Pine Tree Players is seeking an experienced, welcoming, and community-minded Improv Program Facilitator to develop and lead our Improvisational Theatre Program. This contract is for up to 140 hours billed at $35/hour from August 25 to December 31, 2026, with an option to extend until December 31, 2027 if the program is successful.
This new 12-week pilot program will offer free weekly improv drop-in sessions at the Canmore Miners’ Union Hall, three guest-led skill-building workshops, and a low-pressure performance opportunity. The program is designed for Bow Valley residents aged 18 and older, including people who are completely new to improv or theatre.
The successful candidate will create a fun and inclusive environment where participants can build confidence, practise active listening, express themselves creatively, and form connections within the community.
This position is made possible through funding from the Town of Canmore Community Grants Program.
The Improv Program Facilitator will:
– Develop an accessible and engaging learning plan for the 12-week pilot, with activities suitable for both beginners and more experienced participants.
– Prepare and lead a two-hour drop-in improv session each week. Sessions will generally include a participant check-in, review of community agreements, warm-ups, skill development, and applied improv practice.
– Establish and model clear community guidelines, consent-based participation practices, and flexible ways for people to take part at their own comfort level.
– Create a respectful and brave space in which participants can set boundaries, make mistakes, and build on one another’s ideas.
– Coordinate with three guest instructors delivering monthly four-hour skill-building workshops and help ensure the workshops support the overall goals of the program.
– Work with Pine Tree Players to plan and facilitate a low-pressure performance opportunity at the end of the pilot.
– Support outreach to communities that have historically experienced barriers to arts participation, including newcomers, Black, Indigenous and other racialized people, 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, young adults, and people new to theatre.
– Develop relationships with community partners such as the Canmore Young Adult Network, Bow Valley Immigration Partnership, and Bow Valley Pride Network.
– Maintain attendance records and support privacy-conscious collection of participant surveys, informal feedback, and facilitator observations.
– Monitor participant engagement, accessibility, inclusion, skill development, and sense of connection throughout the pilot.
– Prepare a concise final report with observations and recommendations for future programming, including scheduling, accessibility, workshop frequency, volunteer co-facilitation, performance opportunities, and long-term sustainability.
– Communicate regularly with the Pine Tree Players’ board and complete agreed planning, administrative, and reporting tasks within the available hours.
We are seeking someone with:
– Demonstrated experience teaching or facilitating improv, theatre, or closely related performing arts activities.
– Experience working with adult participants, including beginners and people with different levels of confidence or performance experience.
– Strong group facilitation skills and the ability to create clear structure while remaining responsive to the needs and energy of the group.
– Demonstrated inclusive, consent-based approach to participation, physical interaction, personal boundaries, and performance activities.
– Excellent communication, relationship-building, and conflict-navigation skills.
– Ability to plan engaging sessions, manage time effectively, and work independently.
– Availability to reliably facilitate a consistent weekly in-person session in Canmore.
– Availability for some evening and/or weekend work, depending on the final program schedule.
Additional assets include:
– Community outreach or partnership-development experience.
– Experience gathering participant feedback or evaluating arts, recreation, education, or community programs.
– Experience producing or facilitating community performances.
– Knowledge of the Bow Valley community and its arts and social-service networks.
Application deadline is 11:59pm on Friday August 7, 2026.
Please apply here: https://pinetreeplayers.com/improv-facilitator-application/
Or by emailing a cover letter and resume to info@pinetreeplayers.com.
