What are the responsibilities and job description for the High School Theater Teacher position at Utopian Academy for the Arts?
High School Theater Teacher
About Us
The Utopian Network is built around 4 schools: Elementary, Flagship Middle, Middle at Trilith, and High. Utopian Academy for the Arts Elementary School is a premier performing arts school in Clayton County, GA. Our school has entertainment industry partnerships and a rich curriculum that supports the growth and development of the whole child as an artist, a leader, and a lifelong learner. In fact, we refer to our students as scholars and have high expectations for their behavior and progress in the classroom. Industry partnerships include the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Music Project, KidNation, and Trilith Studios. Utopian Academy for the Arts Middle School offers a proven academic foundation and creative pipeline that equips scholars for success in high school, college, thriving arts careers, and lifelong achievement. We pride ourselves on thinking outside of the box to cultivate the full potential of our young creatives. At Utopian Academy for the Arts at Trilith, creativity isn’t a class—it’s a way of life. Utopian Academy at Trilith is an arts-based public charter middle school, serving scholars in grades 6th - 8th with a statewide attendance zone. Rooted in academic excellence and powered by the Creative Digital Arts, Utopian Academy at Trilith blends rigorous core instruction with an arts-integrated curriculum that sparks imagination and innovation. At Utopian Academy for the Arts High School, excellence isn’t an aspiration - it’s the standard we rehearse every day. As Georgia’s only tuition-free public charter high school with a fully integrated arts curriculum, we empower scholars to thrive academically, artistically, and professionally.
The Role
Our greatest instructional strategy is our human capital. More than any other variable in education - more than curriculum or supplies - our faculty and staff matter. Effective teachers who are continually learning and setting high expectations are the key to student academic achievement and success. At Utopian Academy for the Arts School, we believe that students will rise to meet the high expectations set by our team of educators.
Position Overview
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated High School Theatre Teacher to join our team at Utopian Academy for the Arts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in theatre education and a passion for fostering creativity and theatrical growth in young students.
Key Role Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive theater curriculum that aligns with state and national standards.
- Teach students the fundamentals of acting, directing, stagecraft, and playwriting.
- Direct school performances, including plays, musicals, and showcases.
- Collaborate with other teachers and staff to integrate theater education with other disciplines.
- Assess student progress and adapt lessons to meet the needs of individual students.
- Maintain a positive and inclusive classroom environment that encourages student participation.
- Collaborate with school administrators, fellow faculty members, and community partners to promote dance education and participation in extracurricular dance activities, performances, and events.
- Advisor for Senior Capstone Projects
- Coordinate lesson plans with other teachers to maximize possibilities for teaching similar topics in the same general time frame, thus reinforcing student knowledge on an interdisciplinary basis.
- Provide direct and indirect instruction.
- Long and short-term planning addressing individual needs of students.
- Prepare students adequately for all required assessments.
- Evaluate students’ progress through frequent formative assessment.
- Provide an inviting, exciting, innovative, learning environment.
- Engage in effective and appropriate classroom management.
- Accept and incorporate feedback and coaching from administrative staff.
- Serve as an advisor to students, overseeing academic and behavioral progress.
- Attend and support all arts events throughout the school year.
- Meet with Theatre department monthly to enhance the Arts’ culture, strengthen the Arts pathways and overall pedagogy network wide.
- Facilitate events, competitions, showcases, and field trips throughout the school year.
- Report directly to the Principal and Director of Arts Education
- Perform other duties, as deemed appropriate, by the Principal and Director of Arts Education
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from a 4-year, accredited college or university in Theater education or 10 years industry experience.
- State teaching certification in Theater Education.
- Previous experience teaching theatre in a high school setting.
- Strong knowledge of theatre theory and a wide range of theatrical styles.
- Excellent communication and classroom management skills.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated communication skills
- Model correct use of language - oral and written;
- Demonstrated willingness to be held accountable for students’ results.
- Ability to work with diverse groups of children.
- Ability to be flexible and to work in a pleasant and cooperative manner
- Ability to work effectively as a team member;
- Possess a high degree of professionalism and discretion;
- Knowledge of school safety & security procedures
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines