Artistic and Technical Director - Muskegon Civic Theatre

Muskegon Civic Theatre, a community-based producing nonprofit organization, is seeking a full-time Artistic and Technical Director to begin during the summer of 2023. A qualified individual for this position will have significant experience in the artistic visioning and technical producing elements of theatrical productions, as well as significant volunteer management experience. The Artistic and Technical Director is the chief artistic officer of Muskegon Civic Theatre and is responsible to The Board of Directors. In support of the Mission of Muskegon Civic Theatre, the Artistic and Technical Director is responsible for the artistic merit of all productions and, in cooperation with the Administrator of Education, all theater education programming. It is essential to the values of MCT that the Artistic and Technical Director be a person committed to cultivating and maintaining a culture that centers on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, so that our theater volunteers, leadership, and patrons may represent all of Muskegon County.



The Artistic and Technical Director is the chief artistic officer of Muskegon Civic Theatre and is responsible to The Board of Directors. In support of the Mission of Muskegon Civic Theatre, the Artistic and Technical Director is responsible for the artistic merit of all productions and, in cooperation with the Administrator of Education, all theater education programming. It is essential to the values of MCT that the Artistic and Technical Director be a person committed to cultivating and maintaining a culture that centers Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, so that our theatre volunteers, leadership, and patrons may represent all of Muskegon County.

Requirements

● 5 years demonstrated experience in theatrical production, theatre generalist and backstage experience required, as well as artistic production and/or directing experience preferred

● Bachelor’s degree or higher in theatre arts preferred but not required

Duties

● Plan and execute artistic programs, provide vision, leadership, and direction for all artistic programs and related learning activities, working cooperatively with the Managing Director and the Director of Education.

● Work cooperatively with the chairperson of the Play Selection Committee and the Managing Director to select each season’s plays with the approval of the MCT Board of Directors. Ideal candidate should be able to balance selections with an eye to production budget amounts, MCT’s diversity, equity and inclusion values, and community attendance projections.

● Provide and maintain a production budget for each show and work collaboratively with the Managing Director and the Board of Directors to develop and revise production budgets as necessary, within the context of the annual operational budget.

● Provide and maintain a production calendar for each show and season and maintain MCT production history.

● Staff all MCT productions including directors, designers, stage managers, technicians, actors, scenic artists, and musicians. Communicate production budgets under which artistic staff must operate at the first production meeting for each production.

● Serve as supervisor and MCT liaison for the artistic staff of each production.

● Facilitate the audition process for each production including auditions, callbacks, casting, and provide prompt notification of casting decisions to all who audition.

● Develop artistic programs, technical training, and educational opportunities.

● Serve as Technical Director for all productions of Muskegon Civic Theatre, overseeing the management of backstage crew volunteers and technical artistic staff.

● Must have experience as a theatre generalist, with confidence in technical aspects of theatrical production including lighting, sound, scenic design and construction, costuming, properties; or proven ability to assign and manage such duties to artistic staff or volunteers within similar budget parameters.

● Oversee the physical plant of the Scene Shop. Including but not limited to development and retention of scenic volunteers, inventory and oversight of MCT property held at the Scene Shop, and coordinating maintenance of the building and property.

● Provide oversight of each production’s technical details, including all production meetings, move-in, performances, and strike to ensure the highest standards in design and performance.

● Establish a mentoring program for novice artistic staff, in order to develop a steady stream of new artistic staff by training volunteers within the MCT community, over the course of time.

● Maintain a database of artistic personnel to facilitate the staffing of productions and educational programs. Complete criminal background checks on all staff or volunteers in roles interacting with children.

● Fulfill duties of artistic staff on productions where response is low or in the case that a hired staff member becomes unable to fulfill their contract for a given production.

● Develop and maintain positive relationships with actors, technicians, and all volunteers in order to actively recruit and retain a steady stream of MCT participants.

● Assist with promotions, marketing, and program preparation as directed.

● Serve as artistic and technical advisor for the MCT Education Division.

● Perform other related duties as the needs of the Muskegon Civic Theatre evolve.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to apply@muskegoncivictheatre.org by May 15th, 2023.
Salary: 35,000-45,000