Job Description: Theatre School Coordinator

Position Overview and Context

Young People’s Theatre, Newcastle, Inc. (YPT), a not-for profit organisation registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profit Commission, is the premier theatrical training institution for youth in the Hunter and has nurtured the careers of many young people with aspirations to continue in the industry. It has provided training and performance opportunities for young people between the ages of 8 and 18 for almost 75 years. YPT stages an annual season of productions to provide performance opportunities for the approximately 400 students in the YPT Theatre School.

The Theatre School Coordinator is potentially a permanent part time position but will start as short term contract. By virtue of this role, the Theatre School Coordinator is a member of the management team, ie. the working group which plans and implements policies to maintain the focus for the organisation. The Theatre School Coordinator is required to support the YPT values of equity, commitment and inclusivity and to maintain a positive environment for students, parents and volunteers. In making decisions in the best interest of the organisation, the Theatre School Coordinator is supervised by the Theatre Manager and employed by the YPT Executive. The Theatre School Coordinator has day-to-day responsibility for the tutors who work in the Theatre School.

Key duties will include but are not be limited to:

• maintaining age appropriate developmental drama programs for students in years 2 to 12; facilitating tutor access to resources; providing teaching guidelines, visiting classes; providing guidance and feedback
• monitoring student attendance on Class Maestro; monitoring student behaviour, monitoring and following up on Dress Code; maintaining diary of class visits, tutoring advice/support; recording parent/carer interviews; notifing the Theatre Manager of any/all issues and incidents with staff or students and any behaviour which may be indicative of student mental health issues; recording student health/ social/ behavioural matters; recording as directed
• organizing replacement staff for absent tutors
• implementing plans to support Theatre School events including Showcase and Think Beyond Drama events
• evaluating tutor performance; maintaining a record of appraisals; providing appropriate individual feedback and/or counselling; recording feedback; supporting the Beginning Tutor Program
• facilitating tutor meetings/workshops; preparing agenda items as required, ie. Theatre School programs, sharing good practice, student management, professional development, etc

The Theatre School Coordinator is a financial member of YPT, with a current employment based Working with Children Clearance, who adheres to the YPT Constitution and policies including the Theatre School Policy and the Code of Conduct for Executive Members, Employees, Volunteers and Appointed Officers.

Key competencies include the ability to:

• promote organisational philosophy and goals
• diplomatically handle challenging interpersonal situations
• promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals
• see the big, long-range picture
• work in busy environments with conflicting priorities
• manage projects
• adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities

Essential Criteria

• effective leadership in a collaborative environment
• demonstrated teaching/tutoring/training experience
• demonstrated ability to work with young people
• commitment to support emerging talent across the production areas
• IT skills and confidence to work with or to learn existing systems

While remuneration and hours of work will be negotiated based on skills and experience of successful applicant, the position will be up to 15 hours

The role of the Theatre School Coordinator may be offered as either a short term contract or a permanent part time position, which can be discussed further during recruitment.

Application

Please apply by emailing to ypt@ypt.org.au:

• an up-to-date CV, including evidence of credentials, and a
• a covering letter (no more than 2 pages) addressing the Essential

Applications Close: Friday 4 November, 2022

Proposed date for interviews: Wednesday 16 November, 2022