[Usittne] Job Posting: Producing Artistic Director

[Rebecca Schuetz]

Career Opening posted 11/03/2010
Producing Artistic Director, The Theater At Monmouth 
The Theater At Monmouth, The Shakespearean Theater of Maine seeks an energetic, creative artistic and managing leader to continue the tradition of producing outstanding productions of Shakespeare and the classics in Monmouth, Maine, and for tour throughout the state. 
 
A typical Theater At Monmouth season currently includes a professional touring production of a children’s show in the late spring, a 10-week summer season of repertory theater, including two Shakespeare productions, two other classic productions, and a children’s show; and a fall musical or operetta that is a merger between professional performers and community members in the chorus. Special projects are also encouraged provided they fit within the scope and established budget priorities. The Theater At Monmouth operates in the summer season under a LORT-LOA contract with Actor’s Equity. At other times, guest artist or SPA contracts have sometimes been used. The Theater’s annual budget is $500,000, there is no endowment or large fund balance, nor is there a large existing deficit.  
 
The Theater’s primary home is historic Cumston Hall, a town-owned 110-year old opera hall with 265 seats. The Theater has played a key role in renovating this historic structure, and The Theater’s success is closely associated with the hall. The Theater also owns two buildings. The former grange hall serves as a dining, rehearsal and storage hall. A large Victorian home across the street from the theater serves as a housing location, as well as the scene and costume shops. During 2010 and the first part of 2011, The Theater is embarking on a renovation of the grange hall using $450,000 in grant funding. The Capital effort will continue for the next several years, and the Producing Artistic Director will join in the effort to secure outside (non-operating) funding for the project. 
 
The ideal Producing Artistic Director candidate will have a passion for theater, especially the classics, and for bringing great art to rural communities. Artistically, the Producing Artistic Director will seek out, hire, and inspire theater artists from all over the country to bring their skills to Monmouth, Maine. 
 
As a manager, the Producing Artistic Director will develop and manage budgets, oversee personnel management, lead the Board and volunteers in all development and fundraising activities, write grants, and work to maintain and broaden business sponsors. Further, the Producing Director will guide the small administrative staff in marketing, customer service, ticket sales, and bookkeeping and financial management. 
 
The Producing Artistic Director is, for most customers, the face of The Theater At Monmouth.  
 
The Producing Artistic Director reports directly to the very active and supportive volunteer Board of Trustees, and is ultimately responsible for all The Theater’s activities: the artistic quality, the financial stability and current and future successes of The Theater.
Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to review the website, especially the 41 year performance history for a better understanding of The Theater At Monmouth. 
 
This transfer of leadership is a planned transfer, and the previous Producing Artistic Director will be available for consultations, if needed, to ensure a smooth transition and provide support as the new Producing Artistic Director learns about the Theater and the unique community that supports it. 
 
Electronic applications only are being accepted at this time. To apply, send a letter of interest outlining your artistic and managerial point of view, a current resume, and your suggestion for two seasons worth of productions for The Theater At Monmouth to: Search Committee Chair Robin Struck: drstruck at fairpoint.net. Additional supporting information and references will be requested from those who are invited into the second round of interviews. Deadline for applications is December 15th, 2010. The anticipated start date is October 1st, 2011, although an earlier start date of June 1st, 2011 may be possible.

Job Posting: http://www.theateratmonmouth.org/pd-career.html
Theater at Monmouth Website: http://www.theateratmonmouth.org 
 
 
 
>From the current Director: "A search committee has been established, and resumes are coming in, but there’s still nearly a month before the cutoff date. It’s not an easy job by any means, but it’s interesting, fun, challenging, and you get to work with all kinds of terrific people doing great plays. There’s a great Board, we’re improving the facilities all the time, and the community support is as strong as ever. 
 
The Board is very open to what kind of person should come in here next. I would guess that they will be more excited by someone with lots of energy, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a solid love of Shakespeare and the classics, than with someone who has been working in the business for lots and lots of years. So from my point of view, there’s no downside for even submitting a long shot application. 
 
So apply! Or share this with your friends and encourage them to apply!  I think there are great days ahead for doing theater in rural communities, and believe me, there’s no better place to live than in central Maine. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and it’s a wonderful place to create art."
 
 
I enjoyed working there for several years and would be happy to answer questions if someone wants to get a feel for the company before applying. Please pass the word - it is a great theatre!
 
Thanks,
Rebecca Schuetz

 
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Rebecca Schuetz
Assistant Technical Director/Adjunct
Syracuse Stage/Syracuse University

Listen to the stage manager and get on stage when they tell you to. No one has time for the rock star BS. None of the techs backstage care if you're David Bowie or the milkman. When you act like a jerk, they are completely unimpressed with the infantile display that you might think comes with your dubious status. They were there hours before you building the stage, and they will be there hours after you leave tearing it down. They should get your salary, and you should get theirs. -- Lollapalooza Alumni Henry Rollins


 		 	   		  
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