The Hickory Community Theatre, located in Hickory, North Carolina, is now recruiting for a full-time Education Director. The following information describes the organization, the community and the expectations of the position.
About Our Theatre
Our Values
- Inclusion: we welcome everyone regardless of what you look like, where you are from, how much you have, your ideology or whom you love.
- Respect: we are committed to being accepting, considerate, attentive, encouraging and appreciative of every person who comes through our doors.
- Discovery: We revel in the marvel and the wonder of human truths revealed, for the artists and the audience, through the art of live theatre.
- Collaboration: We believe that the inherent value of individuals working together toward a collective vision creates something powerful that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
We believe that theatre changes lives like nothing else can.
Our Mission To produce quality live shows, foster creative expression, and engage diverse community members in the art of theatre.
Our Artistic Vision Live theatre that entertains, enlightens, inspires and unites our community.
Our History The Hickory Community Theatre began in 1948 when the Hickory Recreation Department employed the late Kay Johnson to form a theatre group and informal meetings among a group of local actors led to the formation of what was then known as The Hickory Little Theatre. The first full-length production, You Can’t Take It With You was presented in October 1949. This kicked off the Theatre’s first full season of three plays, including Dear Ruth, a production that started what would become a cornerstone of the Theatre’s artistic vision, which is to present the newest published works as soon as they are available for community theatre production, a practice that continues today. In 1986, when the American Association of Community Theatres (AACT) was formed, the Hickory Community Theatre was one of its charter members. When AACT held its first NewPlayFest, HCT was one of the first companies to present one of the selected plays.
Our Space From the beginning, the Theatre has had its home in the City of Hickory Municipal Building, first as a guest company in the city auditorium and eventually as the building’s sole occupant since 1988. The building has three performance spaces, a 325-seat “Broadway style” proscenium with a full fly loft and orchestra pit, a flexible staging cabaret space and a black box. All of these had new lighting and sound equipment installed in 2013. There is also a spectacular lobby and a green room with six individual dressing rooms.
About Our Community
The Hickory Metro area is home to over 365,000 people, nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, between Charlotte and Asheville. Hickory is crafting a strong, vibrant future with opportunities for growth and economic development and a solid quality of life. From furniture capital to fiber optic center, natural wonder to fine arts splendor, recreational heaven to entertainment haven, small town values to big city drive, the people of Hickory have crafted a living and a life that’s rich in both tradition and promise. This includes a strong commitment to the arts. The United Arts Council supports the Hickory Choral Society, the Hickory Museum of Art and the Western Piedmont Symphony, as well as the Hickory Community Theatre. In recent years, the City has invested over a million dollars to help renovate and revitalize the building that the Hickory Community Theatre has called home since 1949. Visit MyHKY.com to explore the city in virtual 360˚ environments, and see why Hickory is home to “Life. Well Crafted.”
About the Job
Under the direction of the Artistic Director (AD), the Education Director (ED) is responsible for day-to-day oversight, enhancement, and growth of the Hickory Community Theatre Educational programs and development of new programing. This position also must serve as a positive representative for The Hickory Community Theatre in all interactions with the community. The ED is assigned the following duties:
Essential Functions
- Implement the administration and development of theatre education programs: camps, classes, education productions, and The Penguin Project.
- Supervise, evaluate, hire and assign activities for contract teaching artists.
- Ensure that all contract artists conduct themselves in a professional manner and work in compliance with all HCT policies.
- Ensure that background checks are satisfactorily completed for all teaching artists and volunteers working in any capacity within the program. Refer rejected background checks to AD.
- Develop class schedules and create or coordinate the creation/gathering of essential materials.
- Evaluate programs on a regular basis for effectiveness utilizing the established tools. Present and recommend improvements based on evaluations to the AD.
- Work to ensure the smooth interface of Education programs with all HCT departments.
- Collaborate with teaching artists to establish the HCT connection with the Penguin Project.
- Be the main point of contact for parents and students involved in all educational programs.
- Recommend potential Theatre for Young Audiences and Youth Theatre titles to the AD, ensuring that the shows are age appropriate and ensure that the resources are available to stage the productions in accordance with HCT standards.
- Direct at least three of the education program productions, foremost being the holiday show for school field trip groups.
- Oversee the process of all Education productions and execute logistics for TYA and PPC auditions.
- Oversee registration activities for camps and classes.
- Create and/or oversee contract artists or volunteers the creation of teacher/parent resource guides for Youth Theatre shows and Youth Guides for appropriate mainstage shows as time allows.
Budgeting and Resource Management
- Provide input to AD on budgets for all Educational programing. Prepare and report spending updates on a regular basis; work to resolve issues with potential overages.
- Prepare and report necessary information and calendars to the AD for optimum space and resource management.
- Collaborate with the Artistic and Managing Directors regarding marketing and publicizing the program and the creation of promotional materials.
- Oversee the review and approval of scholarships.
QUALIFICATIONS
Desired Qualifications
Soft Skills: The ideal Education Director will be a creative thinker who is open to new ideas and opportunities as an innovator of multifaceted programs and productions. The Education Director will be motivated by subjective viewpoints, surroundings, and experiences. Instinctive by nature, this individual will have an ability to flexibly meet the demands of a contemporary theatre organization. The Education Director will also be resourceful in maximizing the return on investment of time, talent, energy, and resources, centered on the mission, vision, and values of the Hickory Community Theatre.
Capabilities: Demonstrated creative experience in theatre education endeavors with a record of success is required. The right individual will also evidence considerable experience in working with children and teens. A degree in an educational or theatrical discipline is helpful but not required. There is no specific theatrical or educational background that will receive preferential consideration. Exemplary verbal and written communication skills are required and multiple language aptitude would be greatly appreciated. The right candidate will also have proficient computer skills and be comfortable working with a variety of Office software, Google products and other online resources.
The Rewards
Position Classification: Full Time
Starting Salary: $41,600 annually, with a review after six months of employment.
Benefits:
Insurance: premium subsidy for private health and vision insurance, as well as employer paid group dental and short-term disability
Time off: 13 paid holidays; 10 days vacation; three days bereavement leave; and, flexible PTO for illness or personal reasons, duration of which is under the discretion of immediate supervisor
Moving Forward
Interested applicants should submit a letter that balances their educational philosophy with accomplishments and addresses both the hard and soft skills desired. Include a resume that thoroughly displays applicant’s career and qualifications that demonstrates past theatre education experience that has made a meaningful impact on the program participants. Do not be limited to one sheet, tell us about exactly what makes you the ideal candidate. Applications and inquiries should be directed to:
John Rambo, Managing Director
Email: jobs@hickorytheatre.org
Snail Mail:
Hickory Community Theatre
30 3rd St NW
Hickory, NC 28601
