Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is hiring Teaching Artists for our nationally recognized Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) 2026. Available roles are temporary, full-time positions beginning June 1, 2026 and ending no later than August 5, 2026. Exact start dates depend on the role. The STEP Technical Assistant earns $650/week, the STEP Teaching Artist earns $685/week, and the STEP Technical Director and Lead Teacher earns $850/week. Set salaries are based on candidate experience and range of skills. 

JOB TITLES & DESCRIPTIONS 

STEP Technical Director and Lead Teacher

The artist in this role supervises a group of teenage Tech Ensemble members in implementing the set and sound needs for the STEP outdoor touring production, including a basic sound system and a 16′ x 20′ stage. The STEP TD/Lead Teacher gives six hours of daily instruction in technical theatre skills and supervises teens while building scenic elements. The position requires extended hours closer to production but will average 40–50 hours a week. This role serves as the supervisor for the STEP Tech Assistant and reports to the Director of Education. 

STEP Technical Assistant

The artist in this role supports the STEP TD/Lead Teacher in supervising the work of the STEP Tech Ensemble and reports to the STEP TD. The position may require some extended hours closer to production but will average 40–50 hours a week. 

STEP Teaching Artists

The artists in these roles have strong playwriting, acting, music, and/or dance skills and are integral in guiding young artists in the creation of an original performance which tours throughout the greater Cleveland area. The position may require some extended hours but will average 40 hours a week. STEP TAs report to the STEP Director & Program Manager as well as the Director of Education. 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

CPT’s Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) is an arts-based job training program that engages Cleveland teens in a powerful, eight-week intensive (four weeks for Technical Ensemble) that focuses on excellence in performance, play creation, physical theatre, writing, production, and set design/construction. Students ages 14–19, presenting a wide range of performance experience, are eligible for participation and earn money while learning and practicing valuable job skills such as timeliness, communication, commitment, and teamwork. Under the guidance of CPT artists, teens develop an original play and then tour it to public green spaces, theatres, and community organizations throughout the city of Cleveland. Since its beginning in 1994, STEP has received multiple awards and recognitions, including those from the City of Cleveland, The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Celebrating over 30 years of empowering artmaking, STEP is the longest running arts-based job training program in Cleveland and has been utilized as an international model for engaging youth. STEP ensembles see themselves as a positive and inspirational force and are able to witness their work’s invaluable impact on the larger Cleveland community. Youth are onsite approximately six hours a day during creation and work through an adjusted schedule while on tour. 

STEP TECHNICAL DIRECTOR/LEAD TEACHING ARTIST RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 

• Collaborating with full STEP creative team and CPT staff from applicable departments to successfully present outdoor performances during a two-week tour with teen artists 

• Leading/supporting the management of a two-week local tour with teens 

• Creating and implementing curriculum providing foundational instruction on set design, set construction, properties work, lighting, sound, and stage setup to teen artists from July 6 to no later than August 5 from 9:30am–5:30pm, M–F

• Hours will shift when on tour (July 23–August 2) and are TBD until the performance schedule is finalized. Performances typically take place during afternoon and evening hours. 

• Serving as a strong role model for youth 

• Sharing relevant communication with parents/guardians 

• Supervising STEP Tech Assistant, managing assignments and support 

• Leading and assisting in production needs, including but not limited to set design, set construction, sound support, set up, and strike of stage platforms 

• Driving tour production truck (small box truck, no special license required)  

• Operating minivan and/or 12-passenger van to transport materials and/or STEP artists to and from performance sites 

• Complete training (June 1–5, 9am–5pm) *This represents the STEP TA Training Schedule. The STEP Technical Director will join a portion of this training with additional time for lesson creation and shop setup during this week.  

• Create detailed and accurate lesson plans, attendance records, and session progress notes for the program as indicated by Director of Education 

• Attending meetings with Director of Education and wider STEP Team to share outline highlights, session progress, questions and challenges of program implementation  

• This position earns $850/week. 

Additional Information

• Beginning July 6, youth are onsite for approximately six hours a day, Monday–Friday (11am–5pm), with adjusted hours during the tour. The last day of the program for youth will be August 2, 2026. 

STEP TECHNICAL ASSISTANT RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: 

• Collaborating with full STEP creative team and CPT staff from applicable departments to successfully present outdoor performances during a two-week tour with teens 

• Supporting the management of a two-week local tour with teens 

• Supporting the implementation of curriculum and assisting during instruction around set design, set construction, properties work, lighting, sound, and stage setup from July 6 to no later than August 5 from 9:30am–5:30pm, M–F  

• Hours will shift when on tour (July 23–August 2) and are TBD until the performance schedule is finalized.

• Leading and/or assisting in sound and stage setup 

• Executing basic set construction support 

• Serving as a strong role model for youth 

• Sharing relevant communication with parents/guardians 

• Driving tour production truck (small box truck, no special license required) 

• Operating minivan and/or 12-passenger van to transport materials and/or STEP artists to and from performance sites 

• Complete training (June 1–5, 9am–5pm) *This represents the STEP TA Training Schedule. The STEP Tech Lead will join a portion of this training with additional time for lesson creation and shop setup during this week. 

• Maintain accurate attendance records and session progress notes for the program as indicated by STEP Technical Director and Lead Teacher 

• Attending meetings with Director of Education and wider STEP Team to share outline highlights, session progress, questions and challenges of program implementation  

• This position earns $650/week. 

Additional Information

• Beginning July 6, youth are onsite for approximately six hours a day, Monday–Friday (11am–5pm), with adjusted hours during the tour. The last day of the program for youth will be August 2, 2026. 

TO APPLY:

Interested STEP Technical Director/Lead Teacher AND STEP Technical Assistant candidates should email a cover letter of interest, a resume, and three references to Melissa Crum, Director of Education, mcrum@cptonline.org. The subject header should read: [LAST NAME], STEP Technical Director/Lead Teacher or STEP Technical Assistant. No phone calls, please.

STEP TEaching artist responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the creation and performance of a one-hour devised piece to be toured outdoors throughout Cleveland 

• Following pedagogical practices as set forth by CPT Education leadership, creatively co-create a curriculum for and instruct youth in devised theatre and performing arts techniques 

• Assisting STEP Director in all areas of program facilitation, applying their skill in playwriting, dance, music, and/or acting in the implementation of program curriculum 

• Modeling young artist expectations throughout the creative process 

• Implementing all notes and directions given by STEP Director 

• Attending pre- and post-session meetings 

• Discussing class plans before implementation and make necessary adjustments 

• Sharing relevant communication with parents/guardians 

• Documenting plans and implementation of programming 

• Evaluating students and the STEP program 

• Purchasing materials as needed 

• Properly recording expenses according to preset guidelines, as applicable 

• Completing week of training (June 1–5, 9am–5pm) 

• Attending work hours (June 8–August 5, M–F, 9:30am–5:30pm)

• Hours will shift when on tour (July 23–August 2) and are TBD until the performance schedule is finalized.

• This position earns $685/week. 

TO APPLY: 

Interested STEP TA candidates should email a cover letter of interest, a resume, and three references to Melissa Crum, Director of Education, mcrum@cptonline.org. The subject header should read: [LAST NAME], STEP Teaching Artist. No phone calls, please. 

CPT STAFF DESCRIPTION 

CPT cares passionately about reflecting our community and pursuing equity at all levels of the organization. We value hard work, kindness, generosity, grace, and passion. CPT is an internationally recognized center for contemporary performance. Our mission is to raise consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking performances and life-changing education programs. CPT implements this mission through our theatrical season, featuring eight to 10 adventurous professional productions and a robust series of new play development programs that support writers and devisers at multiple points in the creative process. Historically, a majority of plays produced at CPT are by BIPOC artists and women. Our acclaimed education programs engage communities in devising new works that speak to contemporary issues and empower participants to work for positive change in our community. CPT is home to Cleveland CORE Ensemble as well as community ensembles Teatro Público de Cleveland and Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi. CPT’s annual budget is around $3 million per year. We currently have 21 full-time staff members.