Teaching Assistant, Acting Technique (Adult), Fall 2025

Job Title:            Teaching Assistant, Acting Technique (Adult), Fall 2025

Reports To:        Director of Education     

About Us:

The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) gathers audiences, students, and filmmakers to experience the joy of film, and to learn about the craft, ourselves, and each other.  As a nonprofit cultural and educational institution located in Pleasantville, NY, the JBFC is dedicated to presenting the best of independent narrative, documentary, and world cinema, promoting visual literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community.  Learn more about the organization at burnsfilmcenter.org.

Position Objectives: 

The Jacob Burns Film Center is seeking a Teaching Assistant to be part of the team of educators at its Media Arts Lab.  The Teaching Assistant supports the Course Instructor and works closely with students 18 years and older on a weekly basis, leading them through script analysis, scene work, and the exploration of acting techniques.

The Teaching Assistant will be responsible for signing in and dismissing students, helping to focus and prepare the class, and supporting students throughout the learning process. They will retrieve and help assemble any necessary class equipment, help prepare spaces, and break down and clean up rooms and equipment at the end of class.  They will also foster a fun, collaborative, and empathetic environment for the students.

Responsibilities:

• Guide and support script analyses, scene work, and acting-technique exploration under the supervision of the Course Instructor.
• Coordinate class equipment, space, and material needs.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment for students.
• Monitor students as necessary.
• Set up and break down classroom studios.
• Administer attendance records and student sign-out.
• Communicate with Course Instructor regarding individual student needs, weekly plans, and the maintenance of a safe, fun, and educational class environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Experience working with adults.
• Experience in acting.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Applicants Should Demonstrate the Following:

• Leadership and initiative in guiding students to create group success.
• Interest in acting and/or arts education.
• Flexibility to work as a member of a creative team.
• Comfort working with different learning styles and personalities.
• Ability to multitask and problem-solve.
• An outgoing and energetic personality.
• Basic technical knowledge of computers.
• Experience with acting technique.

Ideal Applicants Would Have:

• Experience working in a classroom structure.
• Love of teaching.

Term:    September 30-December 9, 2025

Hours:

Tuesday, September 30, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, October 7, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, October 14, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, October 21, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, October 28, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, November 4, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, November 18, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, November 25, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, December 2, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Tuesday, December 9, 5:30pm-9:00pm

Compensation: $18.00-$20.00/hour

Application Instructions:

Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@burnsfilmcenter.org with “ Teaching Assistant, Acting Technique (Adult), Fall 25” in the subject line of your email. No phone calls, please.

Unsure if you should apply? Research indicates that some candidates are less likely to apply if they do not meet 100 percent of the listed qualifications. If this is you, and you believe you would excel in this position, we strongly encourage you to submit your application. We are actively recruiting candidates with diverse work experiences, backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, and abilities. We believe all work experience has value, and are fully considering all applicants with a strong desire to help us fulfill our mission, including candidates who are making career-focus shifts or returning from employment gaps. Please use your cover letter as an opportunity to express your interest in JBFC’s mission and programs, and how you envision yourself contributing as a member of our team.

The Jacob Burns Film Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring and employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, sex, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic predisposition and/or carrier status, disability, age, religion, marital status, national origin or citizenship status, veteran status, or any other classification as protected by law.  We hire and promote individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for positions to be filled.  Please inform the JBFC if you need any assistance with the instructions provided to participate in our application process. Questions and concerns may be directed tojobs@burnsfilmcenter.org

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and responsibilities that are required of this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned.