Theatre Job Openings

Brief School Description:
The Tennessee Governors' School for the Arts (GSFTA) is a summer program devoted to the training of high school juniors and seniors from around the state of Tennessee in the visual and performing arts. Students apply for admission and are selected by interview and audition. From well over 1,000 applicants, approximately 230 students are chosen to participate in the school.

The school is made up of five disciplines: Dance, Music, Theatre, Filmmaking and Visual Art.

The THEATRE AREA, for which all of the following positions are intended, is made up of 30 students. The Theatre Area mounts a production during the school. All scenery, lighting, costumes, sound, and make-up are executed during these 28 days, as well as a full rehearsal process. The final production, part of the all-school finale, takes place during the last three days of the school.

The school is hosted from June 6 to July 2, 2009 on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (30 miles southeast of Nashville).

In addition to studies in the above areas, there are evening performances by visiting groups, such as symphonies, ballets, theatrical groups, performance artists, etc. during the school, as well as an interdisciplinary aspect to the program for the students.

Facilities:
The theatre facilities of MTSU include a 985 seat proscenium theatre with apron and 25 line sets, and a partially trapped stage. A fully equipped scene and light shop is located immediately off left of the stage. Support facilities include a costume construction studio, make-up studio, dressing rooms, and small studio theatre space.

During the program, almost all facilities and resources of the MTSU Theatre program are at the disposal of the GSFTA Theatre Program.

It would be helpful for potential faculty applicants to read through the counselor section of this page, as it will supply insight into the operation of the theatre program.

Common Responsibilities, Descriptions & Information:
The following are duties, responsibilities, and job descriptions shared by all members of the Theatre Faculty. They are part of the contract you will sign upon being offered employment.

• All faculty must be on campus from June 6, 2010 through July 2, 2010, or during the time designated in the case of shorter term contracts.
• No outside employment that would take the faculty off campus or interfere with their school duties during the duration of their contract is allowed.
• Housing is provided on campus via the university dormitory system. All faculty have private rooms with shared baths and all school faculty share the same dormitory. Faculty may live off campus at their discretion, however the GSFTA will not reimburse faculty for any expenses should they choose to live off campus at any point during the school. (Housing is provided on-campus in addition to faculty stipend).
• Three meals per day are provided in addition to housing. Meals are served at 7:00 AM, 12:00 NOON, and 5:00 PM. Food and seating is cafeteria style. (Meals are provided in addition to faculty stipend).
• Faculty in the Theatre Area are expected to be available from 8:00 AM until 9:00 PM during the contract period, whether involved in teaching, mounting the production, or researching. This does not mean they must be in the shops or rehearsals all this time - free time occurs fairly regularly, as not all faculty teach classes in each session.
• The school's approach to teaching is very "conservatory" oriented. There are few "classroom meetings". Most teaching is done in a hands-on approach. Both morning and afternoon are broken up into two sessions of two hours each. All theatre students are rotated through these sessions. It is expected that students will have a significant contribution to the creative process from all aspects.
• All students will participate in all areas of the process and classes. Each student will study performance, scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, and make-up. While there will be experiences in all areas, there will be some specialization.
• All stipends for all positions will be paid on the last day of the school after final area checkout. All faculty must stay until the theatre facilities are returned to the condition they were in upon arrival. The Theatre Chair will make the determination when that requirement is met. As each faculty completes the final clean up of his or her area, that faculty will then assist others areas in their final clean up. Faculty will be released as a group - we all work together until the very end.
• All positions will require advance planning work by all faculty members so that the production is conceptualized prior to arrival on site. It is most fruitful for the students, however, if all final design decisions are not made prior to arrival, so that the students may participate as much as possible in the design process.
• Being on the faculty is a full-time commitment. Faculty must serve not only as teachers for the students, but as mentors, examples, and leaders for the students as well.
• In addition to faculty, there are seven counselor positions filled by college level juniors and seniors, or higher.
• Application requirements for all faculty positions include a minimum of an MFA in their respective field, or equivalent professional experience. In addition, all applicants should have the dedication and patience to work with a group of theatre students.
• All candidates should submit the following application materials.
• • Submit a cover letter
  • Submit a counselor application
  • Submit two letters of recommendation
  • Current resume
• Applications will be accepted beginning March 20, 2010 and will remain open until filled.

SPECIFIC Faculty Positions and Duties:

The 2010 school will have a wide-ranging faculty, from acting, movement, stage combat, and vocal specialists to all areas of design and technology. There will be a limited number of four week, full-time contracts. In addition, there will be several two to three week contracts available during the school.

The TENNESSEE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS is an equal opportunity, non-racially identifiable, educational institution that does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.

Feel free to email questions to the Dean of Students

Common Responsibilities, Descriptions & Information:
The following are duties, responsibilities, and job descriptions shared by all Theatre Counselors. They are part of the contract you will sign upon being offered employment.

• All counselors must be on campus from June 3, 2010 through July 2, 2010.
• No outside employment during the run of the school is allowed.
• Housing is provided on campus via the university dormitory system. Counselors will either have private rooms or may be paired with a second counselor. (No requests.) Counselors live in the same dormitories with the students, and are assigned as floor supervisors in the dorms. COUNSELORS MUST LIVE ON CAMPUS IN THE DORMITORIES!
• Three meals per day are provided in addition to all housing. Meals are served at 7:00 AM, 12:00 NOON, and 5:00 PM. Food and seating are cafeteria style. (Meals are provided in addition to counselor stipend). Counselors must eat all meals with the students.
• Counselors in the Theatre Area are expected to be on campus around the clock (unless excused by the Theatre Division Chair and the Dean of Students), whether involved in assisting faculty, mounting the production, researching, or supervising the dormitories. Counselors are also expected to remain in the dorms in the evening, unless officially "checked out" by the Dean of Students. Additional duties will be assigned by the Dean of Students.
• Counselors serve a dual function at the school. First, they serve as an assistant to one of the theatre faculty members to assist with the teaching of classes and the mounting of the production. Areas of expertise sought include scenic construction/painting, lighting & sound technology, properties construction, stage management, costume technology, and make-up, performance and administration. Second, the counselors supervise the students in the dormitory setting, as well as at meals and evening events. Counselors supervise check-in, bed check, and generally serve as chaperons / role models. Counselors must attend all school functions, setting an example for the students as leaders.
• Counselors are perhaps the most demanding positions at the school. Counselors serve as administrators, teaching assistants, and friends to the student. Dedication and hard work are absolutely necessary for these positions. It is also absolutely necessary that counselors adhere to and enforce school policy, for both the protection of the student and the school's liability. There are many policies of the school that are not open to interpretation, and as such, failure of a counselor to enforce them will result in termination of employment. Applicants should also be skilled in the area of theatre corresponding to the counselor position they seek. For example, the Make Up Counselor should have a good back ground in theatrical make up. Please indicate in your application materials the specific area(s) of theatre you are applying for, as well as if you would be willing to accept appointment in a another area.
• All counselors must stay until the theatre facilities are returned to the condition they were in upon arrival. The Theatre Division Chair will make the determination of when that requirement is met. As each area completes it's final clean up of that area, those counselors will then assist others areas in their final clean up. Counselors will be released as a group - we all work together until the very end.
• Preference will be given to college level juniors or seniors with experience in the corresponding field. In addition, all applicants should have the dedication and patience to work with a group of theatre students. It is critically important that counselors realize that the students they are supervising are minors - both legally and psychologically. Additionally, all applicants will be interviewed by both the Theatre Division Chair and the Dean of Students.
• All counselor candidates should submit the following application materials.
• Counselor Application Process :
  • Submit a cover letter
  • Submit a counselor application
  • Submit two letters of recommendation using recommendation form
  • Current resume
• Applications should be received by the Dean of Students by March 20, 2009, to ensure inclusion in process. Decisions will be made in a timely manner, but positions will be open until filled.

Mail all application materials to:

SPECIFIC Counselor Positions and Duties:

Scenic / Technical Direction Counselor

Responsible for supervising students (in conjunction with the faculty) in the construction of all scenery for the production, as well as general counselor duties. This is a full-time position, which includes assisting the faculty Scenic Designer / TD. Also, it is expected that this position, as with all positions, will participate in all school activities and Convocations.

Properties Counselor

Responsible for supervising students (in conjunction with the faculty) in the construction and acquisition of all props for the production, as well as general counselor duties. This is a full-time position, which includes assisting the faculty Scenic Designer / TD in construction of scenery, as necessary. Also, it is expected that this position, as with all positions, will participate in all school activities and Convocations.

Lighting / Sound Counselor

Responsible for supervising students (in conjunction with the faculty) in the hanging / rigging of all lights / sound for the production, as well as general counselor duties. This is a full-time position, which includes assisting the faculty Lighting Designer. Also, it is expected that this position, as with all positions, will participate in all school activities and Convocations.

Costume Counselor

Responsible for supervising students (in conjunction with the faculty) in the construction of all costumes for the production, as well as general counselor duties. This is a full-time position, which includes assisting the faculty Costume Designer. Also, it is expected that this position, as with all positions, will participate in all school activities and Convocations.

Make Up/Costume Counselor

Responsible for supervising students (in conjunction with the faculty) in the execution of all make-up effects for the production, as well as general counselor duties. This is a full-time position, which includes assisting the faculty Costume Designer in the construction of costumes as necessary. Also, it is expected that this position, as with all positions, will participate in all school activities and Convocations.

Performance Counselor

Responsible for assisting the Director in the mounting of the production, specifically in preparation for the performance aspects of the school, as well as general counselor duties. A strong background in performance techniques and directing are required. It is expected that this position, as with all positions, will participate in all school activities and Convocations.

The TENNESSEE GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS is an equal opportunity, non-racially identifiable, educational institution that does not discriminate against individuals with disabilities.