Summer Education Camp Instructors- Illionois Shakespeare Festival 2026

Illinois State•Normal, IL

21h•Onsite

About The Position

This posting is collecting applications for Summer Camp Instructors for the 2026 Illinois Shakespeare Festival. The Illinois Shakespeare Festival Education Camp Instructor position will allow you to closely work with professional theatre educators and artists. You will have the opportunity to learn more about professional practices for theatre education. The skills required for success in this field are best learned by doing, and this summer, you will be given the opportunity to experience planning, developing, and teaching theatre to a variety of students. In addition to getting the chance to practice the craft in a professional setting, you will be making valuable professional contacts that will serve you after graduation. The instructor position runs mid-June through July. You will be expected to work during the spring semester to plan and develop curriculum for the summer programming in conjunction with the Education Directors. In this role, the Assistant Teacher works in collaboration with the Education Supervisor to plan and implement engaging educational activities for Illinois Shakespeare Festival youth camps. They contribute to the development of theatre curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students, creating age- and ability-appropriate lesson plans and facilitating dynamic learning experiences in the classroom. The Assistant Teacher collaborates closely with fellow educators and guest theatre practitioners, including actors, directors, and designers, to enrich student learning and connect classroom work to professional practice. They prioritize strong classroom management, preparedness, and professional teaching dispositions, arriving each day ready with materials and a clear instructional plan. Central to their work is maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where student well-being is the top priority. The Assistant Teacher adheres to all University and Illinois Shakespeare Festival policies and procedures, upholds a clean and respectful workspace, and contributes to a positive and efficient working atmosphere. They remain committed to professional standards, including compliance with health and safety guidelines, and ensure that all work is conducted responsibly, respectfully, and with integrity. The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is a professional repertory theatre company that produces Shakespeare and contemporary plays every summer at the beautiful Ewing Cultural Center in Bloomington, Illinois. The Festival hires professional Directors, Designers, Actors, and production personnel and offers a variety of internships to students from Illinois State University and other colleges and universities. The Festival sells an average of 10,000 tickets per year, is supported by Illinois State University and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival Society, and is preparing for its 48th season.

Requirements

Ability to work mid-June through July.
Expected to work during the spring semester to plan and develop curriculum.
Strong classroom management.
Preparedness.
Professional teaching dispositions.
Adherence to all University and Illinois Shakespeare Festival policies and procedures.
Commitment to professional standards, including compliance with health and safety guidelines.
Proof of eligibility for employment at Illinois State University.
Valid Social Security Number registered with the University at the time of employment and/or as soon after as possible, but no later than 45 days from the start date.
For student employees: restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held (International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work more when the university is not in session).

Responsibilities

Closely work with professional theatre educators and artists.
Learn more about professional practices for theatre education.
Experience planning, developing, and teaching theatre to a variety of students.
Work during the spring semester to plan and develop curriculum for the summer programming in conjunction with the Education Directors.
Execute assigned tasks as instructed by the Education Directors.
Collaborate with the Education Supervisor to plan and implement engaging educational activities for Illinois Shakespeare Festival youth camps.
Contribute to the development of theatre curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students.
Create age- and ability-appropriate lesson plans.
Facilitate dynamic learning experiences in the classroom.
Collaborate closely with fellow educators and guest theatre practitioners, including actors, directors, and designers, to enrich student learning and connect classroom work to professional practice.
Prioritize strong classroom management, preparedness, and professional teaching dispositions.
Arrive each day ready with materials and a clear instructional plan.
Maintain a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where student well-being is the top priority.
Adhere to all University and Illinois Shakespeare Festival policies and procedures.
Uphold a clean and respectful workspace.
Contribute to a positive and efficient working atmosphere.
Remain committed to professional standards, including compliance with health and safety guidelines.
Ensure that all work is conducted responsibly, respectfully, and with integrity.