Shakespeare Laboratory Teaching Artist - Per Diem

Job Summary

92NY School Engagement in the Arts brings arts residencies, performances, and learning experiences to thousands of K-12 students and educators across New York City each year.

We are seeking theater, English language arts, and arts education practitioners to lead Shakespeare Laboratory residencies in NYC public schools. The program helps students experience Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet through performance, storytelling, writing, improvisation, close reading, and creative collaboration.

This role uses a pre-developed curriculum to make classical text active, accessible, and meaningful for students. The residency includes classroom sessions that prepare students for a live in-school performance of Romeo and Juliet by professional actors and an interactive talkback.

Assignments may take place in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan, with priority given to candidates available to teach in Queens and Brooklyn.

Job Responsibilities Include

• Facilitate Shakespeare Laboratory residencies in New York City public schools using an established curriculum, culminating in an in-school performance by a professional touring acting company.
• Lead grade-appropriate theater and literacy activities connected to Romeo and Juliet, including close reading, scene work, storytelling, writing, improvisation, and discussion.
• Help students connect classroom work to the culminating live performance and talkback.
• Adapt instruction in collaboration with classroom teachers and school staff to support students with diverse learning needs.
• Foster a positive classroom environment that supports participation, collaboration, creative risk-taking, and student voice.
• Attend the culminating in-school performance and support student engagement as needed.
• Participate in required trainings, curriculum meetings, planning meetings, and professional development.
• Communicate consistently with 92NY staff, classroom teachers, and school partners.
• Arrive prepared for each residency and manage scripts, materials, and classroom needs.
• Complete required program documentation, including photos, attendance records, student reflections, or other materials requested by 92NY.

Experience, Education, & Skills Desired

• Bachelor's degree in Theater Education, English Language Arts, Arts Education, or a related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience teaching theater, drama, English language arts, or arts-integrated instruction in public schools or comparable educational settings preferred.
• Strong understanding of Shakespeare's language, themes, and plays, with the ability to make classical text accessible and engaging for students.
• Experience leading theater-based literacy activities, including close reading, creative writing, scene work, improvisation, storytelling, or public speaking.
• Experience adapting instruction for students with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
• Ability to engage and support groups of students through active, participatory instruction.
• Strong classroom management, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Current fingerprint clearance through the New York City and New York State Departments of Education preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency and/or experience working with multilingual learners preferred.

Work Environment & Requirements

Applicants should be available for professional development and planning meetings with 92NY staff in September/October 2026. Teaching takes place during regular school hours, 8:00 AM-2:30 PM, with occasional after-school hours, 2:30-5:00 PM, from October 2026-April 2027.

Residency sessions typically consist of 45-minute class periods. Teaching Artists may lead one to four classes during each school visit, with schedules determined by school assignment.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should forward a resume and a cover letter.

Due to a high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to contact those applicants whose experience most aligns with the position profile.

Compensation

$113 per class session.

Additional compensation is provided for curriculum meetings with 92NY staff, event attendance, and planning meetings with school partners.