Job Description
Location: Auckland
Term: Permanent full time position
Wage: $35.00 - $40.00 per hour
Hours of work: Minimum 30 guaranteed hours per week, up to a maximum of 40 hours per week, with shifts rostered from Monday to Sunday.
The Drama Tutor is responsible for planning, developing and delivering structured drama tuition to children and adult learners, both individually and in groups.
The role provides theoretical and practical instruction in drama and theatrical performance, including acting techniques, voice and speech, movement, improvisation, character development, script interpretation and stage performance.
The Drama Tutor assesses students' individual abilities and progress, adapts teaching programmes to their learning needs, and prepares students for performances, showcases, auditions and other relevant assessments and drama activities. The role also includes coordinating student drama performances and providing occasional support with community event organisation and stage management, including opportunities for drama students to showcase their learning and performance skills.
Requirements:
- Tertiary qualification at level 7 bachelor's degree or higher equivalent to a New Zealand qualification;
- Or have at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
- Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Planning Drama Programmes and Lessons
- Plan and develop structured programmes of study in the theory, practice and performance of drama for individual students and groups.
- Prepare lesson plans and teaching materials appropriate to students' ages, abilities, experience and learning objectives.
- Develop and regularly review course content, learning activities and teaching methods to meet students' individual training needs and abilities.
- Select appropriate scripts, scenes, exercises and other teaching materials for drama tuition.
2. Delivering Theoretical and Practical Drama Tuition
- Provide theoretical and practical instruction in drama to children and adult learners through individual and group lessons.
- Teach and demonstrate acting techniques, voice and speech, movement, improvisation, character development, script interpretation and stage performance.
- Introduce students to relevant drama and theatre concepts, styles, genres and performance techniques.
- Assign appropriate exercises and practical activities according to students' abilities, development needs and talents.
3. Assessing and Developing Students
- Observe and assess students' abilities, participation, performance and progress on an ongoing basis.
- Provide constructive feedback, advice, encouragement and individual coaching to improve students' drama and performance skills.
- Identify individual strengths and areas requiring further development and adapt lessons and exercises accordingly.
- Maintain appropriate records of students' attendance, learning progress and development where required.
- Communicate with students and, where appropriate, parents or caregivers regarding progress and areas for further development.
4. Preparing Students for Performances and Assessments
- Prepare and coach students for drama performances, showcases, auditions, examinations and other relevant assessments.
- Plan and supervise rehearsals and provide direction on acting, blocking, movement, voice, delivery, character portrayal and stage presentation.
- Provide individual and group coaching to develop students' confidence and performance skills.
- Evaluate students' readiness for performances and provide further training and guidance where required.
5. Reviewing Curriculum and Teaching Methods
- Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of drama programmes, lesson content, learning activities and teaching methods.
- Revise curricula, course content, teaching materials and methods of instruction according to students' progress, feedback and learning outcomes.
- Develop new exercises and learning activities to meet the changing abilities and needs of students.
- Maintain current knowledge of developments, techniques and methodologies in drama, theatre and performing arts education through relevant professional development.
6. Maintaining an Effective Learning Environment
- Establish and maintain a safe, inclusive, supportive and engaging environment for drama tuition.
- Manage classroom and workshop dynamics and encourage active participation, creativity, collaboration and mutual respect.
- Encourage students to develop confidence, creativity, communication skills and self-expression through drama.
- Ensure the safety and wellbeing of students during lessons, rehearsals and performances and comply with Wish Foundation's relevant policies and safeguarding requirements.
7. Supporting Student Performances and Community Events
- Organise and facilitate student drama performances, showcases and workshops as part of the drama teaching programme, including student participation in Wish Foundation's community events.
- Coordinate rehearsals, student performance schedules and performance arrangements in collaboration with other tutors and event organisers.
- Provide stage management support for student performances, including coordinating stage entrances and exits, performance cues, props and backstage arrangements.
- Prepare and manage scripts, props and other teaching and performance resources.
- Provide occasional support with the organisation and stage management of Wish Foundation's community events.
- Supervise and guide students during rehearsals and performances, supporting their safety, confidence and practical learning.
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong knowledge of drama, theatre, acting and performance techniques;
- Ability to teach both the theoretical and practical aspects of drama;
- Ability to plan and deliver structured programmes for individual students and groups;
- Ability to teach children and adults with different abilities and levels of experience;
- Strong skills in student assessment, coaching and performance preparation;
- Ability to develop and adapt lesson plans, curricula and teaching methods;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
- Creativity and the ability to motivate and engage students; and
- A professional approach to student safety, wellbeing and development.
The Drama Tutor is expected to demonstrate:
- Strong knowledge of drama, theatre, acting and performance techniques;
- Ability to teach both the theoretical and practical aspects of drama;
- Ability to plan and deliver structured programmes for individual students and groups;
- Ability to teach children and adults with different abilities and levels of experience;
- Strong skills in student assessment, coaching and performance preparation;
- Ability to develop and adapt lesson plans, curricula and teaching methods;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
- Creativity and the ability to motivate and engage students; and
- A professional approach to student safety, wellbeing and development.