Production Manager

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TIME COMMITMENT May, approx. 2 days a week (Home office or KIDS office) training, meetings, and preparations

June 8- June 29 Show Camp Rehearsals

June 30-Aug 19-Tour and Wisconsin State Fair

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The Production Manager for the Kids from Wisconsin is a contract position, serving at the direction of the Technical Director, Artistic Director and Executive Director. The Production Manager is one of 5 touring staff positions. (Tour Director, Technical Director, Assis Sound Tech, Lighting Tech, Band Director)

• This role is the on-the-ground face of the organization and one of the most important aspects of our youth’s experience and our hosting organizations events.

• Executing travel itinerary and making the performance and travel experience come alive for the troupe

• Managing coordination and safety

• Along with the tour staff, help to give the troupe a once in a lifetime experience and an exceptional performance for our hosts

• Teach and mentor youth in their responsibilities and hold them accountable of the expectations provided

• The Production Manager represents the Kids from Wisconsin with hosts, parents, and students while on tour in destinations throughout the Midwest. Over the tour season, build rapport and develop relationships with the troupe, their families and our hosting organizations. Ensure that the group moves safely and efficiently among the locations on its itinerary, keep the group informed and engaged in their surroundings, and find ways to enhance the experience and delight our hosting organizations.

• Make (sound) decisions along with the Tour Band Director· Solves problems creatively with the needs of the group in mind

• Confident, and enthusiastic with a positive attitude the troupe can role model

• Leads and persuades others in a constructive way

• Leads and persuades others in a constructive way

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Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills

• Flexible • Experience leading and inspiring teens and young adults

• Experience in music or shows a plus, but not required

• Housing and meals are provided during show camp

• Housing is provided during tour and on days off

• Some travel wardrobe is provided by the KIDS organization

• Provide Background check

To Apply

please contact: Michael Sander, Executive Director 414-266-7067 michael.sander@kidsfromwisconsin.org

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2023 Light/Tech Board Operator

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TIME COMMITMENT May, approx. 2 days a week (Home office or KIDS office) training, meetings, and preparations

June 7- June 29 Show Camp Rehearsals

June 30-Aug 19-Tour and Wisconsin State Fair

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The Lighting Tech/Board Operator for the Kids From Wisconsin is a

• Full-time, independent contract position, serving at the direction of the Technical Director, Lighting Designer and Artistic Director.

• The position is one of five touring staff positions. Review, assessment, and contract renewal will come from the Artistic Director.

• Performance sites are most often high school/college auditoriums, professional theaters, county fair grandstands and community amphitheaters. There is an 11-day run at the Wisconsin State Fair where the KIDS perform twice daily at a 1600-seat outdoor venue.

• The musical content of the 2-hour show consists of Broadway revue style production numbers and stage band features. Costume changes, props and the music itself keeps the fast-paced show moving. Each KID is assigned a specific equipment set up and tear down task. Load in, set up and sound check (and load out) usually takes about 2-3 hours.

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Responsibilities:

- supervise/lead lighting crew when at performance site. The crew is made up of troupe performers.

- manage hanging of tour light plot (or agreed upon plot at venue), including gels, gobos, etc.

- assist with decision making regarding necessary light plot modifications when at performance sites o troubleshoot any lighting related issues that arise (fixtures, controller, data cabling, etc.)

- safely work with venue fly/winch systems, including adjusting counter weighting when needed

- communicating with venue technical staff, when necessary, to facilitate changes to house light plot, fly weights, etc. o be comfortable operating different lighting consoles (Strand, ETC, High End Systems, Onyx, etc.)

- strive for a consistent show look, in regard to lighting, that is as close to the original design as possible o assist with equipment maintenance (lighting, sound, and staging) o assist with supervising of load-in/out o assist with driving of 26' non-CDL straight truck (split among technical staff)

- Run general errands. A reliable car is necessary.

- Along with other touring staff members, provide leadership of the 36 performing members of the KIDS (help to enforce policies and rules, promote good morale, room checks and espirt de corps)

-Anything related to the coordination of maintaining the show as produced

- Physical stamina and a strong work ethic are a must, along with a driver’s license, safe driving record, and clean background check

- Other responsibilities as assigned

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Qualifications:

•Manual dexterity and an aptitude for electrical work and electronics. 

•Creative flair and excellent attention to detail.

• Ability to work quickly and creatively as part of a team.

• Patience, stamina, physical agility, and ability to work comfortably at heights.

• Good numeracy skills.

• Work well with young adults

To Apply

please contact: Michael Sander, Executive Director 414-266-7067 michael.sander@kidsfromwisconsin.org

 

 

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Teaching Artists

 

Kids From Wisconsin is seeking professional, energetic, and dedicated Teaching Artists (TA) for its Realize Your Dream residency programs (currently for grades 3-8). The Kids From Wisconsin was founded in 1969 to bring musical performance experiences to communities across the Midwest, showcasing the state’s most talented youth performers to over 120,000 people each summer. Realize Your Dream is the community enrichment and education pillar of the organization, and was founded upon the traditions, legacy and core values of KFW's 55 year history. 

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With the achievement of the Realize Your Dream Spotlight, and outreach workshops that impact hundreds of participants across Wisconsin every year, the Kids From Wisconsin staff wondered how to connect to local schools year-round. During the summer of 2020, a team was assembled encompassing a wide variety of teaching experiences in the performing arts. In over 240 hours of collaborative meetings and countless innovative ideas, the team’s purpose revolved around one common goal — every child deserves to be introduced to the world of music. Now with two current residency programs (Music In Me and Music With My Friends), and three in development our primary focus is on the disparity of music education access, as we aim to provide educational programming to underserved communities across SE Wisconsin.

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Teaching Artists will play a large role in Kids From Wisconsin's mission to work with communities, schools, arts organizations, and supporting foundations to develop and deliver engaging performing arts and music education. They will be contracted to facilitate and teach pre-determined and written residency workshops and sessions in Milwaukee area school districts and community centers.

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Music In Me

Grades 3-5
Embracing Wisconsin’s standards for General Music Education, Music In Me incorporates vocal, instrumental and movement principles. The lessons will encourage self-confidence, spark creativity, and develop music appreciation with an interactive lens.
 

Music With My Friends

Grades 6-8
Positive and inspiring song choices, challenging choreography, and collaborative coaching all wrapped in a high energy team building atmosphere. Various styles in vocals, movement and performing techniques. TAs have an opportunity to collaborate on artistic development. Both programs will celebrate the participants work by presenting a showcase that will leave them empowered with the ability to connect to their community through music and performance. Residencies fulfill schools, after school centers, recreation and youth organizations that seek music and performing arts programming in their facilities

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Qualifications:

• Minimal: 

  • High School Diploma OR GED

  • At least 2 years of experience in the performing arts (i.e. music, theater, dance, etc.)

  • At least 1 year of experience working with children (i.e. caregiving, in classroom setting, private lessons, etc.)

  • Basic/Fundamental understanding of music theory, dance/movement, or acting theory.

  • Comfortable with technology (i.e. GoogleSuite, SmartBoards, Projectors, YouTube, etc).

• Preferred: 

  • Ability to play piano, and read music

  • College bachelor’s degree in music/theater/dance education, or other arts related degree

  • Current college students pursuing an education degree

• Adaptability: Willing to train and implement an existing lesson plan, but also be flexible to alter due to attendance and special needs of participants or facility

• Present a positive, friendly, respectful and helpful demeanor when working with children and community/school contacts and partnerships.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills - ability and willingness to collaborate with co-teachers

• Accurate and precise attention to detail.

• Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing

• Driver’s License or access to public or reliable transportation

• Ability to pass a background check in accordance with state and/or Federal laws.

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Your talents will:

• Instruct and execute provided 1-hour lesson plans with professionalism

• Create an engaging, positive, safe, and inclusive learning environment

• Communicate and collaborate on class goals and progress of sessions and students with Community Education Director

• Support colleagues and collaborate with other volunteers in and outside the classroom to prep, organize and maintain materials

• Incorporate classroom management strategies and learning theories to encourage engagement and motivation

• Ensure surveys, assessments, and evaluations are completed and submitted in a timely fashion

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Other details:

• Independent Contracted Position

• Schedule

  • 4-10 hours per weeks depending on bookings and TA availability

  • ​Flexible opportunities during or after school hours, and weekend availability

• Compensation:

  • $70/session after training and observation hours

  • $25/prep sessions

• Travel: 

  • TA’s can expect to travel to a variety of schools or community centers for teaching engagements in Milwaukee County. Travel costs are the responsibility of the TA.

  • TA’s are paid the hourly wage of $70/hr only during instruction time, and are not compensated hourly for travel time between teaching engagements.

• Mandatory Background checks

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To Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to Ashley Patin, Community Education Director at ashley.patin@kidsfromwisconsin.org with 2 references if selected for interview. 

 

Questions?

Call Kids From Wisconsin 414-266-7067