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PRE-PROFESSIONAL DANCE INTENSIVE DORM COUNSELORS

APPLICATIONS STILL OPEN!

To be considered for a Dorm Counselor position, please submit the following to adf@americandancefestival.org with Dorm Counselor in the subject line. 

• Cover letter
• Résumé with relevant dorm counselor or equivalent experience highlighted
• One letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak directly about your qualifications
• Three references

PRE-PROFESSIONAL DANCE INTENSIVE DORM COUNSELOR

Each year, the American Dance Festival builds a team of five dorm counselors for its Pre-Professional Dance Intensive (PDI). PDI is a two-week, audition-based program for dancers ages 13–17 that provides rigorous dancing with a focus on community-building to develop the artistic voice. Counselors play a critical role as mentors and gain experience supporting dancers’ training in the classroom and through constructing a healthy, fun, and inclusive residential living experience. This position works collaboratively with the entire ADF School team and reports to the Director of Education and Director of School Administration.

Primary responsibilities:

• Provide daily schedule oversight and accompany students to all classes, meals, activities, and performances
• Plan and implement activities with students’ input
• Cultivate a trusting community that continues outside of the classroom and in the residential hall
• Model best practices in how to take classes and manage the stresses of an intense training experience
• Serve as a mentor and provide support to students for emotional and physical issues
• Act as a mediator with any roommate or peer conflict that may arise with the support of ADF School staff
• Enforce ADF and Duke University guidelines and policies

Qualifications/experience:

• Prior experience working with students as a residence life assistant, camp counselor, or equivalent role, preferably with youth ages 13–17
• Strong leadership skills, self-motivation, and professionalism
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Conflict resolution skills and ability to negotiate sensitive situations with integrity and maturity
• Ability to balance responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of or familiarity with best practices for creating an inclusive community for students of all races, genders, sexual orientations, and physical abilities

Details and compensation:

• Dates of position: July 9–27, 2025
• Compensation: $850 stipend
• Dorm counselors are provided housing and three meals a day on Duke University’s east campus
• Dorm counselors take classes and attend performances with PDI students
• ADF provides dorm counselors with three days of training, team building, and planning sessions prior to student arrival. Training dates are July 9–11, 2025. Dorm counselors will need to arrive on the morning of
  July 9^th .

Dorm counselors have a great deal of responsibility and are intensively engaged with program participants every day. Dorm counselors get one designated day off per week. Applicants must be 21 or older. Some dorm counselors will be asked to have a car with them at the festival. All dorm counselors must pass a background check and complete online training on policies and issues relating to interactions with minors as coordinated by Duke University.

2025 Production Positions

APPLICATIONS STILL OPEN!

Organization: American Dance Festival
Job Location: Durham, North Carolina
Website: www.americandancefestival.org
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025 or until positions are filled.

Start Date: June 3, 2025
End Date: July 30, 2025
* Housing assistance available

Available positions for 2025 performance schedule:
• Technical Director / Carpenter
• Sound Technician
• Production Stage Manager
• Master Electrician

Please include a cover letter, résumé, and the names and phone numbers of three references. To apply, please send materials to:

American Dance Festival
Box 90772
Durham, NC 27708
OR
adf@americandancefestival.org