Theatre Activity Specialist - Elementary (CQA, Elmhurst)

Theatre Activity for Elementary School Program, Elmhurst (CQA) Queens (Part-Time Position)
South Asian Youth Action (SAYA)

South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) is committed to providing its employees opportunities for growth in a supportive community environment. As an Activity Specialist, you will receive access to external opportunities and have considerable autonomy in designing and implementing new projects and curricula. With a school-day schedule and a generous benefits package, SAYA provides its employees a healthy work-life balance in a fast-growing youth development nonprofit.

SAYA: Belong. Grow. Thrive.

Organization Description:

Established in 1996, SAYA is a 501(c)3 youth development organization providing valuable life skills and holistic, impactful programming to underserved New York City youth. As one of the first South Asian organizations created in the United States, SAYA is the only organization of its kind in the NYC metropolitan area providing inclusive and secular comprehensive youth development services while centering our community’s experiences.

Our continued mission is addressing the critical need for culturally-affirming resources, mentorship, and academic support outside the classroom for low-income, immigrant youth. In order to meet these needs, all of our programs provide meaningful guidance to prepare for and complete educational transitions, including elementary to middle, middle to high school, and high school to college - as well as equipping youth for careers. Our consciously designed offerings provide ongoing individually adapted support and navigation during high school years, including throughout the college application process. During their time at SAYA, youth build vital social and emotional learning (SEL) and academic skills, as well as a sense of belonging and community which will help them thrive throughout their journeys. 

Position Summary: 

The Theatre Activity Specialist will provide enriching activities for elementary youth through enrichment, recreational and academic-based programming. In alignment with the Community School Initiative and PS 124’s Instructional Focus, all activities will support the needs of social emotional learning (SEL) and culturally-responsive sustaining education (CRSE), attendance intervention, as well as family and community-building. 

The Theatre Activity Specialist would be responsible for supporting the planning and facilitation of developing and facilitating sessions that cultivate student experiences in various skillsets in the theatre world, including different styles of acting, monologues, improvisation, as well as understanding the world of theatre production. 

Reports to: Program Director 

Compensation: $30-$45 an hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Must be available 2-5 days per week. This is an in-person position for the school year from September through June with potential rehire for summer and the following year

Responsibilities: 

● Plan and facilitate purposeful, engaging, and creative workshops, activities, events, and trips that explore sessions. These sessions should reflect SEL, culturally responsive sustaining education, and a social justice framework. Skillsets explored should include but not limited to: 

○ Engaging in different styles of acting methodology (Stanislavski, Chekov, etc) ○ Reading and Rehearsing monologues, scenes, scripts 

○ Practicing improvisation skills, games, and techniques 

○ Providing guidance on utilization of props, costumes, and stage presence 

● Prepare and facilitate sessions theatre-based activities 

● Actively recruit & retain club student participants 

● Support growth and training of club student leaders. 

● Supervise all activities to ensure the health, safety and well-being of program participants.

● Develop lesson plans of age-appropriate activities and themes that will support the development of social-emotional learning competencies and culturally responsive education. 

● Build positive relationships with youth and adults and serve as a role model with respect to demeanor, communication and overall attitude. 

● Ensure proper care of all spaces, equipment and materials; organize room and report any misused or damaged materials to the Program Director. 

● Complete and submit in a timely manner all program reports relative to this position, including but not limited to: supply requests, session guides, curriculum outlines, incident reports, attendance, and timesheets. 

● Actively participate in training sessions, designated meetings and special events. 

● Monitor and support students during field trips and outside activities with adherence to SAYA’s policies and procedures. 

● Collaborate with SAYA team to ensure integration, facilitation, and planning of club activities in connection with wider school events and initiatives. 

Qualifications: 

● Bachelor’s Degree preferred. 

● Minimum of 3 years of experience in facilitation, or equivalent training with elementary youth

● Minimum of 3 years experience in related work, skills, and/or experience to theatre arts field 

● Knowledge and understanding of youth development, after school and public education 

● Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and manage multiple priorities, people and projects effectively.

● Familiarity with incorporating social justice and culturally-responsive education into programming. 

● Experience in providing individualized and group instruction to meet the needs of youth with various levels of skills. 

● Experience designing and teaching courses to ensure youth success and supports youth-centered learning. 

Key Competencies 

Ideal candidate will excel in the following areas: 

■ Communication: The candidate will have the ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people including youth, teachers, school administrations, parents, and other staff. They will be able to work as part of a team with the school community and other SAYA programs. They will be able to consider situations from multiple perspectives in order to avoid and manage conflict. 

■ Flexibility: The candidate will be comfortable adapting to changing circumstances. They will be able to work with youth of various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds

SAYA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Employer.