theatre artists, and foster community discourse. Alley Theatre Teaching Artists are working theatre professionals with noteworthy experience in the classroom - particular in a K-12 environment. Skilled in a variety of disciplines, ECE's TAs reflect the excellence and variety of the Alley Theatre and Houston.

Job Duties

• Implement Alley-branded curricula through in-person and virtual workshops/residencies, both inside schools and at the Alley Theatre, solo or as part of a team.
• Collaborate with ECE staff to create, refine, and implement curricula based upon ongoing assessment of classroom efficacy.
• Maintain a safe, well-managed learning environment with clear expectations of students.
• Work closely with partners to achieve goals and learning outcomes.
• Proactively communicate with Program Managers regarding scheduling and other needs.
• Attend mandatory trainings and demonstrate an openness to coaching and feedback.
• Represent the Alley in a professional and informed manner.

In addition to the duties listed above, the Alley Theatre expects the following of each employee: adheres to theatre's policies and procedures; works in a safe manner; performs duties as workload necessitates; maintains a positive and respectful attitude; communicates regularly with supervisor about department issues; demonstrates efficient time management and prioritizes workload; demonstrates regular and consistent attendance and punctuality; meets department productivity standards; participates in Alley Theatre events as needed or required; and completes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS (SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE)

• Bachelor's degree in Theatre or Theatre Education, or comparable training and professional experience.
• Exceptional skills and/or lived experience in some of the following areas:
  • Acting - including improvisation, classical, and physical theatre.
  • Writing - including playwriting, personal narrative, and poetry.
  • Integration of Theatre Arts with other core subjects, and/or social-emotional learning practices.
  • Working in public K-12 schools.
  • Working with students from a variety of cultures and socio-economic backgrounds; including low socio-economic status and incarcerated teens in secure facilities.
  • Working with English language learners and/or students with special needs.
• Conversational Spanish or Spanish Fluency a plus
• Ability to work a varied, part-time schedule year-round as needed.
• Strong classroom management skills rooted in positive behavior reinforcements.
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Exhibits a positive attitude with good communication and interpersonal skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Reliable transportation and the ability to travel to schools throughout greater Houston.
• Ability to lift and move 25 lbs.
• Typical hours are during the school day, including early mornings but the position requires the flexibility to be available for weekends, holidays, and evening work hours as needed.

Benefits and Perks

• Free and discounted tickets to Alley Theatre performances
• Bi-weekly $4 discounted parking

Alley Theatre is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at HRdept@alleytheatre.org.

The Alley Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.