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Traveling Players Ensemble offers robust summer programs for dedicated students (in grades 3-12) to perform classical plays in outdoor amphitheaters.  Selected as a “Summer School in the Arts” by the NEA, Traveling Players’ summer programs provide intensive theatre training to small troupes of actors.  Programs include outdoor rehearsals, classes, and outdoor public performances.  

 

Our most advanced program, Shakespeare Troupe, culminates in backpacking trips to perform their show, giving teens and pre-teens the experience of wandering entertainers who carry dinner, a tent, and props all in their trusty pack.  Traveling Players has performed at The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, Wolf Trap’s International Children’s Festival, and Colonial Williamsburg.

 

Our staff is our most valuable asset.  They have the privileged position and responsibility to play a significant role in a child’s life.  Former successful staff have said it was the hardest job they ever had – and the best job they ever had.  

Employment Information

  • Dates for Residential: June 19 – August 10.
    • Students are with us from June 28 – August 7 (6 weeks).
    • Staff orientation (June 19–28) and strike (August 8–10) are mandatory and paid.
    • Staff without First Aid & CPR should arrive on June 16 to receive free training on June 17-18.
    • International staff arrive on June 13 -14 and leave on August 10 -11.
    • Some staff can have their contracts extended to include June 13/14 to June 19.  Ask during interviews.
  • Location for Residential: In residence at Christchurch Boarding School in Saluda, VA.
    • Food and lodging are included in all contracts for residential staff.  There is a staff dormitory, yet many staff (including all Resident Assistants) will have rooms in the student dorm.  Staff do not share rooms with campers.
    • Our staff will live together in community for all 7 or 8 weeks.  Days off can be spent off-campus.
  • Day Camp: Our Studio in Tysons Corner Center.  Staff for Day Camps is full.  
  • Location for Day Camp: Our Studio in Tysons Corner Center.
  • Safety: You are required to have the COVID-19 vaccine (including a booster), the Measles vaccine, and a background check.
    • You will get a COVID test before arriving for orientation.
    • We are following recommendations from the American Camp Association and the Virginia Department of Health to determine our safety practices for the summer.
  • Staff training: Community First Aid, Safe Boundaries for students and staff (taught by a LSW – including appropriate language and touch, comprehensive mandated reporter laws, risk management, and social media), Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, and teaching strategies.  Plus, we’ll cover pitching tents, fire building, learning styles, low ropes, and ensemble building/training.
  • Internships: Artistic Director Jeanne E. Harrison, MA, MFA, has worked at universities and can supervise or liaise with your university for college credit.
  • Traveling Players Ensemble, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability in admissions to programs or in the administration of its employment policies.  We comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and make all reasonable accommodations.

To apply for any position, please:

Summer Positions

Directors serve as the most senior faculty member of a small ensemble of 12-13 performers, supported by an assistant director/acting coach/stage manager (1 person) and a design team.  Training and collaborating with your assistant director is expected, as is full engagement as a supervisor, mentor, and role model during non-artistic time to support camp community life.   Salary: $500 -$900/week plus room and board for 7-8 weeks. 

Directs one of these:

  • Comedy Ensemble (performers in grades 6-8 & 8-12) – performs multiple times on tour to a variety of audiences, especially underserved audiences (2 3-week sessions).
  • Shakespeare Ensemble (performers in grades 8-12): Much Ado about Nothing – performed twice (2 3-week sessions).

An ideal candidate will have the following skills and characteristics:

  • Have or be pursuing an MFA, or have professional directing experience in educational settings
  • Experience in and delight for directing students (ages 11-14 or 13-17)
  • Training in Shakespeare, improv, or Commedia dell’Arte
  • Belief in the power of the ensemble
  • Will work hard as a member of a supportive and collaborative team, both during rehearsals and throughout the camp, creating joy and supporting our students.  
  • Relish working outdoors – will happily pitch and sleep in a tent, help with a campout, and enjoy playing camp games with students while remaining a responsible role model
  • Experience with ensemble-building, low ropes, or Leave No Trace camping skills is a plus.

Functions as assistant director/acting coach for an ensemble, and teaches classes (to all grades) in the area of specialty (text, acting, movement/stage combat, improv, voice, etc).  Is a role model to campers and staff in attitude and behavior.  Salary: $350-$550/week plus room and board for 7 or 8 weeks.

Assists one of the following:

  • Mythology Ensemble (performers in grades 4-6): Perseus and Bellaphrone by Judith Walsh White – performed twice (2 2-week sessions), and the same staff teaches Act: FIVE (performers in grades 3-5), potentially performing Winnie the Pooh & Friends, also by White (2 5-day sessions).
  • Thespian Ensemble (performers in grades 6-8): The Blue Monster by Carlo Gozzi – performed twice (2 3-week sessions).
  • Comedy Ensemble (performers in grades 6-8 & 8-12) – performs multiple times (2 3-week sessions).
  • Shakespeare Ensemble (performers in grades 8-12): Much Ado about Nothing – performed twice (2 3-week sessions).
  • Shakespeare Troupe (performers in grades 9-12): Winter’s Tale – goes on a week-long performance tour (1 6-week session).

An ideal candidate will have the following skills and characteristics:

  • Have or be pursuing a BA, BFA, or MFA
  • Will work hard as a member of a supportive and collaborative team, both during rehearsals and throughout the camp, creating joy and supporting our students.  
  • Training in improv, acting technique, Shakespeare, and/or Commedia dell’Arte
  • Experience teaching acting to students (grades 3-12)
  • A strong belief in the power of the ensemble
  • Relish working outdoors – will happily pitch and sleep in a tent, help with a campout, and enjoy playing camp games with students while remaining a responsible role model
  • Experience with ensemble-building, low ropes, or Leave No Trace camping skills is a plus.

Creates props, puppets, and painted backdrops for our 4 summer productions, while managing the shop with one assistant, and training a small crew of high school students, our Technical Theatre Apprentices, to assist you by teaching basic to advanced technical skills.  The production schedule is very tight.  The Shop Head often designs two of the plays.  Design fees are in addition to the base salary.  Base salary: $450-$650/week plus room and board for 7-8 weeks. 

An ideal candidate will have the following skills and characteristics:

  • Have or be pursuing a MFA, or professional scenic experience
  • Delights in mentoring and teaching teens
  • Committed to being a role model, an educator, and a team player
  • Strong painting, construction, and safety skills
  • Experience successfully managing a crew – delegating, expanding skills, scheduling, and meeting multiple production deadlines
  • Maintain a joyful, educational, and stress-free shop environment
  • Excited by functioning in Maker’s Space to build (3-D printer, power tools, hand tools, painting drops outside in a breezeway), not a professional space)
  • Bonus points for experience designing/building puppets

To apply, please submit your portfolio in addition to your cover letter and resume.  Thanks!

Assists the Head of Scene Shop to create props, puppets, and painted backdrops for our 4 summer productions and trains a small crew of high school students, our Technical Theatre Apprentices, to assist you by teaching basic to advanced technical skills.  The production schedule is very tight.  The Assistant Head often designs one or two of the plays.  Design fees are in addition to the base salary.  Base salary: $350-$500/week plus room and board for 7-8 weeks. 

An ideal candidate will have the following skills and characteristics:

  • Have or be pursuing a BA or BFA
  • Delights in mentoring and teaching teens
  • Committed to being a role model, an educator, and a team player
  • Strong painting, construction, and safety skills
  • Experience successfully managing a crew – delegating, expanding skills, scheduling, and meeting multiple production deadlines
  • Maintain a joyful, educational, and stress-free shop environment
  • Excited by functioning in Maker’s Space to build (3-D printer, power tools, hand tools, painting drops outside in a breezeway), not a professional space)
  • Bonus points for experience designing/building puppets

To apply, please submit your portfolio in addition to your cover letter and resume.  Thanks!

Creates costumes for our 4 summer productions and 2 showcases, while managing the shop with one assistant, and training a small crew of high school students, our Technical Theatre Apprentices, to assist you by teaching basic to advanced sewing skills.  The production schedule is very tight; hence, most of the costumes will be altered from our existing stock of 4,000+.  The Shop Head often designs two of the plays.  Design fees are in addition to the base salary.  Base salary: $450-$650/week plus room and board for 7-8 weeks. 

An ideal candidate will have the following skills and characteristics:

  • Have or be pursuing an MFA, or professional costume experience
  • Delights in mentoring and teaching teens
  • Committed to being a role model, an educator, and a team player
  • Strong stitching, fitting, and altering skills
  • Experience successfully managing a crew – delegating, expanding skills, scheduling, and meeting multiple production deadlines
  • Super organized
  • Maintain a joyful, educational, and stress-free shop environment
  • Excited to build in a large classroom with natural light, not a professional shop
  • Experience in theatrical costume design and its inherent challenges (quick changes, etc.)

To apply, please submit your portfolio in addition to your cover letter and resume.  Thanks!

Assists the Head of Costumes in creating costumes for our 4 summer productions and 2 showcases, and in training a small crew of high school students, our Technical Theatre Apprentices, to assist you by teaching basic to intermediate sewing skills.  The production schedule is very tight; hence, most of the costumes will be altered from our existing stock of 4,000+.  The Assistant Head often designs one or two of the plays.  Design fees are in addition to the base salary.  Base salary: $350-$500/week plus room and board for 7-8 weeks. 

An ideal candidate will have the following skills and characteristics:

  • Have or be pursuing a BA, BFA, with design and construction experience
  • Delights in mentoring and teaching teens
  • Committed to being a role model, an educator, and a team player
  • Strong stitching, fitting, and altering skills
  • Experience successfully managing a crew – delegating, expanding skills, scheduling, and meeting multiple production deadlines
  • Super organized
  • Maintain a joyful, educational, and stress-free shop environment
  • Excited to build in a large classroom with natural light, not a professional shop
  • Experience in theatrical costume design and its inherent challenges (quick changes, etc.)

To apply, please submit your portfolio in addition to your cover letter and resume.  Thanks!

Residential Advisors (RAs) are the primary caregivers for our students, guiding their daily living and personal growth, ensuring they have a great camp experience.  Under the direction of the Camp Director & Head of Residential Life, R.A.s plan, coordinate, and lead activities for the camp community, creating memorable experiences.  The types of activities they lead/teach would vary based on the R.A.’s expertise and the students’ interests.  Salary: $350-$550/week plus room and board for 8 weeks. 

An ideal candidate will have the following skills and characteristics:

  • Have or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree, or a high school diploma plus 2 years of work experience
  • Experience working at a summer camp (ages 8-18), and love working with students
  • Committed to being a role model, an educator, and a team player
  • Relish working outdoors – like sleeping in a tent, building a fire, cooking over a fire, not afraid of heat, rain, or bugs
  • Experience with ensemble-building, low ropes, or Leave No Trace camping skills is a plus
  • Lifeguard certification for waterfronts a plus
  • Experience with helping students build coping skills and de-escalating issues
  • Experience helping students recover from homesickness, disappointments, friendship shifts, and identity issues
  • Experience leading groups of students and teaching them new skills through demonstrations, games, and challenges
  • Have a passion they can teach/share with students and experience teaching them (creating lesson plans, assembling materials, etc.) 
  • Experience with and passion for education a plus

Bonus points for a CDL license (school bus)

Year-Round Positions

No full-time positions are available currently

Please consider our summer positions.  Thanks!

Ready to bring Traveling Players to your community?

Contact us to discuss how we can customize a program for your group’s unique needs and goals.

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