Associate Artistic Director – Director of New Works

Arena Stage•Washington, DC

41d

About The Position

Arena Stage is the voice of American theater resident in our nation's capital. Focused on American artists, our productions are innovative and representative of stories from across the country. We nurture new plays and reimagine classics. We celebrate our democracy and diversity through a multitude of voices in our productions and community engagement programs to inspire people to action. WHAT WE VALUE A work culture that values experimentation and collaboration. Excellence in all aspects of our endeavor. Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion throughout the Organization and within our audience and the community. Community Service through education and public engagement. Lead effective partnerships and collaboration to serve artists and arts professionals. WHAT YOU'LL DO Facilitate and execute Arena's Stage Artistic Director's ambitious vision for new play development. As Director of New Works, under direction of Arena's Artistic Director, you will oversee projects developed by Arena Stage and serve as primary point of contact for commissioned artists. You will also serve as a core member of the Producing Team, support the mainstage producing work of Arena's other Associate Artistic Director [Lead Producer], and operate as a necessary stakeholder in season planning and scouting of future projects. Additionally, you will serve as both director and producer for Arena's Season Launch Event and annual Gala, and provide as-needed producing support for Arena's Annual Community Day. In partnership with co-Associate Artistic Director, the Associate Artistic Director [Director of New Works] will co-supervise the Artistic Department. Reporting to the Artistic Director, you will work closely with the Executive Producer, Artistic Director, and senior leadership team to ensure the artistic rigor and enduring vitality of Arena Stage.

Requirements

5+ years of producing experience at LORT/Off-Broadway
Extensive understanding of LORT rules and theatrical union
An ambitious self-starter with immaculate attention to detail, and excellent facility with project management and budgetary oversight.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; confident public presence, and ability to represent Arena Stage in internal and external settings.
Strong leadership and team management experience, with ability to mentor and inspire staff toward collective goals.
Strong aptitude for building local, national, and international relationships with producing peers, directors, playwrights, agents, managers, commercial producers, and non-profit funders as an ambassador for Arena Stage.
Willingness to travel for project scouting and professional development
Strong willingness to clear nights, weekends, and holiday schedules as needed to support producing and other institutional needs.
Ability to handle sensitive artistic information with
Advanced Proficiency with Microsoft Office, G-Suite, and various cloud storage platforms (e.g. AirTable, Dropbox, Vimeo, etc.).
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Commensurate directing experience desired, but artistic opportunities not

Responsibilities

Manage New Play Development
Produce readings and workshops on various contracts that provide bespoke developmental support, honoring a project's current needs.
Collaborate across departments to ensure development work is appropriately calendared, adequately staffed, and reasonably attended, including working with Artistic Director and Chief Development Officer to identify funding opportunities and invite appropriate stakeholders.
Manage Literary departmental email account, ensuring messages find intended
Lead Produce Institutional Programming
Season Launch Event & Annual Gala
Under direction of Artistic Director and in collaboration with Producing, Development, Events, and Marketing Teams, oversee on-time hiring (talent, stage management, and various consultants as needed) and on-time delivery of design deliverables and marketing materials.
Under direction of Artistic Director and in collaboration with Artistic Team, oversee development and on-time delivery of scripted remarks.
Under direction of Artistic Director, conduct necessary rehearsals and direct event to successful completion.
Additional Producorial Support
In partnership with co-Associate Artistic Director, under direction of Artistic Director, provide as-needed producing support for Arena's robust onstage programming.
Including, but not limited to: pre-production support, tech, preview, and production meeting coverage, commercial producing team support.
Submit room run, design run, tech run, and preview notes to Artistic
In partnership with Community Engagement Team, under direction of Artistic Director, provide as-needed producing support for Arena's annual Community Day event.
Curatorial Support
In partnership with Producing Team and senior leadership, support Artistic Director and Executive Producer throughout iterative, multi-month season-planning/budgeting process programming plays, musicals, and other theatrical events in Arena's 680-seat (in-the-round) Fichandler Stage, its 510-seat (modified thrust) Kreeger Theater, and its 200-seat (flexible proscenium) Kogod Crade.
Read and provide feedback on artistic materials at direction of Artistic
Attend and submit coverage for readings, workshops, and productions as
Build and develop relationships with national and international peers, agents, and commercial producers in service of scouting projects for programming consideration.
In collaboration with Development Team, support on-time completion of grant proposals for future programming.
Departmental Leadership
With support from Artistic Administrator, and in partnership with co-Associate Artistic Director, ensure smooth departmental operation through timely submission of financial documentation to Artistic Director and Chief Financial Officer.
Including, but not limited to: annual departmental budget drafts, individual project budgets, monthly credit card reconciliations, weekly departmental budget snapshots, and regular budgetary forecasting.
Attend Senior Staff and Board Meetings and report on work as requested by Artistic
Provide as-needed producorial support for co-Associate Artistic Director under direction of Artistic Director.
In collaboration with co-Associate Artistic Director, manage agendas for Producing and Artistic Departmental meetings.
Professional Development
Attend conferences and seminars as assigned and report back on topics
Submit timely performance self-evaluations as well as evaluations for Artistic Department members, in partnership with co-Associate Artistic Director and work with Artistic Director to identify growth opportunities and advancement trajectories.