Lead Drama Instructor and Drama Teachers Assistant

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission; Largo (MD); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission seeks a Lead Drama Instructor and Drama Teaching Assistant for the Junior Academy of the Performing Arts (ages 8-17). You will design and deliver engaging curricula, foster creativity, and help produce a full-length musical theater show.

Ideal candidates have an Associate’s degree in Performing Arts or related fields and at least two years teaching experience, with strong communication and classroom management skills.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Performing Arts or Visual Arts or equivalent education/experience.
• Minimum of two years of teaching or experience in the field.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling four years.
• Strong communication, organization, group collaboration, creativity, and classroom management skills.
• Assistants/Aides must be at least 18; Lead Instructors must be at least 21.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred or obtainable upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver age-appropriate performing and visual arts classes and workshops.
• Design lesson plans that integrate creativity, movement, storytelling, and cultural diversity.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment encouraging self-expression and teamwork.
• Collaborate with parents, recreation staff, and community partners to align program goals.
• Manage class logistics including attendance tracking, equipment setup, and safety compliance.
• Assist in producing a full-length staged musical production that showcases the session.
• Evaluate student progress through observation, feedback, and performance assessments.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Team collaboration

Creativity

Classroom management

Education

Associate’s degree in Performing Arts

4 years education/experience total

Job description

The Teen Arts Unit within The Arts and Cultural Heritage Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is seeking a passionate and dynamic Lead Drama Instructor and Drama Teaching Assistant to lead engaging instructional curriculum for kids/teens and assist in producing musical theatre shows for the Junior Academy of the Performing Arts program (ages 8-17). The ideal candidate will inspire creativity, confidence, and collaboration while fostering artistic expression, pre-professional skills, and cultural appreciation. This role supports a mission to cultivate cultural enrichment and personal growth through the performing and visual arts.

• Plan and deliver age-appropriate performing and visual arts classes and workshops for community participants.
• Design lesson plans that integrate creativity, movement, storytelling, and cultural diversity.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages self-expression and teamwork.
• Collaborate with parents, recreation staff, and community partners to ensure program goals align with participant needs and interests.
• Manage class logistics, including attendance tracking, equipment setup, and safety compliance.
• Assist in producing a full-length staged musical production that showcases the session
• Evaluate student progress through observation, feedback, and performance assessments.

Required

• Associate’s degree in Performing Arts or Visual Arts and their related fields (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Minimum of two years of teaching or experience in their field of study/specialty.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling four (4) years of experience.
• Strong communication, organization, group collaboration, creativity, and classroom management skills
• Ability to adapt lessons for diverse learning styles and abilities.
• Assistants/Aides must be at least 18 years of age.
• Lead Instructors must be at least 21 years of age.

Preferred

• CPR/First Aid certification (or ability to obtain upon hire).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Directing & Production: Experience staging school or community plays, blocking scenes, and managing rehearsal schedule.
• Acting & Performance: Deep knowledge of acting methods and creative play for children/teens, theatre etiquette, vocal projection, physical movement, and script/ plot line analysis.
• Team Work: Strong communication, organizational, and classroom management skills. Ability to adapt lessons for diverse learning styles and abilities.

May be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

Work hours

• Class instruction is generally for 4-5 hrs. per day generally on the weekends. (Saturdays in the spring, Sundays in the fall, Mon.-Fri. for summer camps)

Working Conditions/Environment

• Instructors must be comfortable with hands-on teaching with children ages 8-12 and 13-17, and flexible learning formats within a team setting.
• Must be able to safely and comfortably lift 30lbs

Supplemental information

• Employment is contingent upon a favorable background check.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411. (Maryland Relay 7-1-1) M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.