Artistic Director
Olympia Family Theater
Administrative
About the project and the company
Since 2006 Olympia Family Theater has been producing a thoughtfully selected season of community theater for young audiences, creative drama classes, and workshops for youth from infancy through teens and adults. We strive to make our programs affordable and are committed to creating a fun, supportive place to work and play together. We provide technical training and experience both on stage and behind the scenes to both the young people and the adults who work with us as students, volunteers, or staff. Our performances and community activities allow us to educate as well as entertain as we explore complex themes and important issues through the magic of theater. We lease a facility in the heart of downtown Olympia that includes a 100 seat theater, large lobby, office, scene shop, and costume/prop storage.
Job Description
The Artistic Director (AD) reports directly to the Board of Directors and is responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the artistic vision and focus of Olympia Family Theater. The AD ensures the high caliber of Olympia Family Theater’s productions, educational programs, camps and workshops. The AD works in partnership with staff on program development and representing Olympia Family Theater to the greater community. Responsibilities: Artistic Vision: The Artistic Director oversees the selection of each season’s productions, and the focus of educational programs, youth camps and classes. The AD develops new artistic, educational and outreach programs that are in line with Olympia Family Theater’s mission, and supports their highest quality implementation. Collaboration and Leadership: The Artistic Director oversees staff, actors, designers, and technicians to create exemplary productions that entertain and educate. The AD recruits and supports guest directors, and functions as the producer and backup director in case of emergencies. The AD serves as the producer/production manager for all productions (including after school productions), runs production meetings, and selects and provides oversight to production staff, technical staff, and production volunteers. Education: The Artistic Director collaborates with and supervises the work of the Education Director. Together, they develop, implement and oversee all educational programming. The AD participates in hiring teaching staff and advises in regards to managing staff, students, and communication with parents. Communication: The Artistic Director acts as a spokesperson for Olympia Family Theater both internally with staff and volunteers, and externally in the South Sound community, with the press, and with foundations and benefactors. The AD approves communications about the theater including language for programs, web pages, outreach and fundraising materials. The AD shares the front-of-house manager responsibilities for all productions with the rest of the staff. Administrative and Planning: The Artistic Director supports the Operations/Marketing Manager in developing the annual budget by identifying production, camp, and class needs. As the leader of a non-profit organization, the AD reports to the Board of Directors on the theater’s productions and participates in all fundraising activities and events. Benefits: Pre-tax stipend for personal healthcare, sick leave, and vacation pay. Benefits are available after a 90-day probationary period Position Details: Job Hours: 30 hours per week (Hours are primarily during business hours but require flexibility for some evenings and weekends) Pay: starting at $20 - $25 hourly Reports to: Board of Directors
Required Qualifications
❖ 3+ years’ experience in theater production, and directing theatrical performances ❖ 3+ years experience in supervising professional staff and volunteers ❖ Excellent oral and written communication skills, and a passion for sharing the performing arts with the greater community ❖ Organized and creative, able to work under deadlines and on a limited budget ❖ Highly motivated self-starter who enjoys helping organizations grow and develop ❖ Awareness of, and commitment to, practices that expand diversity, equity and inclusion
Desired Qualifications
❖ Experience designing and implementing a fundraising plan; letter writing, grant writing and/or event management ❖ Experience working at a non-profit theater, TYA company, or in Children’s Theater ❖ Experience in planning and organizing a theatrical season ❖ Experience on stage in the performing arts and/or in any aspect of technical theater ❖ Experience working backstage or in other technical theater arts ❖ Bachelor’s degree in theater, education, or a related field
Other details
***Employment is contingent upon the completion and verification of a background check
Olympia Family Theater is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse,
inclusive, and empowering workplace. We believe that having staff and volunteers with diverse
backgrounds enables OFT to better meet our mission and serve the children and families of
Thurston County and beyond. We recognize that opportunities in theater and other creative
industries have historically excluded and continue to disproportionately exclude Black and
Indigenous people, people of color, people from working class backgrounds, people with disabilities,
and LGBTQ+ people. We strongly encourage individuals with these identities to apply.
Additional information
Preferred method of submission
Pay Rate
$31,200- 39,000 annually @ 30 hours per week
Audition location
Olympia WA
Submission instructions
To apply, please send the following to Jen Ryle, Artistic Director jenryle@olyft.org 1) Cover letter 2) Resume 3) Three professional references. No phone calls please..
Employement type
Salary