Senior Resident Teaching Artist (SRTA) Role Description

About Us

Mirror Image Arts is a youth advocacy organization disrupting the Pipeline to Prison through Restorative Theatre™. We center our work with youth (ages 5–21), many of whom are dealing with the effects of complex trauma, in underserved and under-resourced areas. We bring Restorative Theatre™ to youth and youth-serving adults in schools, community organizations, and detention centers. We co-create spaces of healing and belonging while deepening social emotional well-being.

Position Overview

The Senior Resident Teaching Artist (SRTA) is a full-time, fixed-term residency position lasting 11 months, with the potential for a one-year extension. The role is designed for a practitioner with foundational facilitation experience who is ready to deepen their craft in higher-complexity spaces  including our system-impacted programming and professional development work with youth-serving adults.

The SRTA supports the implementation and facilitation of Restorative Theatre™ programs, working closely with program staff and ArtistYear fellows. Unlike school-based service roles, the SRTA grows into Mirror Image Arts’ most complex environments under the structured supervision of our program managers/directors. 

Mirror Image Arts’ program is designed for artists with a strong work ethic, and a desire to hone one’s craft through immersion in our curriculum and organizational practices. The SRTA will benefit by playing an integral role in a rigorous, supportive organization through active participation in rehearsal processes, in the field facilitation, special projects, and close observation of our relationship-building practices with site partners.

This is a youth-facing position with an opportunity to make connections with artists in the Denver metro area, and to be challenged as an actor and teaching artist. The role includes structured mentorship, training, and professional development, culminating in the Restorative Theatre™ Practitioner Certificate.

Specific Responsibilities

Program Facilitation — Your Voice (RT™ for Youth Development)

• Serves as Facilitator and Performer for programs as assigned. When assigned to co-lead alongside a manager, supports day-of coordination at the site, brings any materials or props needed for class and/or actors, and helps ensure the team is prepared for the unique needs of each site and community. 
• Implements Mirror Image Arts’ Restorative Theatre™ curriculum as designed; maintains fidelity to MIA’s approach and values in every program.
• Supports Program Managers in pre, mid, and post-program partner meetings as needed
• Completes session notes in standardized format and submits to the supervising manager each week.
• Gives weekly updates to the Program Director on program dynamics and youth needs.
• Serves as a mentor and advocate for youth.
• Assists with routine gathering of qualitative and quantitative data during programs to support grant writing and advocacy efforts; supports input of data as directed.
• Collaborates with the Program Director to support ArtistYear Fellows’ onboarding and ongoing training in Your Voice spaces.
• Assists in special projects related to programming.
• Does not make independent program decisions; escalates all non-routine situations to the supervising manager or Program Director.
• Participates in fundraising activities as appropriate.

Program Facilitation — Brighter Future (RT™ for System-Impacted Youth)

• Trains under the Brighter Future Manager to learn to co-facilitate programming in system-impacted spaces, including detention, diversion, and re-entry settings.
• Progresses toward co-facilitation in Brighter Future settings based on readiness as assessed by the Brighter Future Manager. This deepening into system-impacted work is the primary professional growth focus of the residency and is a key distinction of this role.
• Participates in Brighter Future–specific professional development and trauma-informed, restorative-justice, and healing-centered training.

Restorative Theatre™ Certification

• Completes the Restorative Theatre™ Practitioner Certificate (Tier 1: Foundations and Tier 2: Practicum) as a core component of the residency.
• Attends and actively participates in all staff meetings, professional learning sessions, and reflection circles.
• Continually builds personal, artistic, and professional growth through classes, reading, and self-identified areas for development.

Qualifications

Required

• Experience in theatre and/or a 2–4 year degree in theatre or a related field.
• Experience working with young people ages 5–24.
• Foundational facilitation experience: prior experience in an applied theatre, teaching artist, or service-year residency (such as ArtistYear) is strongly valued.
• Willingness to learn and use key phrases in Spanish.
• Experience or strong interest in social justice, social work, and/or youth development.
• Curiosity, Empathy, Collaboration and a Growth-Mindset – these are a  daily practice at MIA.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Google Suite (Calendar, Drive, Email, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms).
• Reliable transportation to multiple locations across the Denver metro area.

Strongly Preferred

• Lived experience with or connection to the communities MIA serves.
• Experience in Theatre of the Oppressed/Applied Theatre, Devising, Restorative Justice, and/or Trauma-Informed practices.
• Bilingual or multilingual; Spanish is especially valued.

Benefits

• Paid time off that includes, up to the following, prorated based on the length of your contract term:
  • 13 organization-observed paid holidays annually.
  • 80 hours of vacation per year (accrues at 6.67 hours per month; accrual begins 30 days after employment).
  • 48 hours of sick time per year (accrual rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked).
  • 1 mental health day per quarter (4 total per year).
  • A tax-free health benefit program that reimburses employees a maximum of $440/month (single) up to $825/month (family with dependents).
  • Monthly gas stipend.

To Apply

Please apply by submitting three references, a resume (please share both your work experience and theatre specific experience) and a cover letter introducing yourself to our team to jobs@mirrorimagearts.org. In the body of your letter, please give concrete examples of how your work history and/or life experiences have equipped you to fulfill the requirements of this position. Also, tell us about your connection to young people, the arts and social change.

Questions: email m.osterman@mirrorimagearts.org

Important Employment Term Information

This position is temporary and will conclude at the end of the fixed term stated above. Continuation of employment beyond this period is not guaranteed, though the role carries the potential for a one-year extension based on organizational need, program growth, and performance. Upon successful completion of the residency and the Restorative Theatre™ Practitioner Certificate, the resident may be considered for other positions within the organization as they become available.

Notwithstanding the fixed term stated above, employment with Mirror Image Arts is at-will. Mirror Image Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer.