Director of the School of Dramatic Arts

Overview

The Institute for the Creative Arts is the first Performing & Visual Arts High School in Arkansas. As a charter, the school is funded by the state.
Our mission is: Empowering students through an intensive arts and academic curriculum that prepares them for higher education, creative careers, and to become future leaders in the performing and visual arts industries.

ICA is seeking an exceptional educational leader to serve as the Director of the Theatre Program in the Institute’s School of Dramatic Arts.  This individual will lead a program that focuses heavily on musical theatre and industry standards that the 21^st century student can build a career from.  The theatre program will build upon a strong foundation of the basic elements of theatre including acting and staging, along with elements of voice and dance.

The Institute opened in August of 2024 in the new Center for the Creative Arts, a 40,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility located on a stunning 10-acre campus on Fort Smith’s beautiful Riverfront Drive. Students in grades 9-12 participate daily in a specific arts program.

The ideal candidate will have significant experience recruiting and teaching high school students. In addition, the candidate will have experience working with public school officials and parents.  The candidate will have a background in musical theatre with experience in a wide variety of theatre styles and an overall working knowledge of theatre production including management, sound, lights, costumes, and sets. The Director will teach in the theatre areas of his/her expertise. The candidate will possess excellent communication skills and must be able to network with the community and identify students for the program.

The candidate will report directly to the President and secondarily to the Dean .  This individual will have the opportunity to collaborate with other ICA instructors to further develop the curriculum and collaborate on performances and events. He/She will shepherd a group of instructors in the School of Dramatic Arts to develop a premier program.

Requirements

• A Bachelors degree in Musical Theatre, masters a plus with emphasis in music and voice
• Three years of teaching experience is preferred, particularly at the high school level
• Team builder, highly organized and possessing excellent customer service/communication skills
• Dynamic and energetic leadership qualities
• Ability to collaborate and involve community partners
• Ability to recruit and mentor students
• Ability to lead large musical theatre productions
• Must meet Arkansas Qualified Teacher Requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and collaborate with other theatre instructors and music faculty
• Assist in recruiting instructors for the program
• Assist in developing the curriculum for the program
• Be responsible for parent engagement and recruitment and retention of students
• Lead/Teach theatre companies and other theatre classes
• Prepare students for college and the industry
• Develop summer programs and camps

Physical requirements*

• Be able to stand for the majority of the school day in order to effectively monitor and supervise students
• Be able to walk short distances to supervise students between classrooms and activities
• Be able to sit, stand, lean, reach, bend, lift and squat to assist students as needed
• Be able to walk on uneven surfaces (playground)
• Be able to walk up and down stairs
• Be outside in all weather conditions for assigned duty (recess, before school drop offs, after school pick- ups and field trips)

Salary/Benefits:  Full-time beginning at $50,000 and up with health/retirement benefits.

Job begins August 4, 2025.  We prefer the candidate be available by late July.

To Apply:

Send Resume, unofficial transcripts, and 3 references to Dr. Rosilee Russell at rrussell@icafortsmith.org