RESIDENCY TEACHING ARTIST

Residency Teaching Artist – Part-time
Elementary & Middle School Program

Organization Summary

The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company’s (USTC) mission is to mentor, educate, and enrich

youth in under-resourced communities by creating collaborative original theatre. Our mission

powers our vision of a world where all youth are given the opportunities and support they need

to succeed and to be heard, valued, and respected. We strive to be a bridge that helps youth

make positive life choices.

Founded in the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles uprising, USTC has grown from a small,

volunteer-led youth intervention program into an award-winning leader in arts education, youth

development, mentorship, and community building. After nearly three decades of service within

disinvested and underrepresented communities, our work focuses on ensuring the equitable

enrichment and development of Los Angeles County's under-resourced youth and their

communities. Our free, theatre-arts programs go beyond the reach of typical arts education

workshops to offer personalized mentorship and a safe space for self-expression, empowering

those we work with to identify and leverage their innate talents and overcome inequitable

circumstances.

For more information, visit: theunusualsuspects.org

Job Summary

The Residency Teaching Artist (TA) is a leader for our elementary and middle school

programming provided during school hours. They take on a variety of responsibilities within our

programming, including roles such as facilitator, mentor, coach, and teacher.

Teaching Artists balance strong artistic standards with youth development. They create spaces

where students can take creative risks, build confidence, connect with others and have fun.

Our TAs are committed to safe learning, encouraging positive growth, setting a good example,

and celebrating student achievements.

The Unusual Suspects TA should have established experience in theatre arts and a passion for

teaching elementary and middle school children in their classrooms. TAs work closely with site

staff and partners to meet daily and long-term program goals.

The Teaching Artist role is a non-exempt, part-time, temporary position and will report to the

Program Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitates USTC curriculum through a youth-centered, ensemble-based approach that

prioritizes student’s voices.

• Provides constructive feedback that strengthens and supports the students’ work.
• Encourages students to ask questions, make choices, experiment, and be creative.
• Collaborates with the USTC Programs team, fellow Teaching Artists, and other staff

members.

• Mandatory participation in pre-planning and post-planning meetings for each workshop

with their co-teaching artists, USTC staff, and volunteer mentors.

• Documents workshop agenda and reflections for each session, and shares them with

the administrative staff.

• Reports workshop concerns; including issues with lessons, learning, attendance, and

the facility, to the programs manager and/or director, and if needed other administrative

staff.

• Submits accurate deliverables promptly in accordance with the administrative

deadlines.

• Proficient in computer skills, especially using Google Suite.
• Performs other duties as needed.

Skills & Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree (BA, BS, etc.) in a related field is preferred, but not required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of working experience in a similar role.
• Detail-oriented with excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, and writing

skills.

• Cultural competency to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience working with Neurodiverse participants is highly desirable.
• Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking artists who are:

• Able to balance facilitation with clear instructional guidance.
• Strong communicators who can explain our programming clearly to young people.
• Responsive to student needs while upholding program expectations.
• Collaborative, reflective, and open to feedback.
• Background in theater with experience working with youth in an educational or artistic

setting.

• Maintaining a respectful, and creatively rigorous classroom environment that is also

welcoming and joyful.

• Utilize strong classroom management strategies to support engagement, behavior, and

group dynamics.

• Differentiate instruction to support a range of learning needs, including students in

special education programs.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Students are actively participating and developing new, creative skills.
• Sessions are structured, focused, and purposeful.
• Teaching Artists are guiding, not just facilitating, student work.
• Classroom culture supports both creativity and accountability.
• All Teaching Artists will participate in scheduled ongoing trainings.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 30 pounds. Must be flexible working in a fast-paced, non-profit

environment.

• Must have access to reliable transportation.
• Must be willing to work at multiple and various locations throughout Los Angeles

County.

• Must be willing to use personal equipment such as a cell phone and a laptop/tablet.
• Employment with USTC dependent upon clearance through Live Scan background

check(s).

• This position follows the public-school calendar, with peak activity in fall and spring.
• Candidates must be open to working a flexible schedule, including some evenings and

weekends.

The information presented above indicates the general nature and level of work expected of

employees in this position. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a

comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of

employees assigned to this job.

Schedule & Compensation

• Part-time, non-exempt position.
• Compensation: Teaching $60/HR; Planning $20/HR.
• Accrued sick Paid Time-Off (PTO) as designated by the State of California.
• Workshops are scheduled during school hours with occasional work in the evenings

and on weekends.

How to Apply

Send your resume and cover letter (including a brief statement of interest, including your

experience working with youth and/or theater) to [email protected]. Please include

the subject line; the position title and your name. E.g., “Residency Teaching Artist - John

Smith.” No calls, please.

Additional Information

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of

employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a

comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of

employees assigned to this job. The Unusual Suspects provides equal employment

opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national

origin, age, disability, or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of

employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall,

transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.