Director of Education & Community Engagement
AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CTR, Staunton, VA, United States
Director of Education & Community Engagement
American Shakespeare Center (Staunton, VA) Reports to:
Executive Director
Pay Rate:
$55,000 – $65,000 annually, depending on experience
Classification:
Full-Time, Exempt
Location:
Staunton, Virginia (on-site) Applications accepted through April 15, 2026 The Director of Education & Community Engagement provides strategic leadership for the American Shakespeare Center’s educational and community-facing work, advancing ASC’s mission to illuminate Shakespeare through performance, research, and education in the Blackfriars Playhouse and beyond. The Director serves as the organization’s primary leader shaping education strategy, partnerships, and public engagement initiatives. Grounded in the Blackfriars Playhouse and ASC’s approach to Shakespeare as a living practice, this role connects learning to rehearsal, staging, performance, and direct conversation with audiences. The position shapes the vision and structure of ASC’s educational initiatives while also engaging in hands-on teaching and facilitation as part of the organization’s integrated artistic and educational practice. Working collaboratively across departments, the Director ensures that education and community engagement remain fully integrated into ASC’s artistic, institutional, and community life. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
Contribute to organizational strategic planning while setting annual priorities for education and community engagement programs. Develop and oversee the department’s annual budget and resource allocation in alignment with institutional goals. Identify and cultivate opportunities for program growth, partnerships, and new initiatives that expand ASC’s educational reach and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the department. Guide the long-term growth and sustainability of ASC’s education and engagement initiatives. Program Oversight & Integration
Provide leadership and oversight for youth, student, lifelong learning, and public-facing programs. Oversee initiatives including student matinees, workshops, Playhouse Tours, and Lights On Blackfriars. Ensure programs align with ASC’s mission, artistic work, and community engagement priorities. Artistic & Seasonal Collaboration
Collaborate with artistic leadership to align educational programming with the repertory season. Work closely with group sales and marketing teams to coordinate student matinee scheduling with school and university calendars. Support the integration of rehearsal and performance practices into educational programming. Conferences & Scholarly Convenings
Provide long-range planning and oversight for scholarly and educational gatherings, including the Blackfriars Conference and related seminars. Help shape future convenings that connect scholarship, theatre practice, and public engagement. Community, Corporate & Institutional Partnerships
Cultivate partnerships with community organizations, corporate partners, and educational institutions. Collaborate closely with Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare & Performance program and other academic partners. Oversee leadership and professional training programs that apply Shakespeare’s plays and performance practices to contemporary organizational and civic contexts. Establish and support sustainable staffing structures for education artists, teaching artists, and tour guides. Oversee hiring, onboarding, and professional development for education personnel in collaboration with administrative staff who manage daily scheduling and supervision. Public Communication & Institutional Representation
Serve as a primary point of contact for educational partnerships and exploratory conversations about new programs. Represent ASC in public forums, professional gatherings, and partnership meetings. Archives & Scholarly Resources
Oversee stewardship of ASC’s educational and archival resources, including institutional partnerships related to collections and archives. Teaching & Public Practice
Teach and facilitate select programs—such as workshops, tours, talks, and leadership sessions—and contribute to ASC’s role as a national leader in Shakespeare performance and education through public speaking, convenings, and scholarly engagement. Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
Experience in theatre education, arts leadership, public humanities, or a related field. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, particularly in community-facing environments. Demonstrated ability to lead programs, initiatives, or teams in an educational or cultural setting. Ability to collaborate across artistic, scholarly, and administrative contexts. Strong organizational and strategic planning abilities. Preferred Skills and Experience
Experience working with Shakespeare’s rehearsal or performance practices. Background in theatre, literature, humanities scholarship, or arts administration. Experience developing partnerships with universities, community organizations, or corporate partners. Experience teaching, facilitating workshops, or leading public programs. Experience collaborating with universities, conservatories, or Shakespeare training programs. Why This Matters
Education and community engagement are central to ASC’s mission and impact. This role helps ensure that ASC’s work extends beyond the stage by connecting rehearsal, performance, scholarship, and community participation. By cultivating partnerships, guiding programs, and creating opportunities for audiences and learners to engage with Shakespeare, the Director of Education & Community Engagement strengthens ASC’s role as a national leader in Shakespeare performance and education. By connecting performance practice with scholarship, community partnerships, and lifelong learning, the Director helps extend ASC’s impact far beyond the stage. Work Environment and Schedule
Flexibility:
The schedule generally follows a Monday–Friday work week, though evening and weekend availability is occasionally required for performances, educational programs, and special events. Work Style:
This role is primarily on-site at the Blackfriars Playhouse and ASC offices in Staunton, Virginia. $55,000 – $65,000 annual salary, depending on experience (exempt) Optional vision, dental, and life insurance Paid holidays in accordance with the Employee Handbook Complimentary ASC performance tickets Professional development and conference participation support available Equal Opportunity Statement
The American Shakespeare Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, veteran status, national origin, or disability. The American Shakespeare Center values and supports collaboration, inclusion, and work/life balance. Our home in Staunton, Virginia, embodies these values through its livable, walkable downtown, low cost of living, diverse arts opportunities, easy access to cities like Richmond, Charlottesville, and Washington, D.C., and abundant outdoor activities in the surrounding Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Learn more about ASC’s mission. How to Apply
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by emailing a resume and cover letter to:
education@americanshakespearecenter.com with the subject line:
Director of Education & Community Engagement This position will remain open until filled. Applications accepted through April 15, 2026. About the American Shakespeare Center
The American Shakespeare Center (ASC) is a nonprofit theatre company based in Staunton, Virginia, and home to the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars Playhouse. ASC is dedicated to engaging audiences through performances, education, and community programs. What sets ASC apart: Historic Blackfriars Playhouse: the first modern re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre. Innovative Education Programs: workshops and lectures that make Shakespeare accessible to audiences of all ages. Community Engagement: partnerships and outreach initiatives fostering connections in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. Repertory Theatre: year-round productions featuring Shakespearean classics and related works. Located in Staunton, Virginia, ASC offers a unique arts and cultural experience in a vibrant historic town, with easy access to Charlottesville, Richmond, and Washington, D.C.
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American Shakespeare Center (Staunton, VA) Reports to:
Executive Director
Pay Rate:
$55,000 – $65,000 annually, depending on experience
Classification:
Full-Time, Exempt
Location:
Staunton, Virginia (on-site) Applications accepted through April 15, 2026 The Director of Education & Community Engagement provides strategic leadership for the American Shakespeare Center’s educational and community-facing work, advancing ASC’s mission to illuminate Shakespeare through performance, research, and education in the Blackfriars Playhouse and beyond. The Director serves as the organization’s primary leader shaping education strategy, partnerships, and public engagement initiatives. Grounded in the Blackfriars Playhouse and ASC’s approach to Shakespeare as a living practice, this role connects learning to rehearsal, staging, performance, and direct conversation with audiences. The position shapes the vision and structure of ASC’s educational initiatives while also engaging in hands-on teaching and facilitation as part of the organization’s integrated artistic and educational practice. Working collaboratively across departments, the Director ensures that education and community engagement remain fully integrated into ASC’s artistic, institutional, and community life. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
Contribute to organizational strategic planning while setting annual priorities for education and community engagement programs. Develop and oversee the department’s annual budget and resource allocation in alignment with institutional goals. Identify and cultivate opportunities for program growth, partnerships, and new initiatives that expand ASC’s educational reach and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the department. Guide the long-term growth and sustainability of ASC’s education and engagement initiatives. Program Oversight & Integration
Provide leadership and oversight for youth, student, lifelong learning, and public-facing programs. Oversee initiatives including student matinees, workshops, Playhouse Tours, and Lights On Blackfriars. Ensure programs align with ASC’s mission, artistic work, and community engagement priorities. Artistic & Seasonal Collaboration
Collaborate with artistic leadership to align educational programming with the repertory season. Work closely with group sales and marketing teams to coordinate student matinee scheduling with school and university calendars. Support the integration of rehearsal and performance practices into educational programming. Conferences & Scholarly Convenings
Provide long-range planning and oversight for scholarly and educational gatherings, including the Blackfriars Conference and related seminars. Help shape future convenings that connect scholarship, theatre practice, and public engagement. Community, Corporate & Institutional Partnerships
Cultivate partnerships with community organizations, corporate partners, and educational institutions. Collaborate closely with Mary Baldwin University’s Shakespeare & Performance program and other academic partners. Oversee leadership and professional training programs that apply Shakespeare’s plays and performance practices to contemporary organizational and civic contexts. Establish and support sustainable staffing structures for education artists, teaching artists, and tour guides. Oversee hiring, onboarding, and professional development for education personnel in collaboration with administrative staff who manage daily scheduling and supervision. Public Communication & Institutional Representation
Serve as a primary point of contact for educational partnerships and exploratory conversations about new programs. Represent ASC in public forums, professional gatherings, and partnership meetings. Archives & Scholarly Resources
Oversee stewardship of ASC’s educational and archival resources, including institutional partnerships related to collections and archives. Teaching & Public Practice
Teach and facilitate select programs—such as workshops, tours, talks, and leadership sessions—and contribute to ASC’s role as a national leader in Shakespeare performance and education through public speaking, convenings, and scholarly engagement. Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
Experience in theatre education, arts leadership, public humanities, or a related field. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, particularly in community-facing environments. Demonstrated ability to lead programs, initiatives, or teams in an educational or cultural setting. Ability to collaborate across artistic, scholarly, and administrative contexts. Strong organizational and strategic planning abilities. Preferred Skills and Experience
Experience working with Shakespeare’s rehearsal or performance practices. Background in theatre, literature, humanities scholarship, or arts administration. Experience developing partnerships with universities, community organizations, or corporate partners. Experience teaching, facilitating workshops, or leading public programs. Experience collaborating with universities, conservatories, or Shakespeare training programs. Why This Matters
Education and community engagement are central to ASC’s mission and impact. This role helps ensure that ASC’s work extends beyond the stage by connecting rehearsal, performance, scholarship, and community participation. By cultivating partnerships, guiding programs, and creating opportunities for audiences and learners to engage with Shakespeare, the Director of Education & Community Engagement strengthens ASC’s role as a national leader in Shakespeare performance and education. By connecting performance practice with scholarship, community partnerships, and lifelong learning, the Director helps extend ASC’s impact far beyond the stage. Work Environment and Schedule
Flexibility:
The schedule generally follows a Monday–Friday work week, though evening and weekend availability is occasionally required for performances, educational programs, and special events. Work Style:
This role is primarily on-site at the Blackfriars Playhouse and ASC offices in Staunton, Virginia. $55,000 – $65,000 annual salary, depending on experience (exempt) Optional vision, dental, and life insurance Paid holidays in accordance with the Employee Handbook Complimentary ASC performance tickets Professional development and conference participation support available Equal Opportunity Statement
The American Shakespeare Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, veteran status, national origin, or disability. The American Shakespeare Center values and supports collaboration, inclusion, and work/life balance. Our home in Staunton, Virginia, embodies these values through its livable, walkable downtown, low cost of living, diverse arts opportunities, easy access to cities like Richmond, Charlottesville, and Washington, D.C., and abundant outdoor activities in the surrounding Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. Learn more about ASC’s mission. How to Apply
Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by emailing a resume and cover letter to:
education@americanshakespearecenter.com with the subject line:
Director of Education & Community Engagement This position will remain open until filled. Applications accepted through April 15, 2026. About the American Shakespeare Center
The American Shakespeare Center (ASC) is a nonprofit theatre company based in Staunton, Virginia, and home to the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars Playhouse. ASC is dedicated to engaging audiences through performances, education, and community programs. What sets ASC apart: Historic Blackfriars Playhouse: the first modern re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre. Innovative Education Programs: workshops and lectures that make Shakespeare accessible to audiences of all ages. Community Engagement: partnerships and outreach initiatives fostering connections in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. Repertory Theatre: year-round productions featuring Shakespearean classics and related works. Located in Staunton, Virginia, ASC offers a unique arts and cultural experience in a vibrant historic town, with easy access to Charlottesville, Richmond, and Washington, D.C.
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