Manager of Theater Education and Community Engagement

Position: Manager of Theater Education & Community Engagement
Department: Education
Classification: Full-time, non-exempt
Compensation: $55,000 salary + benefits

OVERVIEW

Mission: Geffen Playhouse is a non-profit, professional theater dedicated to enriching the cultural life of Los Angeles through plays and educational programs that inform, entertain and inspire.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Statement: In recognition of the essential examination of systemic racism and injustices, we at the Geffen Playhouse commit to continued analysis and expansion of our own institutional practices in order to be part of the solution. Our vision for the Geffen is that people of all races, faiths, sexual orientations, abilities, genders and backgrounds find it an easily accessible and highly relevant source of art that reflects the dynamic human experience and galvanizes a more equitable and vibrant community. In adopting this statement, we are amplifying our strategic and ongoing commitment to improving and increasing the cultural diversity, equity and inclusion of our audiences, staff, artists, board and programming.

We are committed to the safety and health of our employees, visitors, and the public we serve. As such, Geffen is proud to have implemented a mandatory vaccination policy, requiring COVID-19 vaccination(s) for all employees, including contracted third-party staff, and new hires. In accordance with our mission, we firmly believe that vaccinating all employees is essential for our community’s safety and health. Should you have any questions regarding this, please speak with your recruiting contact directly. The Company understands and respects that a limited number of candidates may have medical or religious reasons for not receiving the vaccine. As such, we are asking those candidates who wish to request an exemption from being required to be vaccinated, submit a request for their exemption through Human Resources once hired.

POSITION SUMMARY

Geffen Playhouse seeks a theater professional to join the Education & Community Engagement department on a full-time basis. The Manager of Theater Education & Community Engagement, in collaboration with Education Staff, will play a key role in the successful implementation of Geffen Playhouse education and community engagement programs. The Manager of Theater Education & Community Engagement reports to the Director of Education & Community Engagement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Collaborates with Geffen Playhouse Education & Community Engagement team to design, coordinate, oversee, and implement programs and events at the Geffen Playhouse and various school and organization locations throughout Los Angeles.
Helps cultivate new relationships with community partners coming from historically excluded communities, while also serving as liaison to all education program team members and community group leaders.
Supports, facilitates and/or guides theater-making, scene building and/or monologue writing workshops for students or community groups; serving as a teaching artist as needed.
Supports communications and administrative tasks for multiple projects.
Coordinates, provides materials and supplies for, and supports teaching artist sessions at schools and organizations.
Conducts research, coordinates the building of lesson plans for Pre- & Post-Show workshops, writing workshops, and Cultivation & Community Events.
Attends weekly departmental meetings and professional development workshops designed to support enhanced methods of teaching, learning or engagement practices.
Performs other administrative duties as assigned.
Reports to the Director of Education & Community Engagement to support the design, coordination, and management of learning experiences in theater for all programs.
All programs and tasks to be conducted in person or virtually online in accordance with current California, LAUSD & Geffen Playhouse COVID-19 mandates and policies.

SKILLS & BACKGROUND

Passionate about empowering learners of all ages as playgoers, creators, critical thinkers, communicators, and community members.
Experience in the performing arts as an artist, arts administrator, or educator.
Knowledgeable about theater and the performing arts, including aspects of the artistic, historical, and cultural contexts.
Experience working with students, seniors or groups of diverse communities and cultures, including those historically excluded.
Experienced planner, facilitator and/or teaching artist of theater programs for people of all ages, abilities, or aspirations.
Exceptional organizational skills and initiative in executing time-sensitive projects, and attention to detail, in a fast-paced working environment.
Outstanding interpersonal, collaborative, written and verbal communication skills.
Dependable, responsive, prepared, and flexible.
Experience with and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion practices, initiatives, and program integrations.
Proficiency working with the Windows Suite of software (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe) and ability and willingness to learn new software systems.
Familiarity with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and local Los Angeles community organizations is a plus.

EDUCATION

B.A. or B.F.A. required
M.F.A. preferred

TIME & TRANSPORTATION

Must be able to commit to full-time, in-person work.
Must be available to coordinate and support events on some evenings and weekend days.
Must be willing to undergo fingerprinting and Live Scan background check.
Has own transportation to travel to and from school sites and organizations in various communities, including but not limited to: East Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Westchester, and the San Fernando Valley.

BENEFITS

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance: The Geffen covers the costs of HMO for health, and PPO for Dental and Vision. The option to “buy up” to PPO coverage and / or to add spouses, domestic partners, and children to their health policy.
Life Insurance: The Geffen provides all regular full-time employees with a $25,000 life insurance policy, at no cost to the employee.
Section 125 Flexible Spending Plan: The Geffen offers its regular full-time employees the opportunity to purchase additional benefit programs to off-set medical and dependent-care related expenses.
Retirement Plan: The Geffen has established a retirement plan commonly known as a code section 401 (k) profit sharing plan which is currently available after one year of service.
Geffen Playhouse aims to build a diverse and inclusive workplace, in which we strongly encourage non-conforming and historically excluded individuals to apply for any and all available positions.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please submit a cover letter that includes why you are interested in collaborating with the Education & Community Engagement team at Geffen Playhouse, highlighting your experience: as a Teaching Artist; in Arts Management; working with Community and not-for-profit organizations, and work resume with up to three professional references in .pdf format at www.geffenplayhouse.org/apply. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2023. No phone calls, please.

The Geffen Playhouse, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Geffen Playhouse provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Geffen Playhouse complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us via telephone at 310-208-6500 x148.