Summer Teaching Artist

The application window for this position has an anticipated end date of 03/06/2026.

Company Overview

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is one of the largest non-profit theatre organizations in the nation, presenting Broadway tours and producing theatre, cabaret, musicals, and innovative, immersive experiences. Through these experiences and alongside our robust Education program, we engage hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The DCPA’s workforce includes more than 300 employed team members in non-union and union positions (in partnership with seven unions). In addition, we employ hundreds of artists and contractors annually. We have a strong volunteer program which includes more than 300 volunteers.

Our Mission: “We engage and inspire through the transformative power of live theatre.”

Culture Statement

For more than 40 years, creativity and community have been the foundation of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ success. As a leading cultural organization in the Rocky Mountain West, we are actively participating in a cultural evolution of belonging and anti-racism. Our commitment to reflect the diversity and priorities of our community — in our workplace, audience and programming — has never been more present.

We believe that the theater can transform us — and be transformed by us. We invite you to be part of our Team.

Job Purpose:

• Summer Part Time Theatre Teaching Artists work with the Education & Community Engagement team, Co-Faculty, Classroom Assistants, and department Directors to deliver high quality theatre education for children and teens, Kindergarten to high school.
• Positions range from lead classroom teachers to teachers delivering specialized focus classes across age groups.
• Summer programming runs Monday – Friday from June 15-July 31, 2026. The Monday-Friday summer workday is structured around the hours of 8:30 am – 4 pm. On each Monday, there is an all staff meeting from 7:45 – 8:30 am.
• Programs are offered in one-week and two-week durations. Teaching Artists will be hired per week based on need.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver theatre-based curriculum
  • Developing, implementing and facilitating theatre and musical theatre curriculum for students from Kindergarten to high school as part of our 6 week summer program. Classes include improv, acting, musical theatre, creative dramatics, choreography, ensemble building, character, clowning, Shakespeare
• Collaborate with Executive Director and Director of Education on class scope, curriculum development and content
• Classes include individual and collaborative teaching
• Modeling classroom instruction, management, and decorum as an empowering collaborative partner assigning roles and responsibilities for the Classroom Assistant
• Support full time staff and other Teaching Artists by working daily duties that include staffing student drop off and pick up and monitoring lunch and free play time

Qualifications

• B.A., B.F.A, M.A. or M.F.A, degree in theatre, musical theatre, theatre education, education, or similar or equal professional experience
• 3-5 years drama/theatre teaching experience required, including demonstrating proficiency in developing and teaching arts-integrated curriculum, teaching improvisation, articulating and teaching general theatre, craft of acting and specialty skills in master class settings. This position requires lesson plan deliverables in partnership with the Director of Education.
• Experience in a diversity of classrooms, settings, programs, and ages
• Experience working with pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle school, and high school students including devising and directing
• Excellent collaboration, speaking and communication skills

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but in some classroom settings can be loud.

Compensation

$24.50 per hour for approximately 38-40 hours per week during scheduled weeks.

Benefits

Sick time accruals

The DCPA does not require applicants to disclose age, date of birth or dates of attendance and/or graduation from an educational institution in their application for employment. Applicants may redact these and other applicable dates from their resume, transcript, and any other material that they submit as part of their application for employment.

In order to provide high quality, culturally competent care to our patrons, students, guests and team members, it is of highest importance that our hiring practices reflect our values by offering an environment that celebrates diversity and embraces inclusion. All of our team members – regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, language, abilities/disabilities, socioeconomic status, geographic region, or other defining characteristics – should feel welcome and valued.