Create With Us

Our Commitment to Access and Equity
Carousel Players believes that it is the company’s responsibility to provide creative spaces where everyone feels supported in bringing their full, authentic selves to the work.
We are committed to non-discriminatory casting and hiring practices to ensure equitable access to our creative spaces for artists, staff, and volunteers of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
More information on our ongoinging work in equity, inclusion, and access is available in our policies here.
Employment Opportunities
Outreach & Development Coordinator - Deadline: September 14
Carousel Players, Niagara’s professional theatre for young audiences, is accepting applications for the position of Outreach & Development Coordinator. This is a full-time (30 hours per week), contract position based in St Catharines from September 28, 2023 – February 15, 2024. The salary for this position is $600 per week ($20/hr). This position is funded, in part, by the Youth Breaking Barriers to Employment Program. Interested candidates must:
- Be 15-30 years of age
- Be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent resident or, have Refugee status
- Be out of school for 6+ months (no students, but other exceptions may apply)
- Have completed the YBBE Eligibility Questionnaire
ABOUT THE JOB
The Outreach & Development Coordinator is responsible for
- Coordinating the implementation of public outreach events
- Building connections and developing relationships with potential community partners to broaden Carousel Players’ network
- Participating in development and strategizing of fundraising materials, campaigns, and events
- Database maintenance and funder prospecting
- Providing box office support at public events
Implementing fundraising campaigns
KEY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE
Community Outreach
- Participate in and attend all Outreach Committee meetings
- Maintain working relationships with Carousel Players’ community partners, co-op students, and volunteers.
- Work with the Artistic Director and General Manager to develop and monitor an action plan to expand Carousel’s relationships with community partners and public.
- Participate in targeted community outreach events (local festivals, trade shows, special events, meetings)
- Work with box office staff at public venues to set up ticket sales, receive reports and facilitate marketing materials for Carousel’s shows.
Fundraising
- Work with the General Manager to target potential donors and sponsors, create specific asks and rewards, and solicit donations / sponsorships for programs and the company as a whole.
- Assist with special events including Annual General Meeting, Carousel fundraisers, and volunteer recognition events hosted by the Board.
- Assist in maintaining Carousel Player’s ticket buyer, donor, and customer databases
A candidate for this position should demonstrate the following
- A love of theatre and/or the performing arts
- Experience in speaking with and emailing unfamiliar people to build new connections
- Experience in using MS Office Suite and Google Cloud systems
- Spoken and written English proficiency sufficient to lead meetings; have conversations and email exchanges with schools, presenting venues, and parents; and ensure accuracy in the content of written and spoken messages.
Other qualities and skills that are not required but are considered an asset:
- Project and/or event management experience
- Knowledge of the Niagara Region’s geography and communities
- Familiarity with Mailchimp, WordPress, and/or graphic design software
- Access to reliable transportation
- Volunteer or employment experience in the performing arts
OUR WORKPLACE
Carousel Players is committed to creating a supportive and flexible workspace. Staff work both in-office and virtually as best suits their tasks and responsibilities. Some evening and weekend work will be required in this position.
This position involves working around minors, so the selected candidate will be required to complete a police-issued Vulnerable Sector Check as a condition of employment. The cost of completing this check will be reimbursed by Carousel Players.
Carousel Players is committed to non-discriminatory hiring practices to ensure equitable access to our creative spaces for artists, staff, volunteers, and audiences of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Persons who identify as IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and Persons of Colour), 2SLGBTQ+, and/or disabled are encouraged to apply for this position. Please contact Carousel Players at or 905-682-8326 *23 about any accommodations you require to submit an application.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send both your resume and a cover letter to addressed to General Manager Annie Slade explaining your interest in the role.
Applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on September 13, 2023 to be considered. Interviews will be conducted September 13-15, 2023. We thank all those who apply, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. If you have any questions about this position, posting, or Carousel Players, please email Annie Slade, General Manager, at .
Education Coordinator - Deadline: October 10
Carousel Players, Niagara’s professional theatre for young audiences, is accepting applications for the position of Education Coordinator. This is a part-time (20 hours per week), year-round, permanent position based in St Catharines with a start date of November 6, 2023. Salary: $420 per week ($21/hr). Other compensation includes 3% RRSP matching, extended health benefits, support for professional development, and paid vacation days.
The Education Coordinator reports to the Artistic Director and General Manager and frequently collaborates with other staff. They are responsible for coordinating the promotion and implementation of Carousel Players education activities and Theatre School programs; and such other duties as required and mutually agreed upon.
In the 2023-2024 Season, Carousel Players will offer the following Theatre School and in-classroom drama education programs:
- After School Drama Programs
- Saturday Drama Classes
- March Break Drama Camps
- Dungeons & Dragons Adventures
- PD Day Camps
- Playlinks workshops
KEY DUTIES INCLUDE
- Planning, staffing, booking, promoting, and evaluating all Theatre School programs
- Monitoring the budget, payments, and educator invoicing for all Theatre School programs
- Coordinating the production-related in-school education programs and resources including After School Drama and Playlinks Programs
- Working with Educators on program delivery
- Serving as the primary contact for parents, schools, and other stakeholders
Education Coordinator 2023 – Job Description
A candidate for this position should demonstrate the following
- A love of theatre for young audiences
- Three or more years experience in a Theatre or Education-based field of work
- Experience in speaking with and emailing unfamiliar people to build new connections
- Experience in using MS Office Suite and Google Cloud systems
- Spoken and written English proficiency sufficient to lead meetings; have conversations and email exchanges with schools, presenting venues, and parents; and ensure accuracy in the content of written and spoken messages.
Other qualities and skills that are not required but are considered an asset:
- Project and/or event management experience
- Knowledge of the Niagara Region’s geography and communities
- Familiarity with Mailchimp, WordPress, and/or graphic design software
- Access to reliable transportation
- Volunteer or employment experience in the performing arts
Carousel Players is committed to creating a supportive and flexible workspace. Staff work both in-office and virtually as best suits their tasks and responsibilities. Some evening and weekend work will be required in this position.
This position involves working around minors, so the selected candidate will be required to complete a police-issued Vulnerable Sector Check as a condition of employment. The cost of completing this check will be reimbursed by Carousel Players.
Carousel Players is committed to non-discriminatory hiring practices to ensure equitable access to our creative spaces for artists, staff, volunteers, and audiences of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Persons who identify as IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, and Persons of Colour), 2SLGBTQ+, and/or disabled are encouraged to apply for this position. Please contact Carousel Players at or 905-682-8326 *23 about any accommodations you require to submit an application.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send both your resume and a cover letter to addressed to Artistic Director Monica Dufault explaining your interest in the role.
Applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on October 10, 2023 to be considered. Interviews will be conducted in person the week of October 23-27, 2023. We thank all those who apply, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
If you have any questions about this position, posting, or Carousel Players, please email Annie Slade, General Manager, at .
Artist Educator Job Posting (Ongoing)
Carousel Players’ Theatre School is expanding its roster of Artist Educators and is seeking applications from Niagara-based theatre artists and educators to teach classes and lead camps for students ages 2 to 14.
What is the job?
Artist Educators are self-employed contract workers who report to the Education Coordinator and are responsible for:
- planning educational drama classes and/or camps based on Carousel Players curriculum guidelines
- delivering educational drama classes and/or camps to children ages 2-14 in various locations in the Niagara Region
- providing feedback to the Education Coordinator on program delivery and curriculum
Where does Theatre School take place?
All Theatre School programs are offered in person.
- Several of our classes and all of our summer programs take place at the Carousel Players Arts Education Centre in downtown St Catharines.
- Also in St Catharines, we offer After School classes at Russell Ave. Community Centre and March Break Camp at Elm St United Church.
- Outside St Catharines, we offer programs at MacBain Community Centre (Niagara Falls), Meridian Communiyt Centre (Fonthill), and partner with elementary schools in Niagara to offer classes in other municipalities, which vary each term.
When does it happen and what does it pay?
The timing and duration of employment for Artist Educators varies based on the program(s) they are contracted to teach. Carousel Players runs three terms of classes during the school year and camps during school breaks. Educators are expected to be available to teach all classes in the program(s) they are contracted for. The Educator Coordinator will assign programs to Artist Educators based on experience and availability.
The instructor fees paid vary depending on the program(s) being taught and range from $200 for a full-day PD Day Camp to $600 for an eight week program of ninety minute classes. Details of program time commitments and compensation can be found in the Artist Educator Job Description.
Who should apply?
A candidate for the Artist Educator position should bring the following to the position:
- A love of theatre
- 1+ years of training and/or experience in drama and theatre practices
- 1+ years of experience working with children in one or more of Carousel Players age ranges (see job description)
- Spoken English proficiency sufficient to lead classroom lessons
Carousel Players’ Theatre School is committed to non-discriminatory hiring practices to ensure equitable access to our creative spaces for artist educators and students of diverse backgrounds and abilities. We strongly encourage members of IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour) communities to apply for this position.
Anything else I should know?
Artist Educators are required to follow the Carousel Players’ employment, arts education, and health & safety policies, available here: https://carouselplayers.com/about-carousel-players/policies
This position involves working with minors, so the candidates selected to teach programs will be required to provide a Vulnerable Sector Check completed in the past year as a condition of employment. If you do not have a current VSC, Carousel Players will cover the cost of completing this check.
See the full Artist Educator Job Description here.
How do I apply?
Please send your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in the role to Education Coordinator Elizabeth Pereira at .
This posting is ongoing. Once an application has been received, the Education Coordinator will contact the applicant to schedule an interview either virtually or in person.
If you have any questions about this position, posting, or Carousel Players, please email Kate Leathers, General Manager at .
Mentorship Opportunities
Call for Proposals - Mentorship Mondays
The Silver Spire Arts Team is accepting proposals for arts sector mentors for the upcoming Mentorship Mondays project.
What are Mentorship Mondays?
The Silver Spire Arts Team is planning a series of professional development events for the arts sector in 2023. The Fall Monday Mentorship Events will take place once a month September through December on Monday evenings. They will be two-hour events consisting of one hour with the mentor, in the format of a talk followed by a Q&A session, and one hour of open discussion and networking for participants.
At the end of the evening, participants can sign up for a one-on-one session with the mentor to take place within four weeks of the event. Mentors will provide five 30-minute one-on-ones.
Examples of Possible Mentors
– an artist discussing preparing visual art works for exhibition and documentation
– a musician speaking to the process of preparing for and recording tracks / an album
– a marketing and social media professional discussing self- or company promotion planning and execution
– an arts worker advising on the funding application process from project planning through to final reports
– an accountant discussing the world of personal finance for self-employed contractors like artists and arts workers
This is a self-employed contract position for an estimated 15-20 hours of work (preparation, Mentorship Monday event, one-on-one consultations) and the mentorship fee is $500.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a Mentorship Proposal that includes an outline of your proposed Mentorship Monday talk, a short professional biography (max 150 words), a list of at least two months when you would be available as a mentor, and a cover letter explaining your interest in mentorship to with the subject line “Arts Team Mentorship Proposal.”
Proposal must be received by 11:59pm EST on August 15, 2023 to be considered.
If you have any questions about this project or the Silver Spire Arts Team, please email the Silver Spire Arts Team by emailing with the subject line “Arts Team Mentorship Project Inquiry.”
Follow us on social media @carouselplayers for updates on job positings and auditions.
Artistic Leadership & Creative Management Internships
Carousel Players is interested in working with artists and arts workers who wish to pursue a career in Theatre for Young Audiences. Our preference is to create a personalized learning and development plan in collaboration with the artists and arts workers.
We are happy to work with you on applications to the following programs that support internships in Artistic Direction, Artistic Producing, and General Management:
- OAC – Chalmers Professional Development Projects
- OAC – Skills and Career Development: Indigenous Arts Professionals and Arts Professionals of Colour
- Metcalf Foundation – Performing Arts Interships
- Canada Council for the Arts – Professional Development for Artists
- Canada Council for the Arts – Professional Development for Arts Professionals
- Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage
If you are interested discussing an internship, please contact our Artistic Director at and/or our General Manager at .
Post-Secondary academic Internships / Co-op
High School Co-op Positions
Carousel Players is committed to mentoring emerging and aspiring artists. We believe in providing practical work experience, skills development, and guidance in working in the arts (performing and otherwise).
We work with college and university for-credit Internship and Co-op Programs, as well as DSBN and Niagara Catholic for-credit co-op placement programs. Students can choose to work with our artistic production staff, our administrative staff, our education staff, or a mix of all three.
Applied learning opportunities include graphic design, scenic painting and construction, props construction, stage management (certain terms only), community outreach, public relations, arts education, event producing, and many other areas.
Carousel Players is open to working with students to seek funding for such positions. Interested students should be aware that this type of funding can take up to six months to be approved and they should contact us at least two terms in advance of their planned internship or co-op period.
If you are interested in pursuing an internship, a co-op, or an applied learning course with Carousel Players, please send a letter of interest and a resume to General Manager Annie Slade at or call 905-682-8326 *23.
Need help writing a cover letter and resume for your application?
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/student-resume-examples-and-templates-2063555
new play development
Carousel Players contributes to new play development of theatre for young audiences, providing dramaturgical support for playwrights and workshop opportunities at every stage of the development process. Carousel produces world premieres of new scripts by Canadian playwrights, and tours those productions regionally, provincially and nationally, assisting in disseminating new works.
We involve designers early in the process through pre-production workshops to allow for conception and realization of designs. These concepts and designs are then integrated with the script through the development process. This fosters collaboration with creative professionals and honours the work of all artists, technicians, and production staff who collaboratively work on a piece.
Playwrights interested in working with Carousel Players on their work for young audiences ages 4 to 14 are encouraged to send a copy of their script and a letter of introduction to The Artistic Director will review these submissions. Please be aware that responses to submissions may be delayed due to the demands of the production cycle.
playwright in residence
Are you interested in becoming a Playwright in Residence? Carousel Players has been home to a number of playwrights interested in developing new works for young audiences.
Support is available through the Canada Council for the Arts’ Explore and Create program.
Plays Workshopped at Carousel Players between 2007 and 2022
* = produced and toured by Carousel Players
A Forest in My Room [playwright: Thomas Morgan Jones]*
Boom [playwright: Julie Salverson]
Boys, Girls, and Other Mythological Creatures [playwright: Mark Crawford]*
Fare Play [playwright: Yvette Nolan]
Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin [playwright: Jessica Carmichael]*
Here to Hear [playwrights: Linda A. Carson & Cathy Nosaty]*
Huinca [playwright: Marilo Nunez]
Lost and Found [playwright: Cole Lewis]
Meet Chloe [playwright: Cameron Grant]*
Mouse in my House [playwright: Carrie Costello]*
Nithy and the Unsolvable Case [playwrights: Matthew Gorman & Arlin Dixon]
Peg & the Yeti [playwright: Monica Dufault]*
Pop! Pop! [co-creators: Linda A Carson & Monica Dufault]*
Rez Road [playwright: Falen Johnson]
Saving Lonesome George [playwright: Gail Bowen]*
Spelling 2-5-5 [playwright: Jennifer Overton]*
The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito [playwright: Tomson Highway]*
The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh [playwright: Chris Craddock]*
The Power of Harriet T! [playwright: Michael Miller]*
The Remarkable Flight of Marnie McPhee [playwright: Daniel Karasik]*
This Will Be Excellent [playwright: Jordi Mand]*
Tick [playwright: Matthew Mackenzie]*
Velveteen Rabbit [playwrights: Jocelyn Adema, Lena Maripuu, Reanne Spitzer & Annie Tuma]*
Virginia Wolf [playwrights: Cole Lewis & Clelia Scala]
Water Under the Bridge [playwrights: Michaela Washburn & Carrie Costello]*
Water Wonder [playwright: Cheryl McNamara]*
What Katy Did [playwright: Kate Hewlett]
What’s So Funny? [co-creators: Jean-Marie Alexandre & Monica Dufault]*
Whole World [playwright: Sean Dixon]*
Recommender Grants for Theatre
a program of the Ontario Arts Council
The Recommender Grant (formerly known as the Theatre Creators’ Reserve) is a grant to support the development of theatre works by Ontario artists.
Carousel Players is a Recommender in the area of Theatre for Young Audiences and reviews submissions annually.
This years’ deadline is December 1, 2023, 1 p.m. ET
Your submission should include a C.V. and Script Sample. Artists interested in applying should visit the Program Webpage and make an application through the NOVA portal, noting Carousel Players as their recommender of choice.
Performers
Performers who are passionate about Theatre for Young Audiences are enthusiastically encouraged to apply to Carousel Players for our 2023 General Auditions.
Carousel Players is committed to telling stories that are inclusive, reflecting the multitude of diverse voices that make up our community, and we welcome applications from artists of all backgrounds.
Artists who apply will be considered for casting in future projects, including Carousel Players’ ongoing new play development work. Those selected for an audition time will be contacted.
All audition submissions will be reviewed by Kiera Sangster, director of Simone, Half and Half, and by Artistic Director, Monica Dufault.
In person auditions will be held in Toronto on May 29th, and in St. Catharines on May 30th.
Please note that Carousel Players’ work is primarily school touring productions, and that all performers are also responsible for loading and unloading the sets, and setting up/striking at each performance location.
What to submit
Please send the following to :
- A resume outlining your work in theatre
- A headshot photo
- A short letter of interest telling us why you want to work with Carousel Players
- In your letter, please outline your experience in theatre for young audiences and/or working with children, and any vocal and movement experience. If you play any instruments or have a special skill, please let us know as well.
Deadline to submit: May 12, 2023 by 9:00am
No agent packages please.
SIMONE, HALF AND HALF
By Christine Rodriguez
Director: Kiera Sangster
Production Dates: January/February 2024 and October/November 2024
Roles To Be Cast:
Simone: 14 year old girl who has a White mother and Black father. Grade 8. Working on a Hip-hop routine with her friend, Sarah.
Sarah: 14 year old girl who is White. Simone’s best friend since kindergarten. Working on a Hip-hop routine with her friend, Simone.
Jay: 14 year old boy who is Black. A new friend Simone made in her first year of high school (in grade 7).
Vanessa: 16 year old girl who is Black and in grade 10. Leader of the Black History and Culture Committee (BHCC).
Audition Details:
In person auditions will be held in concurrently with Carousel Players 2023 General Auditions in Toronto on May 29th, and in St. Catharines on May 30th. If you wish to be considered for a specific role in Simone, Half and Half at the general auditions, please identify the role(s) in your application letter.
Those selected for an audition time will be contacted and asked to prepare
- one contemporary Canadian monologue
- a short song or a single verse of a song and/or any special skill you would like to share, such as: puppeteering, acrobatics, dance, a joke, a physical comedy bit, or something else that you’re awesome at
Carousel Players is a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and engages professional artists under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement. CAEA members will be seen first at all open audition calls.
CAEA members: please identify yourself as a member in your letter of interest or on your resume.
Stage Managers
Carousel Players works with CAEA Stage Managers on all our productions. Our Stage Managers drive the company truck and participate in the load-in, strike, and pack of the set in addition to all the more usual stage management duties. They also get a lot of enthusiastic greetings and excited questions from the students in the schools where we tour. If you are interested in stage managing a tour for Carousel Players, please send a cover letter and resume to