Teaching Artist Training Program
A Three-Tiered Approach to Training Teaching Artists in Chicago
Programs Available (approximately) May-Sept, Sept-Dec, Dec-May
We accept applications to our Teaching Artist Training Program on a rolling basis.
Our Teaching Artist Training Program is a three-tiered approach to discovering and developing the skills necessary
to effectively manage a classroom and enrich the artistic, intellectual, and emotional lives of your students.
Entry level to this training program is based on previous experience as well as assessed skillset at your interview and/or audition.
Our Teaching Artist Training Program is a three-tiered approach to discovering and developing the skills necessary
to effectively manage a classroom and enrich the artistic, intellectual, and emotional lives of your students.
Entry level to this training program is based on previous experience as well as assessed skillset at your interview and/or audition.
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Level One: Internship |
Level Two: Apprenticeship |
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Availability
Education Internships are offered part-time year-round, approximately Jan-Apr, May-Aug, and Sept-Dec. Approximately 1-4 internship positions can be available during each season. |
Availability
Education Internships are offered during the winter/spring and summer touring seasons, approximately Jan-Apr and May-Aug. Approximately 1-2 apprenticeships positions are available during each season. |
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Overview: Internship
Education Interns work alongside professional teaching artists through observation and assistantship, gaining experience with curriculum development, lesson planning, and teaching children aged 3-18. Interns will develop their skills through both observation and hands-on experience until, gaining understanding through a holistic approach to theatre education including material prep, marketing, and administration. by the conclusion of their internship, they are prepared to teach solo. We guide our Interns through the process of learning and building their skillsets as educators in small, "building-block" steps, and work to ensure that each intern is feeling confident in their teaching abilities before leading a classroom on their own. As they train, Compass Creative Dramatics Interns receive the opportunity to work with children on-site in area classrooms through Chicago Park District and local schools. In-classroom hours vary dependent on partnering parks' and schools' scheduling needs.* Overall hours average 15-20 hours per week; hours are often flexible and internships can sometimes be customized based on the needs of the intern candidate, with the exception of training and any in-classroom hours. As this position does not travel outside the Chicagoland area, education interns provide their own housing. 2019 Summer Internship stipend is $800. *For the Summer Internship: Twice weekly for approximately 8 weeks (July – Aug), interns teach at two Chicago Park District locations. This and the May training schedule will be the only portion of the responsibilities that require a rigid schedule. These classes will in the afternoons for approximately 3- 4 hours per day twice a week. 
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Overview: Apprenticeship
Education apprentices work closely with professional teaching artists, building on existing childcare experience to further develop skills in classroom management, curriculum development and lesson planning, pedagogy, and practical teaching application. Throughout their program, apprentices will develop these skills through observation and co-teaching as well as solo teaching a classroom and build understanding through a holistic approach to theatre education, including material prep, marketing, and administration. Leaders of the apprenticeship program closely evaluate apprentices' past classroom experience and seek to craft an apprenticeship curriculum that will build on skills developed during those previous experiences. The content of an Education Apprenticeship with Compass Creative Dramatics can vary greatly depending on the season of the Apprenticeship. Regardless of the season, experiences include classroom responsibilities, program preparation and execution, and shared ensemble duties. During a Summer Apprenticeship, the Apprentice will travel with two teaching artists and may solo teach 1-3 activity and workshop sessions with up to 40 students in grades 1-12 during each week on tour. Of the up to 16 weeks of a summer apprenticeship, as many as 7-10 of those weeks may be out of town; housing is provided when on tour. When not on tour, apprentices are responsible for their own housing. A general breakdown of an 18-week Summer Apprenticeship might be ask follows:
*material prep, marketing, and admin are ongoing projects for teachers! During the weeks when the Apprentice is "off-the-road," the focus on these areas is concentrated The 2019 Summer Apprenticeship runs from May 1st - September 10th.
2019 Summer Apprentice receives a $4000 stipend. Winter/Spring Apprenticeships may participate in more hour-long programs than week-long programs, both as a co-teacher and as a solo teacher. The vast majority of Winter/Spring apprentice programs will take place within Chicagoland; in the case of a rare program outside the Chicago area, housing will be provided while out of town. Housing is generally not provided during a winter/spring apprenticeship. |
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The following skills will be introduced and built upon throughout the internship:
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The following skills will be practiced and further developed throughout the apprenticeship:
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Long-term Goals of this Program
Our education internship program is designed to offer an introduction to teaching, classroom preparation, and classroom management through the lens of arts education. We seek to serve the educational and artistic communities, as well as the more global community by introducing the concepts of teaching artistry. Whether or not an intern continues to train as a teaching artist, we hope that the skills they gain through this internship serves them in whichever role they explore next. While our training program guarantees no future role or employment with Compass Creative Dramatics, many who have completed internships and apprenticeships have been offered additional teaching and administrative freelance roles at Compass once their internships concluded. Our team is dedicated to helping our team members move forward toward new assignments, whether at Compass or with area educational institutions! Former interns and apprentices have gone on to hold both educational and administrative positions at Compass Creative Dramatics, as roles at organizations like Emerald City Children's Theatre, Little Green Treehouse (West Loop), The Musical Offering, The Glencoe Library, and Kindercare (Wildflower Lane, Schaumburg). |
Long-term Goals of this Program
Our education apprenticeship program is designed to train and develop artists who have some experience working with children, whether in an arts-related capacity or otherwise, and who show promise and passion for theatre and for education. Through our mentorship of these developing teaching artists, we hope to serve not only the teachers themselves, but also our larger communities, providing a new generation of educators who will spark a passion for their students and encourage all students to stretch their creativity and bravery muscles. While our training program guarantees no future role or employment with Compass Creative Dramatics, many who have completed internships and apprenticeships have been offered additional teaching and administrative freelance roles at Compass once their internships concluded. Our team is dedicated to helping our team members move forward toward new assignments, whether at Compass or with area educational institutions! Former interns and apprentices have gone on to hold both educational and administrative positions at Compass Creative Dramatics, as roles at organizations like Emerald City Children's Theatre, Little Green Treehouse (West Loop), The Musical Offering, The Glencoe Library, and Kindercare (Wildflower Lane, Schaumburg). |
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An Ideal Internship Candidate Will:
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An Ideal Apprenticeship Candidate Will:
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To Apply for an Internship
Please send an email to submissions@ccdramatics.com. Submission should fulfill the following:
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To Apply for an Apprenticeship
Please send an email to submissions@ccdramatics.com. Submission should fulfill the following:
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Level Three: Journeyman
At this level of the program, emerging teaching artists (journeymen) hone their education skills as one-half of a touring teaching artist pair. Teaching Artists entering the Journeyman level of the Compass Teacher Training Program should, upon entry, have comfort solo teaching, organizing a classroom, and managing student behavior. Journeyman are paired with a mentor throughout their contract, who will support their journey as an arts educator through the end of their contract with Compass Creative Dramatics.
Emerging Teaching Artists should have experience in education, childcare, or related work, and must have professional performance experience. Applicants should be on schedule to complete a college degree prior to the contract start date, or have equivalent life experience.
For more information on this position, please see our information regarding emerging teaching artists.
Emerging Teaching Artists should have experience in education, childcare, or related work, and must have professional performance experience. Applicants should be on schedule to complete a college degree prior to the contract start date, or have equivalent life experience.
For more information on this position, please see our information regarding emerging teaching artists.