Upper School Director of Drama

Reports To: Upper School Division Head

Work Schedule: Regular, Full-Time Teaching Schedule

POSITION SUMMARY

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School seeks a dynamic, energetic, and experienced Upper School Drama teacher to instruct 7th through 12th grade students. The Middle & Upper School Drama Teacher is responsible for introducing Upper and Middle school students to the fundamentals of theatre through engaging, age-appropriate instruction. This role fosters creativity, collaboration, confidence, and self-expression by teaching acting skills, voice and movement, improvisation, and basic stagecraft. The teacher designs and delivers lessons aligned with curriculum standards, integrates literacy and social-emotional learning, and creates a supportive, inclusive classroom environment. The Middle & Upper School Drama teacher also plans and directs student performances or showcases - both curricular and extracurricular - collaborating with classroom teachers and staff, and assessing student progress while encouraging a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Teach Drama to Upper School students as assigned and help design, refine, and implement a developmentally-appropriate curriculum.
• Work in a Director capacity with the Lower School Drama Teacher, overseeing the Kindergarten play, LS Talent Show, and directing a fourth grade play.
• Auditioning, rehearsing and directing an extracurricular Middle School Play in the fall, and auditioning, rehearsing, and co-directing MS Ensemble in the Spring musical with the other Drama teacher.
• Possess a working knowledge of theatre facilities operation or be willing to learn (Element 2 lightboard, soundboard operation, Qlab software).
• Assist with set, prop and costume storage organization.
• Maintain a classroom environment that supports engaging instruction.
• Write daily/weekly lesson plans that align with the curricular learning objectives and national arts standards.
• Collaborate with the other Fine Arts Teachers and as a member of the Fine Arts Department to provide a cohesive learning experience.
• Assess and document student work.

• Be willing to help plan and chaperone theatre festival trips - at least once per year.
• Maintain open lines of communication with parents via email, phone calls, and face-to-face interactions.
• Attend and support school events related to admissions, athletics, and related arts (e.g. concerts, theater, and class programs).
• Support the School's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts.
• Participate in professional development activities related to Theater instruction, general pedagogy, social-emotional topics, and instructional technology.
• Supervise and direct students during times of transition, in the classroom and hallways, during recess/lunch duties.
• Complete required Human Resources training each year (CPR, AED, first aid, mandatory reporting, handling of hazardous materials, etc.).
• Support the School's Mission and culture.

SPECIFIC JOB SKILLS

The ideal candidate will:

• Have thorough knowledge of theatrical pedagogy and educational and/or professional directing experience.
• Possess strong administrative skills, specifically related to crafting rehearsal schedules that meets the needs of the students, composing regular communications and updates to families and students, designing costume plots, organizing and planning student trips to festivals.
• Remain adaptable in the face of any budgetary or space constraints.
• Enjoy working with, and have a thorough understanding of, the specific developmental needs of adolescents and teenagers.
• Use a variety of assessment techniques and possess strong instructional and classroom management skills.
• Demonstrate energy, empathy, flexibility, and a collaborative mindset.
• Communicate effectively and maintain an organized classroom.
• Support the School by upholding policies and procedures as outlined in the school's handbooks.
• Support the School's Episcopal identity and practices.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred
• Experience in Middle and Upper school education preferred

Working Conditions

• Expansive school campus with 122+ acres, must be able to travel between buildings independently.
• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending may be required throughout the day at various intervals
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs

A FINAL NOTE

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to its success. That contribution is not limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

To apply visit our career center using this site: https://heathwood.isolvedhire.com/jobs/

NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School participates in E-Verify, as mandated by South Carolina law. This position will require a Criminal Background Check.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://heathwood.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1739821-586433.html

About Heathwood Hall Episcopal School

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (HHES) is an independent, Episcopal day school founded in 1951 that serves 730+ children ages 2 through Grade 12. Just minutes away from the urban grandeur of South Carolina’s capital city, Heathwood Hall is a serene, environmental oasis nestled on 122 acres of wooded wetlands. The campus is bordered on the west by the Congaree River, and on the north, east and south by lush farmlands. HHES has long been known as Columbia’s premier independent school. Its tradition of academic excellence is coupled with a longstanding commitment to experiential learning that has led to the development of many distinctive programs. Holding true to its Episcopal heritage, HHES celebrates and seeks to develop the whole child, and to develop tenacious, sophisticated thinkers who value service to others over self-interest. HHES further supports the development of the whole child through a rich array of extracurricular offerings that create ample opportunities for students to find and nurture their passions beyond the classroom. HHES believes that children learn best when they are truly known and supported by their teachers. The school’s abiding commitment to bui...lding strong relationships between students and teachers allows the opportunity for each child to be met where they are in their educational and developmental journey, as opposed to taking a one-size-fits-all approach. While HHES’s outcomes are second-to-none—its students compete nationally and achieve at the highest levels—each student’s Heathwood experience is unique, reflective of his or her interests and abilities, challenges and talents, goals and ethos. HHES graduates don’t just master the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and beyond; they know themselves, and know how to advocate for themselves, in ways that set them apart from most of their peers. They leave Heathwood prepared not only to take on our dynamic world, but to transform it. While the school community includes members of many faith traditions, Heathwood is an Episcopal School where all students and faculty gather, by school division, for worship and prayer each Wednesday in the on-campus Chapel of the Epiphany. The school is affiliated with the Episcopal diocese and benefits from a supportive Episcopal community in Columbia. It is a school that engenders strong loyalty and strong connections, and promotes an authentic spirit of inclusivity, acceptance, and care for each individual. Today, HHES seeks an experienced development professional who appreciates the culture of this exemplary place, shares it values, and will cultivate relationships and gifts to ensure the betterment of the school. The Community | Columbia, South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina is a city convenient to mountains and beaches. In just two hours you can be on a beach in Charleston, SC or head the opposite direction two hours toward the upstate and find yourself in the mountains. Sporting News recently recognized Columbia as one of the “Best Sports Cities;” residents love to support their local college teams including the University of South Carolina’s Gamecocks. The city also has a more refined side and is home to the Columbia Museum of Art, the SC Philharmonic Orchestra, the Columbia City Ballet, and a myriad of performing arts groups. Columbia has received numerous accolades for its cost of living, climate, job outlook, education, the arts, health care and recreation.

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Connections working at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School