New Works and Humanities Manager - Two River Theater

New Works and Humanities Manager Job Description

Status: Full Time/Benefits Eligible/Exempt

Reports to: Artistic Director

POSITION OVERVIEW

Two River Theater (TRT) seeks a passionate, versatile, and highly collaborative theater professional to add their unique perspective to Two River’s robust theater making, storytelling, and mission and values driven practice.

The New Works and Humanities Manager holds a key position on the Artistic team. This individual will report to TRT’s Artistic Director and work closely with TRT’s Artistic, Production, Marketing, Education, and Development teams. This position plays a leading role in artistic cultivation, development, and curation of new works for the stage; outward and inward facing humanities programming; and engaging with our community, both within and outside our doors.

Focusing on New Play and New Musical development, fostering artistic relationships, deepening audience and community interaction with the work beyond the stage, and representing the theater locally and in the national conversation throughout the field, exciting candidates will have deep artistic insight, an ability to communicate clearly, sensitively and supportively, and a demonstrated skillset that ranges across genres, milieus, and aesthetics.

ABOUT TWO RIVER THEATER

Two River Theater produces a theatrical season that includes American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, we also offer 40+ events that reflect our diverse community of Red Bank, New Jersey. Two River produces work on two stages—the 350-seat Rechnitz Theater, and the flexible 110-seat Marion Huber Theater. The theater’s recently opened Center for New Work, Education and Design is a three-story facility that includes two rehearsal studios, artist labs, classrooms, expanded shops and centrally located offices. Two River Theater has commissioned and premiered original projects including Be More Chill by Tony Award nominee Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz (the theater’s first Broadway production) and Hurricane Diane by former Playwright-in-Residence Madeleine George (which won an Obie Award for its Off-Broadway run). In June 2019, Two River was nationally recognized by USA TODAY as one of “10 great places to see a play” across the U.S. Two River serves thousands of students and community members through arts and humanities programs at the theater, in schools and throughout its region. Two River Theater is led by Artistic Director Justin Waldman and Managing Director Nora DeVeau-Rosen and was founded in 1994 by Joan and Robert Rechnitz.

MISSION

We create great American theater by developing and producing new works and world masterpieces that most richly direct our gaze to the life of the human spirit. We cultivate an audience that cherishes the intimate joy of theater, enriched when shared by a community of others.

VISION

To be a theater whose work contributes to the canon of world theater and is a vital cultural resource for our community.

OUR CORE VALUES

Artistic Excellence: We nurture and challenge the visions of adventurous theater artists. Our commitment to the artistic process is sustained over time through an investment in people, their creative process, and our dedication to the highest artistic standards.

Education and Community Engagement: We make our theater a welcoming resource for all. We create engagement programs and partnerships that encourage all voices to come together in conversation around the stories we tell. We invest in the next generation of artists and audiences by introducing students and lifelong learners to the possibility and adventure that theater brings to our lives.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: We believe that the essence of theater is democratic: it invites us to encounter, consider and perhaps adopt other points of view, if only for a brief time in a darkened theater. We aspire to build an environment in which artists, audiences, employees, and Board members from different backgrounds and experiences together form an institution that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive.

Operational Excellence: We dedicate ourselves to the highest standards in our governance, management, operational, and financial practices. We are committed to developing and retaining an experienced and accomplished staff, an engaged and informed Board of Trustees, and a working environment that attracts staff, volunteers, and artists of the highest caliber.

Two River Theater is dedicated to the goal of building an equitable and culturally diverse work environment and strongly encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups. We encourage all candidates to apply, even if they do not currently meet all qualifications. We know there are great candidates who may not have all the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other fully transferable skills. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• Administer the literary office, including managing, evaluating, and providing coverage on approximately 300 script submissions per year

• Maintain an active pipeline of new-play development projects and activities, including commissions, and providing dramaturgical support for readings and workshops

• Cultivate relationships with writers, directors, literary agencies, and fellow theaters as a pathway to bringing new projects to Two River

• Contribute to logistics of producing readings of works in development, including coordinating schedules, arranging space, providing and maintaining materials, and casting, as needed

• Provide dramaturgical research for productions

• Plan and implement Humanities activities that support and deepen the work on stage and in communities including, but not limited to: Inside Two River audience-engagement program, open rehearsals, informational lectures around performances, lobby displays, talkbacks, affinity spaces, amongst other initiatives

• Write copy and articles for show programs

• With the Artistic Department, help select plays and musicals for the theater’s season.

• Represent the organization by attending readings and productions – both locally in New Jersey and New York or nationally, when necessary

• Work with the Development team to contribute and disseminate artistic information and strategy for fundraising purposes

• Collaborate with Two River’s Marketing and Education departments on promotional events, online strategies, school residencies, and special programs

• Providing general administrative support for the Artistic department

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS:

• Strong knowledge of theater history and dramatic literature, both plays and musicals; a background in dramaturgy is a big plus

• Deep commitment to EDIA and anti-racist practices

• Awareness and understanding of contemporary theater and current trends in playwriting;

• Passion for the theater and new work in particular

• Excellent writing and strong oral communication skills

• A positive attitude, ability to think creatively, and collaborative work style

• Should exhibit a high degree of organization, attention to details and ability to multitask

• Must be proficient with computers, especially Word and Excel

• Ability to work on selected weekday and weekend evenings required

• Valid Driver’s License

• High energy and passion for Two River Theater’s mission

Previous experiences and positions, are not limited to, but could include: literary manager, dramaturg, producer, arts engagement professional, general manager, stage manager, artist agent or manager, in regional and/or commercial theatre.

Compensation: $50,000-$55,000. Benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, paid vacation, personal time and a 403 (b) retirement plan.

To Apply: Candidates should submit a cover letter (include where you saw this job posting), detailed resume, and contact information for 2-3 references to Dennis Chambers, Associate Producer at dchambers@trtc.org. No phone calls please. The New Works and Humanities Manager position will commence immediately. All applicants must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and must provide proof of vaccination if hired.

Please apply by: Friday, April 14th

Subject line should read: New Works and Humanities Manager

TRT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer offering competitive salary and full benefits. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.
Salary: 50,000-55,000