We’re hiring Counselors and Counselors-in-Training for our 2025 Summer Theatre Program!

Eligible candidates must be entering 10th grade in the fall or older and must be available for all program days and all performances. In 2025, due to an extended school year because of snow days, the program will begin either Wednesday, June 25 or Monday, June 30, to be decided after winter end. Program days are Mondays through Thursdays, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm until July 31, with six performances through August 2, ending with set strike after the final performance on August 2.  Evening hours are required for the evening performances. Given the unpredictable nature of community theatre, we may request that counselors – when available and at their own discretion – spend extra time if needed to complete preparations for the summer production. Compensation for this position is a stipend based on the totality of the program; it is not based on an hourly wage. Compensation will be withheld for any absences of more than 3.5 hours.

Counselor responsibilities include:

• Reading the script and learning the music for the show.
• Providing supervision with positive and nurturing support to a group of participants throughout the program while assisting them in developing their performance skills and knowledge of theatre through rehearsals, educational workshops, theatre games, and group activities.
• Working with artistic and administrative staff toward the final production at the end of the session. This includes mandatory and active backstage participation in every performance as well as in the set strike to its completion.
• Behaving as strong, positive role models at all times, with decorum, control and maturity. (This includes consideration of social media and public behavior.)
• Managing relationships with co-workers and peers maturely and professionally.
• Engaging participants in all activities (rehearsal time, workshops, counselor time), and using a hands-on approach to encourage teamwork by joining them in their activities when appropriate.
• Creating and presenting a workshop on a theatre-related topic for all program participants.
• Attending staff orientation meeting to be held prior to start of summer program, date to be announced.
• Arriving on time by 8:30 a.m. every day for the daily staff meeting; attending weekly staff meetings on Thursdays after the camp day.
• Complying with deadlines to submit a workshop outline and specific group-related deadlines.
• Responding in a timely manner to emails, texts, and phone calls from adult staff.
• Providing appropriate and respectful guidance to CITs.
• Supervising all campers during lunch and recess periods.
• First-year counselors are required to undergo a criminal background check at their own expense and the Mantoux test, per requirements of the Voorhees Township Board of Education.
• Summer program staffing is evaluated at the end of every season; counselor positions are offered at the discretion of the VTC summer program committee.

Violation of any of these obligations may result in loss of pay or dismissal.

The VTC/CER Summer Theatre Program Counselor-in-Training program is limited to participation by students entering 9th grade. Attendance is mandatory for all program days and all performances. In 2025, due to an extended school year because of snow days, the program will begin either Wednesday, June 25 or Monday, June 30, to be decided after winter end. Program days are Mondays through Thursdays, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm until July 31, with six performances through August 2, ending with set strike after the final performance on August 2.  Evening hours are required for the evening performances.

Counselor-in-Training responsibilities include:

• CITs perform a variety of tasks to support adult staff, counselor staff, and artistic staff. Tasks may include running the music at rehearsals, performing filing and administrative tasks, setting up lunch and cleaning up the cafeteria, assisting with supervision of children, and other tasks as assigned by adult staff.
• CITs are unpaid staff members; they are not charged tuition to attend the summer program.
•  CITs are expected to attend the program every day and to attend all performances.
• The CIT position is a full-day position.
• CITS are positive role models and behave with decorum, self-control, and maturity at all times.
• CITs will be assigned daily by the producers to assist counselors, adult artistic staff or administrative staff as needed.  This may include helping to supervise participants, overseeing the lunch period, or making copies, among other things.
• CITs are expected to fulfill tasks as assigned by adult staff and to adhere to the daily schedule.
• CITs are expected to actively participate in all activities as assigned, including rehearsal time and workshops they may attend with participants.
• Participation as a CIT does not guarantee future employment as a counselor.