About the Flato Markham Theatre
City of Markham’s Flato Markham Theatre is one of Canada’s premier theatre houses serving the GTA and Markham residents. With over 300 live performances each year, the multi-disciplinary theatre presents performances showcasing the vast cultural diversity of the community. The Discovery Program is an inclusive community engagement initiative offered by Flato Markham Theatre that provides interactive arts programming and outreach including the Every Child, Every Year Program, outreach initiatives and specialized Performing Arts Camps.
About the Discovery Performing Arts Camps
The Discovery Performing Arts Camps, offered for more than 20 years in Markham, is a high-demand, inclusive program designed to engage youth as they develop life skills such as team work, confidence and self-expression through the performing arts. There are currently 6 different programs running in three locations (including the Flato Markham Theatre). These programs include; Kinder Camp (ages 4-5), Junior Stars (ages 6-8), Drama Camp (ages 9-11), Actor’s Workshop (ages 12-16), as well as theme-based Performing Arts Camps (ages 6-9 and 10-13). In 2018, more than 1,100 children were engaged through our camp programs with a waitlist of over 400. Each camp culminates with a full musical play performance. Junior Stars, Drama Camp and Actor’s Workshop produce a full length musical play on Thursday night of each session at the Flato Markham Theatre. Performing Arts Camp at Cornerstone performs on Friday afternoon at the Flato Markham Theatre and Kinder Camp performs at the end of their weekly session in the Kinder Camp gymnasium space.
Job Summary:
We are looking for a Choreographer who is creative, organized and adaptable to oversee and manage all the choreographic elements of the theatre’s Discovery Performing Arts Summer Camps.
Under the direction of the Discovery Program Coordinator and the Artistic Director, the Choreographer will oversee the choreographic program requirements during the planning and program delivery for the eight week Summer Camp program which culminates with a fully staged musical theatre production at the end of each two-week session. Through strategic programming choices, the Choreographer will enable children and/or youth to develop skills, make friends, socialize and build self-esteem. In addition, as the Choreographer, will be accountable for day-to-day choreographic requirements for all camp programming, operations while ensuring camp activities are safe, inclusive and high quality.
The Choreographer will assist the Artistic Director to oversee program delivery with approximately 40 staff including Head Program Instructors, Program Supervisors, Counsellors and Volunteers in regards to the choreographic components of all camp programming. The Choreographer will also be involved in the creative process of selecting and developing the dance and movement content for camp programming.
Detailed Job Description:
In conjunction with the overall program objectives outlined by the Discovery Program Coordinator and Camp Artistic Director, the Choreographer will:
Design, provide and implement a detailed program outline as it relates to all the choreographic programming of camp; including preparation outlines/timeline, details of the program, and learning outcomes for campers and staff for Kinder Camp, Junior Stars/Drama Camp, Actors Workshop, and Performing Arts Camp.
- Responsible for choreographing the dance elements of the FMT “Discovery Drama Camps” including Junior Stars, Drama Camp and Actors Workshop and overseeing the choreographic element of Kinder Camp and Performing Arts Camp during prep hours and other related tasks as required.
- Provide leadership to help create, rehearse and present camp performance on the Thursday night that includes all camp participants and on Friday for Performing Arts Camp
- Prioritize child well-being, safety and protection in all situations, programs and activities
- Serves as a liaison with parents, reinforcing City of Markham customer service, diversity and inclusion (special needs, ethno-cultural, English as second language, socio-economic).
- With the Artistic and Musical Director, plan and schedule camp staff resources, routines, schedules and procedures to ensure successful program delivery as it relates to the musical and dance components of camp
- Foster positive learning environment for all campers and staff
- Provide daily direction and support for all counsellors, head program instructors and other camp staff
- Teach daily performing arts related skills to campers
- Identify and request camp supplies in accordance to city policies and budget
- Reports all incidents promptly and thoroughly to the Theatre using incident/accident report forms and records, including registration information, permission and waiver forms and timesheets
- Provide daily direction and support to instructors, supervisors and counsellors as required
- Serves as a liaison with parents, reinforcing City of Markham customer service, diversity and inclusion (special needs, ethno-cultural, English as second language, socio-economic)
- Provide feedback and future recommendations to the Theatre upon conclusion of the camp
Education:
Post secondary education in Performing arts, with a strong background in dance, arts education and/or related field and/or experience as a professional in the performing arts industry as a Choreographer and/or dancer performer or performing arts educator/instructor specializing in dance.
Licenses/Certifications: Current Standard First Aid with CPR ‘C’ required; HIGH FIVE Healthy Child Development is required;
Bachelor of Education and Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) is an asset
Experience:
Minimum 4 years experience in a Choreographer/Leadership role and has demonstrated successful execution of similar programs for a large group of children of various ages.
Experience designing and delivering programs in dance with a focus on musical theatre for children.
Professional experience in youth arts education, musical theatre production and experience in a camp environment.
Skills:
- Ability to plan and execute all the choreographic elements of a musical theatre production from beginning stages to show day, including, but not limited to choreographing and teaching dance routines and movements to children, and setting basic choreographic elements for very large groups of children.
- Ability to lead dance workshops/classes for various ages and levels that are safe, inclusive and engaging.
- Set and breakdown/teach choreography to children for a musical theatre production.
- Enjoy working with children of all ages and be passionate about connecting, encouraging and inspiring camp staff to develop their skills as future arts educators.
- Strong verbal/written communication skills.
- Excellent customer service skills and sensitivity to interact with a diversity of parents and staff in a courteous and efficient manner.
- Demonstrates creativity and innovation in program planning skills and delivery.
- All offers of employment for this position will be conditional on satisfactory reference checks and vulnerable sector checks.
Contract
Work Dates:
Summer Camp: July 2 – August 23, 2019 (Paid Prep hours starts late May)
On-site Staff Training: week of June 24
An ideal candidate will have experience working with youth in an arts education environment as well as camp experience. They will have the skills to supervise and mentor young employees and volunteers. They will be able to provide detailed and meaningful performing arts-based programming.
We thank all applicants who apply, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The City of Markham is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. If you require accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.
Please apply with a resume and cover letter by April 22, 2019 at 5:00pm to Monica Pain, Discovery Program Coordinator at mpain@markham.ca
Please put the subject of your email: Application for Choreographer – Discovery Camps