Shakespeare in the Ruff is seeking applications for an Education Coordinator to join the Artistic Leadership Collective and company to guide the Youth Development and Outreach Program, focusing on the Young Ruffian Apprenticeship Program (YRAP). The role of the Education and Outreach Coordinator is to lead with passion, dedication, and a desire to create meaningful and vibrant programming for youth.
The contract runs from February 1st, 2022 to October, 2022 with an increase in activity in March/April and July/August.
Now in its eleventh season, the company of Shakespeare in the Ruff is dedicated to creating accessible, exciting, and radical adaptations of Shakespeare’s works that speak to our world today.
The Young Ruffian Program is a vital part of this work as a paid program, integrated one-on-one mentorship, hands-on skill building, and the opportunity to perform in professional and collaborative productions.
Purpose: Shakespeare In The Ruff is a professional outdoor theatre company serving the diverse neighbourhoods of Toronto’s East End.
When we collaborate, create, plan and program, Ruff operates with these five values in mind: creative audacity, anti-racism and decolonized practice, accessibility, education and mentorship and respect.
We create radical adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, pushing the boundaries of form and content while integrating land-based-embodied work for outdoor theatre.
We bring together local-residents, emerging artists, businesses, and non-profit organizations through our activities to build a stronger community.
Our programming is offered for free or Pay-What-You-Can to ensure accessibility for everyone.
The Young Ruffian Program includes:
- Workshops for 4 weeks, twice a week, in theatre creation
- Personalized mentorship from professional company artists
- Creative workshops on adaptation, movement/text creation, devising, elements of performing, and more!
- The opportunity to meet other emerging theatre artists and collaboratively create!
The program believes:
- Paid professional level training for young people.
- Treating young people like the artists they are, while supporting their growth.
- Helping young artists learn techniques to create the art they imagine.
- Creating safe, inclusive learning environments.
- Continual leadership opportunities
- Fostering more professional opportunities for Young Ruffians in the future.
- Personalized training and mentorship.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COORDINATOR
- Work closely with member(s) of the leadership collective to develop and coordinate a meaningful youth engagement strategy to ensure that mentorship/education is a priority throughout the organization
- In line with this strategy, initiate and implement new programming alongside the Ruffian Program
- Administer and deliver the Young Ruffian Program
- Continue to develop the program, making changes in line with the company’s strategic goals and with current best practices in youth arts engagement
- Develop and maintain the budget for the program
- Support any grant writing for the program (includes contribution, writing and reporting)
- Create a schedule for the program
- Provide day-to-day support throughout the summer
- A genuine commitment to helping grow an internal culture that values people and provides an opportunity for everyone to flourish.
- Dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity, cultural diversity, and broadening accessibility to the arts.
- Self-motivation and the ability to work independently
REQUIRED SKILLS:
• Minimum 2 years related experience in an arts setting.
• Experience teaching and working with youth.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent people skills; comfort with and experience in meeting people from all walks of life.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with design software such as PhotoShop, InDesign and/or Adobe Pro an asset.
• Administrative experience in a school environment an asset.
• Resource, project and budget management experience an asset.
• Valid driver’s license an asset. • Self-motivation and the ability to work independently
We welcome all applications from qualified candidates and people with disabilities and individuals from equity-seeking groups are highly encouraged to apply. We know applications can be overwhelming; please submit the latest version of your CV that you have on hand and send us a brief email to introduce yourself. Please do not hesitate to email us if you require any accessibility accommodations or support for this application. We look forward to hearing from you—thank you!
- Total contract $3500 (This is considered to be a 1/4 part-time position with an increase of activity around March/April and July/August)
- Update: Interviews to be held mid- January 2022