Echo Theater Company is hiring Teaching Artists for after-school, school-day and community based residencies who can teach in a variety of performing arts disciplines including beginner ground circus skills (juggling, acrobatics, stilt-walking, etc.), Clowning, Physical Theatre, Expressive Movement, and/or Dance.

• Portland, Reynolds, and Gresham Barlow School Districts, Echo West, Echo Theater, possibilities to expand! 

• Summer camps, school-day and after-school residencies

• Monthly teaching artist cohort check-ins and opportunities for paid professional development

• Programs work with all ages, kindergarten through adults, however most programs focus on youth K-8

• Classes range from 6-10 students per 1 instructor

Job Type: Part time, non-exempt, at will, seasonal, hourly employee

Compensation: $20 – 32/hr direct services (DOE), $20/hr admin/lesson planning, $16/hr training/meetings

Term: 5-9 months and seasonal, 4-18 hrs/week

Hiring Timeline: Positions start Summer Term with Camps, Fall Term with Outreach Sites

About Echo Theater Company

The Mission of Echo Theater Company is to create space for collaboration, empowerment and the joyful celebration of community using movement and ensemble theater traditions, imaginative play, and circus arts to help people of all abilities discover their potential, encourage perseverance and embrace their humanity.

The ETC School encourages physical confidence, freedom, and grace in a creative, non-competitive atmosphere. Students of all ages and abilities develop strength, balance, flexibility, and creativity while working with others to explore the intersection of circus, movement, and storytelling. We support a faculty of teaching artists, who cultivate their students’ abilities, model through performance and are life-long learners themselves. The ETC outreach program prioritizes partnerships with public Title 1A schools where 33% or more of students receive support services from the state, as well as local social service nonprofits (Latino Network, p:ear, Impact NW, and more). We currently have programs in 7 Portland Public Schools, 1 Special Education Center, as well as drop-in classes for homeless youth.

About the Teaching Artist Position

ETC Teaching Artists work in partnership with other artists and educators at Portland Public Schools, local non-profits, nearby school districts and community based sites as needed. The Teaching Artists’ main objective is to deliver a comprehensive circus arts curriculum rooted in exploration, collaboration, physical theater, and creating original work. This curriculum is informed by principles of youth development, and supportive relationships that center students in proud and powerful ways. We prioritize the daily relational and creative process over the final product, while keeping expectations of our students high and encouraging students to have high expectations of themselves. 

Schedule

• Seasonal Terms: Summer Camps; September - December Term, Mid-January-March Term, Mid-March-May Term

• Two – five afternoons per week, 1.5 - 3 hour shifts & bi-weekly staff meetings

• Occasional weekends and one-off events

Responsibilities

• Help set-up and clean-up equipment before and after class

• Take leadership in teaching specific circus, movement and/or theater skills

• Lead supportive activities such as games and warm-ups

• Support the culture of ETC  in cooperation with Lead Coach / Outreach Manager

• Coordinate with Outreach Manager and Lead Coaches on class structure and logistics, creatively contribute to lesson plan

• Collaborate with other coaches and students

• Mentor and encourage young learners, engaging with students proactively

• Keep participants engaged in a positive, creative way while embodying ETC values

• Facilitate group conversations 

• Support class management 

• Communicate effectively with youth and other adults, including host venue staff, families and community members 

Qualifications

• A background in or currently practicing/teaching one or more performing arts’ disciplines

• 2+ years of experience teaching youth in any setting - including the ability to engage students and teach in less-structured environments

• Demonstrated experience and success working in multicultural settings

• Ability to create and collaborate on lesson plans for 2-8 month programs

• Commitment to personal development including circus skills, show production, and community interaction

• Multilingual, BIPOC, and LGBTQI+ candidates are encouraged to apply

How to Apply

Send a brief letter of interest, resume, and, if possible, work sample links (personal and/or students) to:

Josie Mae, Outreach Coordinator, Echo Theater Company
Email: josie@echotheaterpdx.org, subject line: Teaching Artist 

Upon hire, individuals must be able to provide

• Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.

• Fingerprint clearance (FBI and DOJ background check)

• First Aid and CPR certified (can complete or renew upon hire) 

• Some sites require proof of COVID-19 Vaccination and/or TB Test clearance

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Echo Theater Company does not deny benefits to or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or sexual orientation and values the unique abilities of each. The Echo Theater Company complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act laws and regulations in the areas of hiring, compensation, benefits, and promotion.

Final Notes

We recognize that outstanding candidates may bring skills, experiences, and perspectives we haven’t yet considered—and may not align perfectly with everything outlined above. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply or reach out. We’d love to hear about your background and the unique contributions you can bring to our students and community.