Description:

PlayMakers Laboratory (PML) is an arts education nonprofit that teaches creative writing in Chicago elementary schools and then brings students' stories to life on stage. PML is a community of approximately 60 passionate actor-educators who value the creative voices of young people. Performers adapt the stories written by our students into sketches, songs, and poems, which are then performed for the school community as well as for the public. PML is seeking actor-educators of all ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and silhouettes who have great collaborative skills, improvisation abilities, and a passion for working with and performing for youth.

Ideal candidates have experience in sketch, musical theatre, and/or devising original work. They are skilled teaching artists and have experience working in schools, with young people, and performing throughout the city.

PlayMakers Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer.

PlayMakers Laboratory is especially seeking performers who reflect the cultural backgrounds of the students we serve, who are primarily Black and Latino students on the South and West sides of Chicago. We are also seeking musicians who can underscore (on keys) and adapt student stories into musical numbers. Fluency in Spanish is also highly desirable.

Above all, we are looking for artists who are passionate about the work we do and the young people with whom we collaborate.

Expectations: Artistic Associates who are cast are expected to perform in 2 to 4 school-based shows during the 2024/25 school year; Each show includes 6 three-hour devising rehearsals and a final performance at the school amounting to 21 hours total. The entire show process occurs over a period of two-weeks, and we produce shows throughout the year, providing flexibility in scheduling which shows Artistic Associates can sign up for based on their other work schedules. In addition we ask that artistic associates become oriented with our in-school curriculum, so that they can opt to participate in paid teaching opportunities as they arise. After an Artistic Associate fulfills these expectations for one school year, they may become candidates for Company Membership to continue working with PlayMakers Lab.

Pay for Performance: Performer Pay is $349.50/show process & Stage Manager/Director pay is $399/show process (pay reflects 18hrs of rehearsal and a single final in-person performance at an elementary school);

Pay for Teaching: Typical pay for a day of teaching is $94.50/day, which includes 1 hour of prep and 3 hours of in-class instruction (pay reflects competitive hourly rates for teaching and varies depending partnership and number of hours). Teaching artists teach on a team of 3 or 4 PlayMaker TAs.