Compass Creative Dramatics is a traveling children's theatre that specializes in bringing week-long theatre experiences to the places where kids already learn and play, with tour locations across the USA.

Teaching artists are contracted as one half of a touring actor/educator pair, which works with up to 75 student actors (1st - 12th grade) in a given week. Tour actor/educators are responsible for directing and performing a 60-minute musical and teaching basic theatre workshops. The two-person team arrives in a community on Sunday, and on Monday they audition the students, cast them in parts, and begin rehearsing. By Friday, the students are ready to perform a 60-minute musical. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, and the team travels to their next location on Sunday. Some Experienced Teaching Artists may be paired with an Emerging Teaching Artist as part of our Theatre Educator Training Program. Experienced Teaching Artist who are paired with an Emerging Teaching Artist receive an additional coaching stipend.

Emerging Teaching Artists are the "journeyman" level of our three-level Theatre Educator Training Program, and are paired with Experienced Teaching Artists who provide additional coaching on the road to assist the Emerging Teaching Artist in their growth as an educator.

The actor/educators bring with them all of the sets, props, costumes, make-up, and music necessary for the production. During the contract, housing is provided while touring outside of the Chicagoland area. Within Chicagoland, actor/educators are responsible for their own housing. Being a tour actor/educator for Compass is 40% teaching the show, 25% teaching other topics (both during rehearsals and during enrichment workshops), and 25% acting - but we're looking for rockstars at all three. Comfort with basic singing is a must. Musical theatre experience is preferred, although not required. The other 10% of the position is made up of "behind-the-scenes" activities including tour reports, basic upkeep of costumes, sets, etc., and communication with clients and families. Comfort with general theatrical and administrative tasks is needed and training is provided. Must have a valid driver's license. Owning a car is a plus.

Group auditions will take place from 6:00pm - 9:30pm on Monday, September 10th, from 11:00am - 2:30pm on Saturday, September 15th, and from 4:00pm - 7:30pm on Saturday, September 15th. As the audition is based in theatre games and discussions, applicants must be present the entirety of the session. Some actors may be asked to stay after the group release to read and sing. Both Experienced and Emerging Teaching Artists may be present at each session.

Auditions will be held at Compass Creative Dramatics Administrative Office 4001 N Ravenswood Suite B3.

Pay:
Emerging Teaching Artists: Pay ranges average from $300 - $425 per week, which includes base pay + additional income through enrichment workshops, full-day program bonuses, etc. Contract includes a training stipend.

Experienced Teaching Artists: Pay ranges average from $400 - $525 per week, which includes base pay + additional income through enrichment workshops, full-day program bonuses, etc. Contract includes a training stipend.

Experience required:
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.

Those not meeting these experience requirements, but who are interested in developing and honing educational theatre experience are encouraged to apply for either of the first two levels of our Theatre Educator Training Program: Education Intern (stipended, level 1) or Education Apprentice (stipended, level 2). Your entry level to this training program is based on previous experience as well as assessed skillset at auditions.

Experienced Teaching Artists must have significant teaching experience, preferably in Theatre Education (preferred: 2+ theatre education credits totaling a minimum of 9 months total of in-"classroom" experience). With your resume, please include 2 references from teaching experiences. Applicants must hold a college degree or equivalent life experience.

Those not meeting these experience requirements, but who are interested in developing and honing educational theatre experience are encouraged to apply for our Theatre Educator Training Program, which consists of three levels: Stipended Education Intern, Stipended Education Apprentice, and Paid Emerging Teaching Artist. Your entry level to this training program is based on previous experience as well as assessed skillset at auditions.