Director of Education

Arts Hacker; Quincy (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Retirement match

Job summary

Quincy Community Theatre in Quincy, Illinois seeks a Director of Education to develop outreach workshops, oversee student theatre productions, and lead QCT’s educational classes. This role requires coordinating with directors and staff, training volunteers, and expanding education programs for Pre-K through adults.

The position is full-time and exempt, with irregular hours. Salary ranges from $50,000 to $55,000 annually, plus benefits including health insurance, paid vacation, and retirement

Qualifications

• Experience working with volunteer casts and crews of all ages.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must have attention to detail and ability to work independently on projects.
• Organizational skills with ability to multitask and manage time effectively.
• Strong theatrical background with directing experience in multiple genres.
• Experience teaching and/or working with youth.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement outreach workshops aligned with standards and cross-curricular material.
• Lead outreach workshops across grade levels; manage classroom dynamics.
• Handle administrative duties: scheduling, quotes, invoicing coordination, reports, and curriculum updates.
• Build relationships with local businesses, schools, and arts organizations to expand program reach.
• Collaborate with Artistic Director and staff to select seasons for student shows and support productions.
• Direct at least two student theatre shows per season and support guest directors.
• Coordinate with production teams to integrate technical and artistic elements.
• Recruit, train, and supervise student crews and volunteers for theatre productions.
• Create rehearsal schedules and oversee QCT on the Road tours and study guides.
• Ensure safety procedures during productions and tours; lead staff training on safety.
• Oversee class registrations and partner with Front of House on class communications.
• Develop and manage program budgets to ensure sustainability.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in theatre arts or related field

Job description

The Director of Education is responsible for the development and implementation of outreach workshops, classes held at the QCT, and directing student theatre productions. This role is vital in fostering a love for the performing arts among young people, nurturing creativity, and providing high-quality educational opportunities that align with our mission, vision, and values.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Outreach

• Design/implement curriculum and lesson plans for outreach workshops. Lesson plans should be in alignment with the National Core Arts Standards and present cross-curricular material, when possible.
• Serve as lead instructor for all outreach workshops; requires working with all grade levels and strong classroom management skills.
• Administrative duties include: scheduling workshop dates/times, preparing quotes for workshop fees and discounts, communicating with school faculty and staff, relaying invoice needs to QCT Box Office Manager, tracking detailed workshop reports, researching/updating curriculum as needed.
• Serves as a passionate advocate for arts education, developing and nurturing relationships with local businesses, colleges, schools, media, and arts organizations to expand program reach to new audiences and underserved populations.

Student Theatre

• In collaboration with the Artistic Director, Executive Director, and QCT staff, select a season of student shows with varied artistic/educational objectives that will provide unique opportunities to our students and volunteers, as well as support QCT’s budgetary and operational needs
• Cultivate an environment where students can explore their talents, take artistic risks, and build confidence.
• Direct at least two student theatre shows each season. Support guest directors in collaboration with the Artistic Director.
• Collaborate with production teams, including QCT’s Artistic Director, to ensure seamless integration of technical and artistic elements.
• Support Production Associate to recruit/train/supervise student crew and volunteers as needed for student theatre productions. (Including stage manager, light board operator, sound board operator, props volunteers)
• Create and implement the rehearsal schedules.
• Administer QCT on the Road, including scheduling tour route, facilitating communication between the venues and QCT, and generating a study guide of educational content.
• Oversee all safety/emergency procedures related to a production or rehearsal, especially when students are involved.
• Lead and train staff and volunteers to conduct facility tours for groups and potential volunteers.

QCT Classes

• Design and implement engaging educational classes onsite at QCT, ensuring that classes are available for students Pre‑K through adult at various skill levels and interests, promoting creativity and personal growth.
• Serve as lead instructor for many classes. This includes researching curriculum, writing lesson plans, and preparing all class materials.
• Hire, train, and supervise guest instructors as needed.
• At the end of each class session, gather responses from written surveys given to parents and students. Analyze data to inform decisions about scheduling and class selection.
• Recruit, train, and supervise student volunteers to serve as teaching assistants.
• In collaboration with the Front of House staff, oversee class registration and communicate with students/families about class expectations.
• Establish/implement safety protocols for when students are in our building.

Program Administration

• Develop and manage program budgets responsibly, aligning with the value of stewardship to ensure sustainability.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience working with volunteer casts and crews of all ages
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Must have attention to detail and ability to work independently on projects
• Individual must be organized with ability to multitask, excellent time management skills are a must
• Bachelor’s degree in theatre arts or a related field preferred
• Strong theatrical background, including experience directing in multiple genres
• Experience teaching and/or working with youth

This position is a full-time, exempt position. It does include irregular and extended working hours. Salary range $50-55K based on experience. Benefits include 100% coverage of health insurance, paid vacation, and retirement match after 90 days of employment.

About Us

Quincy Community Theatre is more than just a stage—we are a cornerstone of creativity and community in Quincy, Illinois. With a mission to offer and perpetuate quality theatre entertainment and education, we provide a dynamic space where stories come alive, talents are nurtured, and audiences are captivated. Situated along the picturesque Mississippi River, our nonprofit theatre thrives in a city of 40,000 residents who passionately support the arts.

Each year, we proudly produce a unique lineup of shows for students and adults, including six mainstage productions, four black box productions, and a student touring production that brings the magic of theatre to area schools and community centers. Our facility, located in the Oakley-Lindsay Center, features a stunning 498-seat proscenium stage that sets the scene for unforgettable performances.

At Quincy Community Theatre, we aspire to be a hub of artistic excellence, cultivating a community where creativity thrives, audiences are engaged, and the transformative power of the performing arts is celebrated and accessible to all.

Why Quincy, Illinois?

Quincy is a hidden gem with a thriving arts scene, an affordable cost of living, and a welcoming community. Find amenities offered by much larger cities, but still know your neighbors and enjoy Quincy’s small-town comfort. Situated along the Mississippi River, the city offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and a strong tradition of supporting the performing arts. Whether you enjoy outdoor adventures, exploring local culture, or immersing yourself in the performing arts, Quincy offers something for everyone. Come and see why so many fall in love with this unique place we call home.

Quincy Community Theatre is an equal-opportunity employer for all employees and applicants. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.