Come Audition to be a Serenader at Smile Theatre for our 2024 Fall Session!
Dates: September 9 – October 26, 2024
Fees:
Core Serenader
Full-time Contract, minimum 35 hours per week guaranteed ($700). Calls are generally Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, with some Saturdays between 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, but there is the possibility of occasional evening bookings.
Alternate Serenader
$20/hour with 3-hour minimum calls for days worked. Available positions:
Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Some possible occasional weekend and evening hours added to this schedule.
Wednesdays and Fridays, between 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
Please specify your availability
Contact:
Performance Resume, headshot, and brief cover letter to Cassandra McCarthy, Serenades Coordinator serenades@smiletheatre.com
Context:
Smile Theatre is a registered charity based in Toronto, and is Canada’s only professional theatre company dedicated to performing for seniors and those living in care environments. In operation since 1972, Smile has been creating and touring small scale musical theatre productions to Retirement Residences, Long Term Care homes, Hospitals, Seniors’ Centres throughout Toronto, Ontario and across Canada. Smile Serenades is a program developed to deliver performance and engagement to isolated seniors in care.
We Serenade in a number of different locales:
Centre for Addictions Mental Health
Visits to a number of units at North America’s largest mental health hospital.
Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Some possible occasional weekend and evening hours added to this schedule.
Home Visits & Long Term Care
2-hour Roving Serenades sessions in Long Term Care, and visits to individuals’ homes.
Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
Community Day Programs
One hour serenades sessions that include improv skills and story-building engagement.
Variable call times throughout the week.
Job Description:
The Smile Serenader is a dynamic singer/actor/performer working primarily in-person, and occasionally through online platforms. They are an energetic and positive performer, and have an interest in connecting with seniors and those who live in care environments. They preferably can self-accompany on an instrument, though it is not required. Performers who are multilingual are especially encouraged to apply.
The Serenader collaborates with other ensemble members on creating and offering ongoing performances to seniors in a variety of contexts, including care homes, hospitals, seniors’ centres, and online. They are flexible, able to work both collaboratively in group settings, and independently. The Serenader is willing and able to take leadership when called upon to do so, and also support and encourage the leadership of others. They are true ensemble members.
Most importantly, the Serenader is a positive, caring, genuine, creative individual, willing and eager to give time and attention to isolated seniors and people in care settings, and creatively collaborate with fellow artists.
Experience performing in care environments is not necessary, and training is offered.
Tasks:
– Collaborates with other Serenaders and Creative Team members in repertoire development
– Rehearses and prepares music and improvised performance interactions
– Performs as scheduled in visits to care homes, community centres, home care environments, retirement homes, and hospitals ranging from 30 minutes to 2 hours (in sets)
– Attends meetings and/or rehearsals as called
– Participates actively in the promotion and development of the program on social media, website and promotional materials
– Any other task as assigned and agreed
Approach:
– Focused on caring for our audiences through excellence in performance engagement, and committed to growth and improvement
– Is prepared, and takes responsibility for personal performance quality
– Is on time, and respectful of the time of fellow artists and our care partners and audiences
– Takes initiative in the positive development of the program in collaboration with the Serenades Coordinator and Creative Team
– Takes leadership when called upon to do so
– Supports and encourages the leadership of fellow artists
– Brings a positive, willing and eager attitude to rehearsals, serenades, performances and meetings
– Actively and willingly collaborates with other artists to problem solve or troubleshoot in difficult situations
– Remains aware of what fellow artists and each audience member might need, and is ready to assist
– Respects audience members, staff and fellow artists.
Smile Theatre is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to building an organization that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from members of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities; Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people; disabled people; youth; and members of other equity seeking groups.