Teaching Artist

Job Description

Company Description Play In A Book is a Chicago-based publisher dedicated to improving literacy among young readers through the use of drama and storytelling. The organization combines theatre techniques with engaging texts to help children connect more deeply with reading. By integrating performance and education, Play In A Book creates interactive learning experiences that support diverse learning styles. Teaching Artists collaborate closely with the team to bring these innovative literacy programs to schools, community organizations, and other educational settings in the Chicago area.

Role Description This part-time Teaching Artist role is a hybrid position based on the Southside of Chicago, with a mix of in-person programming and work-from-home preparation. The position starts with 4 - 6 hours per week and may build to up to 12-hours per week over the course of the school year.

Day-to-day responsibilities include planning and leading drama-infused literacy workshops, lessons, and activities for young readers in schools and community environments. The Teaching Artist facilitates age-appropriate, culturally responsive learning experiences, adapts materials for different skill levels, and supports students’ engagement and confidence with literacy. The role also involves collaborating with program staff, providing feedback on curriculum and materials, maintaining clear communication with partner sites, and completing administrative tasks such as documentation and session reports. Some time will be spent remotely preparing lesson plans and reviewing scripts or texts.

Qualifications

·     Degree in theatre or related area of performance (voice, dance, etc.)

·     Strong classroom management skills

·     Commitment to serving all children with respect and kindness

·     Strong degree of professionalism including answering emails, texts and phone calls promptly and keeping teaching logs up to date.

·     Understanding that we are guests in a classroom/school and knowing how a guest should behave

·     Reliable transportation, cellular service, and internet access

·     Comfortable working with all ages, from baby to middle school

·     Comfortable working with children of all ages who are differently abled

·     Understanding of child development and how children become readers and the challenges they face

·     Strong performance ability demonstrated by holding a captive student audience during read-a-louds

·     Ability to physicalize text through movement and gesture

·     Cold reading ability

·     Strong directing ability including helping students improve acting through immediate feedback, blocking, and putting up a show with minimal technical input

·     Comfort level with singing in the classroom

·     Comfort level with drawing in the classroom

·     General knowledge of literature and writing conventions

·     Understanding of arts integration (particularly the connection between drama and literacy)

·     Ability to articulate the main goals of PIAB activities and how they connect to literacy

·     Comfort level with Word, Power Point, Excel, and Google Classroom

·     Organization ability

·     Punctual

·     Innovative