STEP Technical Assistant

Cleveland Public Theatre; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 29,575 - 38,675; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly salary competitive with art sector

Experience working with youth

Mentorship opportunities

Job summary

A community arts organization is hiring Teaching Artists for their STEP program in Cleveland, Ohio. Positions include Technical Director/Lead Teacher, Teaching Artists, and Technical Assistants, each requiring distinct skills in performance, technical theatre, and youth mentorship. These roles offer competitive weekly salaries ranging from $650 to $850. The summer program runs from June to August and focuses on youth engagement through performing arts, with an emphasis on collaborative creation and production. Candidates should have experience in the arts and be able to work flexibly during the program's schedule.

Qualifications

• Experience working with teens in educational or artistic settings.
• Strong communication skills and ability to provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to work extended hours during production times.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support youth in creating original performances and technical skills.
• Implement educational curriculum for different roles.
• Supervise and mentor students throughout the program.

Skills

Playwriting

Acting

Music

Dance

Technical Theatre Skills

Education

Experience in teaching or mentoring youth

Background in performing arts

Job description

CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE IS HIRING TEACHING ARTISTS FOR THE STEP PROGRAM

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is hiring Teaching Artists for our nationally recognized Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP)2026. Available roles are temporary, full-time positions beginning June 1, 2026 and ending no later than August 5, 2026. Exact start dates depend on the role. The STEP Technical Assistant earns $650/week, the STEP Teaching Artist earns $685/week, and the STEP Technical Director & Lead Teacher earns $850/week. Set salaries are based on candidate experience and range of skills.

STEP Technical Director and Lead Teacher

The artist in this role supervises a group of teenage Tech Ensemble members in implementing the set and sound needs for the STEP outdoor touring production, including a basic sound system and a 16′ x 20′ stage. The STEP TD/Lead Teacher gives six hours of daily instruction in technical theatre skills and supervises teens while building scenic elements. The position requires extended hours closer to production but will average 40–50 hours a week. This role serves as the supervisor for the STEP Tech Assistant and reports to the Director of Education.

STEP Technical Assistant

The artist in this role supports the STEP TD/Lead Teacher in supervising the work of the STEP Tech Ensemble and reports to the STEP TD. The position may require some extended hours closer to production but will average 40–50 hours a week.

STEP Teaching Artists

The artists in these roles have strong playwriting, acting, music, and/or dance skills and are integral in guiding young artists in the creation of an original performance which tours throughout the greater Cleveland area. The position may require some extended hours but will average 40 hours a week. STEP TAs report to the STEP Director & Program Manager as well as the Director of Education.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

CPT’s Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) is an arts-based job training program that engages Cleveland teens in a powerful, eight-week intensive (four weeks for Technical Ensemble) that focuses on excellence in performance, play creation, physical theatre, writing, production, and set design/construction. Students ages 14–19, presenting a wide range of performance experience, are eligible for participation and earn money while learning and practicing valuable job skills such as timeliness, communication, commitment, and teamwork. Under the guidance of CPT artists, teens develop an original play and then tour it to public green spaces, theatres, and community organizations throughout the city of Cleveland. Since its beginning in 1994, STEP has received multiple awards and recognitions, including those from the City of Cleveland, The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Celebrating over 30 years of empowering artmaking, STEP is the longest running arts-based job training program in Cleveland and has been utilized as an international model for engaging youth. STEP ensembles see themselves as a positive and inspirational force and are able to witness their work’s invaluable impact on the larger Cleveland community. Youth are onsite approximately six hours a day during creation and work through an adjusted schedule while on tour.

STEP TECHNICAL DIRECTOR/LEAD TEACHING ARTIST RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Collaborating with full STEP creative team and CPT staff from applicable departments to successfully present outdoor performances during a two-week tour with teen artists
• Leading/supporting the management of a two-week local tour with teens
• Creating and implementing curriculum providing foundational instruction on set design, set construction, properties work, lighting, sound, and stage setup to teen artists from July 6 to no later than August 5 from 9:30am–5:30pm, M–F
• Hours will shift when on tour (July 23–August 2) and are TBD until the performance schedule is finalized. Performances typically take place during afternoon and evening hours.
• Serving as a strong role model for youth
• Sharing relevant communication with parents/guardians
• Supervising STEP Tech Assistant, managing assignments and support
• Leading and assisting in production needs, including but not limited to set design, set construction, sound support, set up, and strike of stage platforms
• Driving tour production truck (small box truck, no special license required)
• Operating minivan and/or 12-passenger van to transport materials and/or STEP artists to and from performance sites
• Complete training (June 1–5 , 9am–5pm). This represents the STEP TA Training Schedule. The STEP Technical Director will join a portion of this training with additional time for lesson creation and shop setup during this week.
• Create detailed and accurate lesson plans, attendance records, and session progress notes for the program as indicated by Director of Education
• Attending meetings with Director of Education and wider STEP Team to share outline highlights, session progress, questions and challenges of program implementation
• This position earns $850/week.

Additional Information

• Beginning July 6, youth are onsite for approximately six hours a day, Monday–Friday (11am–5pm), with adjusted hours during the tour. The last day of the program for youth will be August 2, 2026.

STEPTECHNICALASSISTANTRESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Collaborating with full STEP creative team and CPT staff from applicable departments to successfully present outdoor performances during a two-week tour with teens
• Supporting the management of a two-week local tour with teens
• Supporting the implementation of curriculum and assisting during instruction around set design, set construction, properties work, lighting, sound, and stage setup from July 6 to no later than August 5 from 9:30am–5:30pm, M–F
• Hours will shift when on tour (July 23–August 2) and are TBD until the performance schedule is finalized.
• Leading and/or assisting in sound and stage setup
• Executing basic set construction support
• Serving as a strong role model for youth
• Sharing relevant communication with parents/guardians
• Driving tour production truck (small box truck, no special license required)
• Operating minivan and/or 12-passenger van to transport materials and/or STEP artists to and from performance sites
• Complete training (June 1–5 , 9am–5pm). This represents the STEP TA Training Schedule. The STEP Tech Lead will join a portion of this training with additional time for lesson creation and shop setup during this week.
• Maintain accurate attendance records and session progress notes for the program as indicated by STEP Technical Director and Lead Teacher
• Attending meetings with Director of Education and wider STEP Team to share outline highlights, session progress, questions and challenges of program implementation
• This position earns $650/week.

Additional Information

• Beginning July 6, youth are onsite for approximately six hours a day, Monday–Friday (11am–5pm), with adjusted hours during the tour. The last day of the program for youth will be August 2, 2026.

TO APPLY:

Interested STEP Technical Director/Lead Teacher AND STEP Technical Assistant candidates should email a cover letter of interest, a resume, and three references to Melissa Crum, Director of Education, [e-mail]. The subject header should read: [LAST NAME], STEP Technical Director/Lead Teacher or STEP Technical Assistant. No phone calls, please.

STEP Teaching artist responsibilities include:

• Supporting the creation and performance of a one-hour devised piece to be toured outdoors throughout Cleveland
• Following pedagogical practices as set forth by CPT Education leadership, creatively co-create a curriculum for and instruct youth in devised theatre and performing arts techniques
• Assisting STEP Director in all areas of program facilitation, applying their skill in playwriting, dance, music, and/or acting in the implementation of program curriculum
• Modeling young artist expectations throughout the creative process
• Implementing all notes and directions given by STEP Director
• Attending pre- and post-session meetings
• Discussing class plans before implementation and make necessary adjustments
• Sharing relevant communication with parents/guardians
• Documenting plans and implementation of programming
• Evaluating students and the STEP program
• Purchasing materials as needed
• Properly recording expenses according to preset guidelines, as applicable
• Completing week of training (June 1–5 , 9am–5pm)
• Attending work hours (June 8– August 5 , M–F, 9:30am–5:30pm)
• Hours will shift when on tour (July 23– August 2) and are TBD until the performance schedule is finalized.
• This position earns $685/week.

TO APPLY:

Interested STEP TA candidates should email a cover letter of interest, a resume, and three references to Melissa Crum, Director of Education, [e-mail]. The subject header should read: [LAST NAME], STEP Teaching Artist. No phone calls, please.