Join the PAA Team!
Do you love to work with students in theatre? Looking for a fun, creative challenge?
Apply to join PAA's Faculty and Staff Today!
- PAA is seeking experienced, passionate theatre professionals who love to work with students and are excited to work in non-traditional theatrical spaces.
- Candidates must have a willingness to learn, be highly organized, self-motivated, and committed to working as part of larger teams. Programs are designed for ages 3 - grade 12 with some adult classes too.
- PAA's programs and classes encompass a wide variety of experience levels. With the exception of the advanced level, musical theatre programs have placement auditions that usually occur at least 4 weeks prior. More information on each program is located throughout the website.
- PAA operates as an independent 501 (C) 3 nonprofit organization located at 8817 South Broadway in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
- PAA hires 50+ contractors annually on a rolling basis and will only respond to selected applications.
- Due to the nature of PAA's activities, all hired employees and contractors are background checked every 1-3 years.
Anti-Discrimination Statement
Approved - January 13, 2018.
PAA is an inclusive community that welcomes participation without regard to gender, sexual orientation, race, national origin, color, religion, disability, sex, creed, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, military status, political service, and affiliation. PAA is strongly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. All employment decisions, terms, and conditions are made without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, Veterans' status, marital status or other factors protected by applicable Federal, state, or local law.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Statement
PAA's mission and vision is an inclusive one. Our core values reflect acceptance of all people, promotion of diversity, and leadership through service, kindness, and generosity. PAA incorporates teamwork and collaboration into every program, encouraging students to share their learning and talents with the public.
PAA embraces values, policies and practices that ensure that all people are represented and treated fairly in the work of our mission, places of work, delivery of service, and community. We welcome the unique contributions that a more diverse collective sum of individual differences in views, abilities, experiences, knowledge, innovation, and self-expression brings. This includes but is not limited to those who have been historically underrepresented because of race/ethnicity, national origin, age, physical, mental, or emotional ability/disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, citizen status, genetic predisposition, marital status or religion.
PAA recognizes the critical role the arts play in our culture and national conversation, and accepts our responsibility to make positive change through our work, our practices, and our policies. Additionally, building an anti-racist culture requires intention and effort and we commit ourselves to the work of becoming an anti-racist and anti-oppression organization.
Current Openings
Performing Arts Academy of Colorado (PAA)Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
About PAAThe Performing Arts Academy of Colorado (PAA) is a premier youth theater organization serving more than 2,000 students each year.
Through accessible classes, summer camps, and theatrical productions, PAA promotes both artistic and personal growth for diverse youth. Our mission is to create community, build character, and inspire excellence through comprehensive performing arts education.
Position SummaryThe Development Manager creates and executes fundraising strategies to support PAA’s youth theater programs. This role builds donor relationships, manages grants, and coordinates fundraising events.
Key Responsibilities
Individual Giving & Donor Stewardship
- Manage annual appeals. Design and execute direct mail and digital fundraising campaigns.
- Cultivate donor relationships. Build strong connections with individual donors, board members, PAA alumni, and families.
- Maintain donor database. Track contributions, update contact info, and ensure accurate data entry.
- Send timely acknowledgments. Ensure all donors receive prompt receipts and personalized thank-you letters.
- Research funding opportunities. Identify new foundation, corporate, and government grant prospects.
- Write compelling proposals. Draft grant applications that clearly communicate the impact of youth arts education.
- Track reporting deadlines. Monitor grant timelines and submit accurate narrative and financial reports.
- Secure corporate partners. Pitch local businesses for program advertisements and production sponsorships.
- Collaborate with Development Coordinator on fundraising events such as annual galas and lead opening-night receptions and/or special donor cultivation events.
- Coordinate benefit fulfillment, ensuring corporate sponsors receive their contracted benefits and public recognition.
- Collaborate and lead the design for impact reports, donor newsletters, and fundraising social media campaigns.
- Support the board. Prepare fundraising reports and assist the Board of Directors with development initiatives.
- Experience: 3+ years in nonprofit fundraising, ideally within arts education or youth services.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Software skills: Proficiency or preferred knowledge of donor databases (e.g., Bloomerang) and Microsoft Office.
- Communication: Exceptional writing and storytelling skills to convey the magic of theater and youth development.
- Work style: Strong organizational skills, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Availability: Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends during technical rehearsals and production runs for fundraising events.
- Salary: Part-Time Non-Exempt Hourly with an average of 30 hours / week, hourly rate range is $25-$35
- Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401K plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
Background checks are performed on all hired employees.
APPLY using the "Apply Now" button at the bottom of this page. Please make sure to include.
- A cover letter detailing why you would like to work with us and highlighting relevant experience.
- A CV/resume
- 3 References with contact information
- Optional: Other supporting documentation
Performing Arts Academy of Colorado (PAA)
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
About PAA
The Performing Arts Academy of Colorado (PAA) is a premier youth theater organization serving more than 2,000 students each year.
Through accessible classes, summer camps, and theatrical productions, PAA promotes both artistic and personal growth for diverse youth. Our mission is to create community, build character, and inspire excellence through comprehensive performing arts education.
Position Summary
The Artistic Director is the chief artistic leader of the Performing Arts Academy of Colorado (PAA), driving the creative vision, programmatic strategy, and quality standards for all theatrical
programming. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this pivotal leader provides overarching direction for PAA’s productions, ensuring rigorous artistic excellence while maintaining deep alignment with the Academy’s educational mission and values.
The Artistic Director inspires students, faculty, and the broader community through an innovative approach to youth theater. This leader champions diverse populations and is deeply passionate about mentoring and cultivating mission-based values to the next generation of performing artists and theater-makers.
Key Responsibilities
Artistic Vision & Programming
• Develop, articulate, and coordinate a compelling artistic vision that aligns with PAA’s
mission and values.
• Curate, schedule, and oversee 20+ productions throughout the year for upper elementary through high school students, including play/musical selection, casting, and artistic staffing.
• Collaborate with the Production Manager on scheduling, budget, and all production programming.
• Work together with the Operations Manager to plan rehearsal spaces and build schedules.
• Collaborate with the Education and Outreach Manager to ensure consistent program alignment across all ages.
• Ensure programming reflects a diversity of voices, stories, and artistic practices that engage and inspire students of all backgrounds.
• Maintain high standards of artistic quality across all performances while engaging educational principles and deliverables.
Leadership & Collaboration
• Serve as a member of the leadership team, collaborating closely with all members of the team
• Hire, supervise, and mentor directors, music directors, choreographers, and other artistic support personnel.
• Inspire and lead staff, faculty, and volunteers to achieve excellence and uphold PAA’s values of creativity, confidence, and community.
• Foster and advocate a culture of inclusivity, collaboration, and innovation within the artistic and production teams.
Community Engagement
• Act as an ambassador for PAA in the broader arts and education communities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with students, families, artists, and community partners.
• Represent PAA publicly at performances, events, and community functions.
Administrative & Fiscal Responsibilities
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and staff to align artistic programming with organizational goals and financial sustainability.
• Develop and manage artistic budgets in coordination with production staff.
• Support fundraising efforts by engaging donors, participating in cultivation events, and contributing to grant proposals when appropriate.
Qualifications
• Significant experience in theater direction, production, or artistic leadership, preferably in youth or educational theater.
• Strong understanding of theater for young audiences, youth development, and arts education best practices.
• Proven ability to manage, inspire, mentor, and lead diverse artistic teams and staff members.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the arts.
• Bachelor’s degree in theater, performing arts, or related field required; advanced degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
Compensation & Benefits
• Salary: Exempt Full-Time - Salary Range is $60,000-$75,000, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401K plan, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
Background checks are performed on all hired employees.
APPLY using the "Apply Now" button at the bottom of this page
• Please make sure to include:
• A cover letter detailing why you would like to work with us and highlighting relevant experience.
• A CV/resume
• 3 References with contact information
• Optional: reels, photographs, and other supporting documentation
Please note that, due to the volume of applications, we will contact only those selected for an interview.
Join The Performing Arts Academy's FALL 2026 Teaching Artist Team!
The Performing Arts Academy (PAA) is now hiring engaging and enthusiastic educators to teach our Fall Classes for youth ages 3.5 -18.
Spend the fall sharing your artistry - in acting, voice, or dance - while helping students build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of theatre.
Our Fall Semester includes:
- 10-week classes: August 17 – October 22
- 6-week classes: August 22 – September 26
Class times are:
- Monday–Thursday: 4:15 PM and 5:10 PM
- Saturdays: 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM
Each class meets weekly for 55 minutes. Teaching Artists are responsible for developing their own weekly curriculum based on the provided class theme and description.
We're seeking Teaching Artists with experience in one or more of the following:
- Teaching Youth
- Musical theatre
- Acting and improv
- Dance and movement
- Vocal performance and ensemble work
- Creative storytelling
- Makeup Artists
- Costume Designers
Pay rates starting for 6 weeks at $240 and 10 weeks at $400
Work dates, times, and duration vary by program - offering flexible opportunities for artists with different schedules.
Why Teach with PAA?
- Be part of a collaborative, inspiring team of professional artists and educators
- Help create joyful, high-quality theatre experiences for hundreds of students
- Make a meaningful impact in a supportive, arts-centered community
Local hires only; housing and transportation are not provided.
All hired faculty must complete a background check.
How to Apply
Click the "Apply Now" button below and include:
- A cover letter sharing why you'd love to teach at PAA and your relevant experience
- A CV/resume
- 3 professional references (with contact information)
- Optional: reels, photos, or other supporting materials
Due to the high volume of applicants, we'll contact only those selected for an interview.
About The Performing Arts Academy:
Founded in 2006, The Performing Arts Academy is an award-winning educational theatre company located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. We provide exceptional training in acting, dance, voice, design, and tech, offering classes and productions that empower students to grow as artists, individuals, and compassionate members of their community.
The Performing Arts Academy is currently hiring engaging and passionate teaching artists for Spring and Summer 2027! You don't want to miss the opportunity to be part of this growing and dynamic team of artists!
We are seeking experienced theatrical teaching artists for classes and musical theatre productions.
For spring, we are specifically looking for those that have experience and a passion for working with early elementary in dance, voice and acting. We have available classes on Mondays through Thursdays at 4:15 and 5:20 pm. All classes at our new facility in Highlands Ranch.
For summer we are contracting artistic, design and tech teams to join us as we mount 19 full productions and host 48 week-long ½ day camps for students aged 3 - 18 over the course of 8 weeks.
Work dates/times and duration vary by program.
Local hires only; no housing or transportation available from PAA.
Student ages vary by program from ages 3 - grade 12, and some 18 yrs+ adult classes.
Background checks are performed on all hired faculty.
APPLY using the "Apply Now" button at the bottom of this page
- Please make sure to include:
- A cover letter detailing why you would like to work with us and highlighting relevant experience.
- A CV/resume
- 3 References with contact information
- Optional: reels, photographs, and other supporting documentation
Please note, due to the volume of applications, we will contact only those selected for an interview.
The Performing Arts Academy is an award-winning educational theatre company founded in 2006, located in Highlands Ranch CO. Providing quality theatre education in acting, dance, voice and behind the scenes tech and design, Through high quality class and performative opportunities, PAA focuses on the growth of students as individuals, and as active participants in the world.
PAA is an inclusive community that welcomes participation without regard to gender, sexual orientation, race, national origin, color, religion, disability, sex, creed, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, military status, political service, and affiliation. PAA is strongly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. All employment decisions, terms, and conditions are made without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, Veterans' status, marital status or other factors protected by applicable Federal, state, or local law.