Year-Round Employment
There are currently no positions available.
Seasonal Employment
School Assistant
Organization: American Dance Festival
Job Location: Durham, North Carolina
Website: www.americandancefestival.org
Application Deadline: February 22, 2023
School Assistant (seasonal)
Seasonal full-time staff position from early March to early August.
Reports to: Director of School Administration & Director of Education
Job Summary: Provide administrative and logistical support to School Directors and for all ADF School programs.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Provide administrative and logistical support for all school programs and events as needed.
- Assist with correspondence for all program contacts; including but not limited to staff, faculty, musicians, students, parents, and partners.
- Assist with off-campus housing and community hosting efforts.
- Support recruitment efforts, including correspondence and coordinating schedules.
- Assist with processing student applications through ADF’s online registration system (Acceptd) and database (Filemaker Pro), including financial information.
- Assist with editing documents, the website, and marketing materials.
- Assist with transportation needs for the festival.
- Maintain school calendars and assist with the festival app.
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience required. Work experience in an administrative role required. A strong applicant will possess self-motivation, have exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational and event planning skills, time management skills and the ability to prioritize, excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills and experience working within teams, and adaptable problem-solving skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products required. Experience editing copy, as well as experience working with databases is preferred. Must be available to work on location at ADF’s offices upon hire.
Benefits and Compensation:
- Dates of position: Early March to early August
- Compensation: Salary based on experience (minimum $15/hour)
- Benefits: Opportunities to take free classes at ADF and receive complimentary performance tickets
Email resume, cover letter, and three references to adf@americandancefestival.org.
ADF School Summer Staff
Organization: American Dance Festival
Job Location: Durham, North Carolina
Website: www.americandancefestival.org
Application Deadline: February 15, 2023
FESTIVAL SERVICES COORDINATOR
The Festival Services Coordinator provides coordination of on-campus services, events, and hospitality for the ADF community. This position works collaboratively with the entire ADF School team and reports to the Director of School Administration.
Primary responsibilities:
- Coordinate all housing, dining, ID cards, keys, and maintenance for students, faculty, staff, and guests on-campus in partnership with Duke University
- Provide hospitality and on-call assistance to students, faculty, staff, and guests
- Oversee Festival Services storage, inventory, and supplies
- Plan and implement key school events and activities
- Provide festival-wide event support in coordination with the development team
- Assist with student check-ins and orientations
- Supervise one intern and multiple work-study students
Qualifications/experience:
- Management experience in the hospitality industry or events
- Arts administration experience or coursework
- Experience managing or overseeing a team preferred
- Excellent customer service and organizational skills
- Strong leadership skills, self-motivation, and professionalism
- Ability to multitask and delegate in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong Google Workspace and Microsoft Office skills
Details and compensation:
- Dates of position: May 8–July 26, 2023
- Compensation: $350/weekly
- Take one Summer Dance Intensive class, attend drop-in classes and showings
- Receive complimentary performance tickets
All school staff are expected to assist in the overall administration and daily tasks of running the ADF School summer programs, which often includes work outside of specific position responsibilities. This position must be able to work independently with minimal oversight as well as part of a team and handle concurrent tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. This position involves physical labor. Early morning, evening, and weekend work required. Must be able to bring your vehicle with you to the festival.
PROGRAM & ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
The Program & Administrative Coordinator provides coordination and administrative support to all school programs and faculty, with a focus on supporting the Dance Professional Workshops (DPW) and Pre-Professional Dance Intensive (PDI). This position works collaboratively with the entire ADF School team and reports to the Director of Education.
Primary responsibilities:
- Coordinate support, needs, and communication for all school program faculty
- School staff liaison for school program musicians
- Provide program coordination and support for DPW and PDI
- Provide logistical and administrative support for school opening weekends, auditions, class registration, orientations, and check-ins
- Assist with school program events and activities; including Teaching Tribute and Student Concerts
- Generate and distribute school program documentation and communication materials to participants, including through the festival app
- General administrative and organizational support to the Director of Education and Director of School Administration
- Supervise one intern and multiple work-study students
Qualifications/experience:
- Experience and/or interest in engaging in the administrative aspects of running education programs
- Experience managing or overseeing a team preferred
- Excellent customer service and organizational skills
- Strong leadership skills, self-motivation, and professionalism
- Ability to multitask and delegate in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong Google Workspace and Microsoft Office skills
Details and compensation:
- Dates of position: May 8–July 26, 2023
- Compensation: $350/weekly
- Take one Summer Dance Intensive class, attend drop-in classes and showings
- Receive complimentary performance tickets
All school staff are expected to assist in the overall administration and daily tasks of running the ADF school summer programs, which often includes work outside of specific position responsibilities. This position must be able to work independently with minimal oversight as well as part of a team and handle concurrent tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Early morning, evening, and weekend work required. Must be able to bring your vehicle with you to the festival.
To be considered for any of the above three positions, please submit the following application requirements:
- Cover letter
- Resumé with relevant experience highlighted
- One letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak directly about your qualifications
- Three references
To:
American Dance Festival
Box 90772
Durham, NC 27708
OR
adf@americandancefestival.org
PRE-PROFESSIONAL DANCE INTENSIVE DORM COUNSELOR
Each year, the American Dance Festival (ADF), located in Durham, NC, 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.
Primary responsibilities:
- Provide daily schedule oversight and accompany students to all classes, meals, activities, and performances
- Planning and implementing activities with students’ input
- Implement support mechanisms that establish a trusting community and foster relaxation and enjoyment outside of the classroom and in the residential hall
- Model best practices in how to take class and manage the stresses of an intense training experience
- Provide support to students for emotional and physical issues
- Act as an intermediary and appropriately mediate or take another action, when necessary, 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 able to negotiate sensitive situations with integrity and maturity
- Must be able 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 5–23, 2023
- 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 four days of training, teambuilding, and planning sessions prior to student arrival on July 9
Candidates interested in a dorm counselor position should carefully consider the magnitude of this rewarding, yet demanding position before applying. Dorm counselors have a great deal of responsibility, are on-the-job at all times, and are intensively engaged with program participants every day. Consistent, yet limited, time off each week is structured into the schedule for each counselor. 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.
To be considered for a dorm counselor position, please submit the following application requirements:
- Cover letter
- Resumé with relevant dorm counselor or equivalent experience highlighted
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak directly about your qualifications
- Three references; at least one reference must have been directly involved with your previous dorm counselor or equivalent experience
To:
American Dance Festival
Box 90772
Durham, NC 27708
OR
adf@americandancefestival.org
Production Positions
Organization: American Dance Festival
Job Location: Durham, North Carolina
Website: www.americandancefestival.org
Application Deadline: until positions are filled
Start Date: June 1, 2023
End Date: July 26, 2023
Available positions for 18-plus performance schedule:
- Technical Director / Carpenter
- Sound Technician
- Production Stage Manager
- Master Electrician
Please include a cover letter, resume, 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
Year-Round Internships
ADF Scripps Studios and Community Intern
To apply please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to adf@americandancefestival.org.
Employment dates: Fall and Spring semesters (not required to commit to both terms)
Application deadlines: Fall-June 1, Spring-November 1
Hours: 3-6 hours per week
The Studios and Community intern will work closely with the Manager of Studio Programming and Community Engagement on various organizational and operational projects. Primary responsibilities will include maintaining and organizing program files, tracking attendance, data entry, and assisting with social media updates. Additional responsibilities include facility supervision and light cleaning. Ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, personable, and excited to be part of ADF’s Studios team.
Summer Internships
Each summer, ADF offers internships in all areas of arts administration and production. Administrative internships provide hands-on experience for those interested in arts management. Production interns work on the crew for the summer performances
All interns work in an invigorating arts environment, as an integral part of the ADF staff. Each intern plays an important role in carrying out the ADF’s mission to serve dance, dancers, choreographers, and artists in related fields.
Teaching Opportunities
As a general rule, the ADF School does not accept unsolicited teaching inquiries. We take the selection of faculty seriously and are constantly examining the dance landscape for exemplary educators.
ADF’s Samuel H. Scripps Studios
If you are interested in teaching a weekly class or a special workshop at ADF’s Studios, please send your performance/teaching resume and proposed class description to studios@americandancefestival.org. We offer a variety of classes for all ages and levels. Typically, the weekly class schedule is set several months in advance, and special workshops are scheduled on an ongoing basis.
ADF prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Volunteer at ADF
Over the years, ADF volunteers have proven to be an invaluable part of our community. From answering phones, to distributing marketing material to making airport runs to hosting a faculty member, your help is immeasurable. We invite you to join us and support one of North Carolina’s cultural gems.
Benefits of being an ADF volunteer:
- Experience ADF as an insider.
- Meet dancers from around the world.
- Share your passion for modern dance.
- Office assistants and events volunteers receive festival tickets. Studios assistants receive free studio drop-in classes along with other perks.
To become an ADF volunteer:
Fill out this quick questionnaire: https://forms.gle/x2pcbo7HxrdN88dH8
If you are interested in being an usher at our performances, please contact Becca Gargiulo at becca@americandancefestival.org or 919-684-6402. Ushers must attend a brief training and scheduling session prior to the start of the festival.
Volunteer Opportunities
Office Assistant (Year-Round)
Year-round, times flexible between 9am-6pm. 2-4 hour shifts.
Ideal volunteers will be personable, detail-oriented, and modern dance enthusiasts.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Answer and transfer incoming phone calls.
- Data entry.
- Sort and distribute incoming mail.
- Prepare large mailings.
- Filing.
- Check office supplies and report needs to office manager.
- Assist specific departments as needed.
- Operate office machines, such as photocopiers and scanners, facsimile machines, voice mail systems and personal computers.
ADF Scripps Studios Assistant (Year-Round)
Once a week. 2-5 hour shifts.
Ideal volunteers will be personable, dependable, and modern dance enthusiasts.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Help set up and break down for informal showings.
- Run check-in for adult and youth classes.
- Perform simple office tasks.
- Clean lights.
- Water plants.
- Assist Studio Manager as needed.
For more information on specific time needed and to apply please see the form here.
Questions? Please Contact jscullythurston@americandancefestival.org
Events (Summer & Fall)
SPECIAL EVENTS
Assist ADF staff with special dinners, events, and parties. Volunteers may help with decorations, set-up and break down, sending invitations, food service, and more.
INTERPRETERS
With ADF students and performers representing over 40 countries, we need volunteers fluent in multiple languages to translate at tech rehearsals, in press interviews, for the school office, and more.
PROMOTIONS ASSISTANTS
Distribute promotional materials (season brochures, posters, postcards, etc.) to local merchants, libraries, bars, restaurants, public bulletin boards, and more.
STORE
Sell ADF merchandise at theaters before and during intermission of performances. All proceeds support ADF tuition scholarships.
DRIVERS
Pick-up and drop-off faculty, international choreographers, performing artists, and VIPS at the airport and transport them to Duke’s East Campus.
Host an ADF Faculty Member (Summer)
Faculty hosts receive six complimentary festival tickets (three pairs)
ADF brings in over 50 faculty members each summer to teach in our world-renowned school. Please consider hosting (free of charge) a dedicated faculty member in the summer for 2 or 4 weeks in June and July.
Register to host a faculty member here.
For more information, contact school@americandancefestival.org