Lead Tutor - Movement And Physicality

Lead Tutor - Movement and Physicality

Start Date: August 2024 (preferable), or January 2025

Employment Type: Full Time - Permanent

Closing date for applications: Sunday, 9 June 2024

Scope of the Job

Responsible to: Programme Leader – Acting

Responsible for: N/A

Works Closely with: Programme Leader – Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, Production Arts and Postgraduate Studies, Lead Tutor - Acting, Voice and Digital and Recorded Media

Job Purpose

The Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) invites applications for the Lead Tutor in Movement and Physicality. Occupying a key position within the Acting Programme, the Lead Tutor - Movement and Physicality will play a pivotal role in pioneering performer-centred creative, developmental and education-centred duties and activities contributing to the Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) programmes in Acting, Musical Theatre, Production Arts and the Dance Diploma.

Movement and Physicality sits as one of the core philosophies of our innovative multi-national undergraduate degree in acting. Seen as an essential element in shaping contemporary performers, we encourage a holistic approach to developing physical craft and dynamism as well as the creation of a highly supportive environment in which physical and mental well-being is prioritised.

In today's dynamic, competitive and diverse industry, we recognise that performers need to be versatile, expressive and physically adept to meet the demands of varied roles and performance styles. By placing Movement and Physicality as a central tenet, the programme aims to empower performers with the tools to effectively communicate through their bodies, explore character physicality and embrace a range of movement techniques to enhance their performances and expressive capabilities. This emphasis reflects a commitment to cultivating well-rounded performers who can adapt to the evolving landscape of theatre, film and media. By integrating innovative approaches to movement training, the programme equips students with the skills to engage audiences, convey narratives compellingly and embody characters authentically in a contemporary context.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Programme Leader - Acting, the post holder shall execute the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Lead, develop and deliver engaging and innovative curriculum for Movement and Physicality within the BA Acting and other undergraduate programmes.
• Teach specialised courses that could include Animal Studies, Neutral Mask, Laban, Chekhov, Lecoq and Suzuki techniques.
• Collaborate with colleagues to integrate Core Training, Calisthenics, Pilates and Contemporary Dance and other disciplines into the overall training in movement.
• Plan, implement and assess studio activities focusing on Movement and Physicality.
• Lead projects that explore movement techniques and their application in performance.
• Contribute to the overall growth and reputation of the undergraduate acting programme through exceptional teaching and leadership in movement education.
• Facilitate holistic approaches to responding to text through movement.
• Guide students in creating original work that incorporates movement elements.
• Mentor and support students in developing their physicality and movement skills.
• Stay current with trends and developments in movement training and incorporate them into the curriculum.
• Foster a creative and supportive learning environment for students to explore their physical potential.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of body mechanics and movement principles.

Additionally, the successful candidate will:

• Undertake administrative duties related to the role in a timely and professional manner, and to a recognised standard as required of a higher education institute.
• Collaborate with faculty to ensure alignment between movement training and wider aspects of the acting and other undergraduate programmes.
• Assist in organising and coordinating movement-related workshops, events and performances.
• Continuously assess and improve the effectiveness of the movement curriculum to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
• Support and participate in SPAA’s burgeoning Research and Scholarly Activity programme.
• Support and participate in outreach and developmental activities to SPAA’s local, regional and international communities.
• Work as part of a team to deliver professional performing arts training and education.

This job description does not cover every task that an employee in this position may be required to perform and on occasion, employees may be asked to undertake other reasonable tasks pertinent to their roles as needed.

Experience Knowledge and Experience

Essential to the position:

• Expertise in Movement and Physical Performance: A deep understanding of Movement and physical theatre techniques and methodologies such as Animal Studies, Neutral Mask, Rudolph Laban Movement Analysis, Tadashi Suzuki, Michael Chekhov and Jacques Lecoq.
• Leadership and Management Skills: Ability to lead and manage a team of tutors, as well as to oversee the administration of the Movement and Physicality courses.
• Pedagogical Skills: Exceptional ability to design, deliver and assess Movement and Physicality curricula that cater to a range of learning styles and diverse student backgrounds.
• Performance Experience: Professional experience in theatre, dance or physical performance, enabling the tutor to provide practical insights and advice.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Awareness and understanding of the diverse cultural backgrounds of students, enabling the tutor to adapt teaching methods and materials accordingly.
• Collaboration Skills: Ability to work closely with other faculty members, directors and industry professionals to integrate movement into the wider acting curriculum.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust teaching methods based on student needs and feedback, as well as the evolving landscape of acting and physical performance.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective teaching, feedback and professional collaboration.
• Qualification: Appropriate qualification at degree level or be able to demonstrate significant equivalent experience via industry or professional practice.
• Must be willing to relocate to the UAE.

Desirable to the position:

• Research Skills: Engagement with ongoing research in movement, physical theatre or related fields to contribute to the academic community and curriculum development.
• Digital Literacy: Familiarity with digital tools and platforms for remote teaching, learning and performance, especially relevant in the context of increasing digital integration in the arts.
• Health and Well-Being Knowledge: Understanding of physical health, injury prevention and psychological well-being related to physical training.
• Industry Connections: Strong network within the performing arts industry to facilitate guest workshops, internships and employment opportunities for students.
• Higher Education Experience: Previous experience of working in a Higher Education environment.
• Innovative Mindset: Interest in exploring and integrating emerging movement practices and technologies into the curriculum.
• Multilingual Abilities: Proficiency in languages other than English to accommodate the multinational nature of the conservatoire and its student body.
• Post Graduate Qualification: Master’s Degree qualification.
• Teaching qualification.

Context

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is an independent Academy established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, to address a growing demand in the UAE and MENA region for formal education and quality professional training in the performing arts sector. SPAA is the only performing arts conservatoire in the Middle East and North Africa region, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programmes taught in English. The purpose-built Academy includes a 432-seat theatre, two fully equipped studio performance spaces, TV/recording studios, twelve sprung rehearsal studios, 12 singing tutorial spaces, resource library, gymnasium and cafe.

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy specialises in training graduates for work in the international professional performing arts industry. The SPAA faculty are highly experienced practitioners within their respective fields. The focus of the Academy is practical rather than academic. The Academy's primary goal is to equip graduates with the highest level of practical skills in their field, along with the tools necessary for successfully creating their own work or practice.

Salaries and Benefits

Salaries in the UAE are tax-free and disbursed monthly in United Arab Emirates dirhams. Faculty members receive a competitive benefits package that includes: accommodation, private medical insurance, and a residency visa, which extends to cover dependent family members. The Academy will cover the cost of education expenses for eligible dependent children under the age of 18.

Employees and eligible dependents are entitled to an annual return ticket to their home country.

Additional Information

• The individual in this position is responsible for ensuring compliance with all SPAA policies and procedures, including the Workplace Health and Safety and Confidentiality policies.
• This position is full-time based at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
• The Faculty Handbook is an important resource and sets out the expectations and conditions of employment. Prospective candidates for this position can request the Faculty Handbook, which will be sent to them via email.

How to Apply

Please send a maximum two (2) page cover letter and current CV to careers@spaa.ae. Please place Lead Tutor- Movement and Physicalityin the email subject line.

(Applicants should ensure that their cover letter explicitly discusses the required qualifications detailed in this job description for this position)

For any further information please email: careers@spaa.ae

Note: Candidates offered positions at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy are required to undergo a comprehensive background screening and police check, prior to finalising their employment.