Role Introduction

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Teaching

• Teach Year 9 and 11 Drama with the close support of experienced Drama teachers.
• Provide additional support and supervision in school time and some evenings for GCSE and A Level Drama rehearsals.

Co-curricular Drama

• Direct at least one house production in the course of the year and one lower boy school play.
• Act as assistant director and co-producer on up to two school plays.
• Work with the theatre staff and support boy stage crews on the house play production process.
• Provide rehearsal support for house and independent plays as needed: workshops, coaching, warm-ups, notes.

Additional Opportunities

A range of additional opportunities may be available to the Director-in-Residence, depending on his or her interests and aptitudes.  These could include some of the following:

• To run a playwriting group.
• To run weekend Drama workshops for Year 9 and 11.
• To run directing workshops for adults and boys.
• To develop comedy and cabaret through involvement in the Comedy Society.
• To coach individuals for Speech and Drama exams, auditions, and declamation competitions.
• To develop stage management skills through training and overseeing boy crews.

Benefits to Applicant

• The opportunity to make contacts and plan career moves during the course of the fixed term contract.
• The opportunity to use Eton College facilities and equipment to develop and mount a small-scale touring or external fringe production; free use of rehearsal space in school holidays (availability permitting), free use of a selection of costumes, props and set items.
• Development of production knowledge through involvement in what is, effectively, a fully equipped and busy rep theatre with near-professional production standards.
• Development of directing skills through work with young people.
• Development of teaching skills.

Main Duties

Eton College offers a wide range of benefits, including an 11% employer contribution to your pension (with 4.9% employee contribution), a cycle to work scheme and free access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities.

The Ideal Candidate

Skills and Competencies Required

To be successful in this role, the incumbent should have:

• Commitment to the highest standards of pupil welfare and a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures.
• A good honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent professional training)
• Experience of teaching/ directing
• Excellent communication skills
• A good sense of organisation and an ability to work to deadlines and complete tasks effectively
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Commitment to continued professional development
• Flexibility/ adaptability

Benefits

We are seeking a talented and capable person to work in our busy and well-equipped theatres. The Theatre Director-in-Residence will assist the Director of Drama in all matters relating to co-curricular work, also assisting the Head of Theatre Studies in those relating to curricular drama; maintaining and developing standards and opportunities and to teach a limited timetable of curricular Drama.

Eton has a vibrant theatre culture and is equipped to offer directors the opportunity to realise their ideas with fullness rarely achievable outside subsidised rep or the commercial sector.  We mount over 20 productions a year, from classical plays to the best contemporary writing and from bare-stage physical theatre to full-on musicals.  Our theatres are equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems; our scenic resources include flying and projection.  Productions are well funded and supported by a team of professional theatre staff.

This is a ten-month paid appointment (September 2020 – June 2021).

Salary/Hours

£14,275 for the 10 months of the contract (equates to £17,130 per annum) based on 37 hours per week, term time only. 

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided for this role.

About the College

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Eton College