Producer/Thought Partner - Anna Deavere Smith Projects

Position Description

Title: Producer/Thought Partner

Reports to: Anna Deavere Smith

Employment period: ASAP 2022—2023

Classification: Full-time exempt

Location: New York City, with extensive travel



Anna Deavere Smith and the “Pipeline: Girls” Projects

In her acclaimed play and subsequent HBO film, Notes From the Field, playwright/activist/actor Anna Deavere Smith examined how young people from impoverished communities must contend with the possibility of incarceration from very early in their lives.



Continuing her investigation of juvenile justice, Anna is now turning her lens specifically to girls and young women. She and her team will immerse themselves in communities across the US to conduct research. The end result will be a theater piece, a series of essays, and other creative projects that reveal how girls in contemporary America fit into ecosystems of poverty.



Position Overview

A pivotal position, the selected candidate will work closely and in tandem with Anna Deavere Smith to discuss, strategize, visualize, and communicate the “Pipeline: Girls” project and related work. The position supports and partners with Anna both creatively and administratively.



Creative projects require a living breathing process. The Producer must be flexible and nimble, with a willingness to shift and re-work if/as necessary, so that the projects have room to grow.



Key Responsibilities

Work as a thought partner with Ms. Smith on all of her priority ADS Projects, especially The Pipeline Project Chapter 2: Girls, but possibly also including Lyric Opera of Chicago, Project with Office of Global Programs, New York University, as well as writing and other creative assignments.



Act as a mature, proactive, sensitive, and thoughtful “fixer,” driving a route to success by innately understanding the needs of others, especially across cultural differences. Exercise deference while knowing what has to be done to make things happen.



Develop relationships with institutions and/or venues for workshops and, working with Ms. Smith and the Company Manager, act as the main collaborating partner/liaison with all the venue partners.



Proactively mentor and guide staff to ensure an esprit de corps; monitor and react to emotional issues that might arise.



Represent Ms. Smith with production companies, theaters, and donors as needed. Host donors as necessary.



Work closely with organizations, artists, intellectuals, support staff, and representatives involved in and/or partnering on ADS projects.



Act as a spokesperson when necessary.



Position Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree, Master’s degree, or equivalent preferred

• Extensive experience in a similar position

• Strong written and verbal communications skills

• Excellent organizational skills

• Excellent listening skills

• Excellent people skills

• Entrepreneurial spirit

• Sense of humor

• Experience working in environments of racial diversity

• Ability to travel to different locations for 2-4 weeks at a time

• Ability to work independently, but also to interact and be a thought partner



Traits and Characteristics

• Experience working directly with performing artists or other artists preferred

• Dedication to the mission of social justice and equity

• Maturity, resourcefulness, flexibility, proactiveness, the ability to juggle many projects

• Vision and imagination

• Ability to remain calm under pressure

• Patience and flexibility

• Respectful and a willingness to adjust to what different cultures require as signs of respect



Compensation

• up to $125,000 per year

• Health benefits are not included in the compensation package



About the ADS Work Ethos

In joining Anna’s team, one is supporting the creative vision and mission of an individual artist. As this is a project, not an institution, the work must be accomplished in the course of 18 months, not years. The work is concentrated and intensive. It requires intense collaboration, information sharing, and transparency. An aptitude for experimentation and the ability to adjust as methodologies evolve are essential. One also must feel comfortable with being uncomfortable. One must be both empathic and resilient. We will necessarily be exposed to content that is disturbing.



Staff are expected to exemplify kindness, generosity, hospitality, compassion, good manners, courtesy, and respect. We are a multicultural organization. We are highly interactive with people of all social classes, nationalities, races and beliefs. We are very “outward focused” and strive to combine community service with our research process.



Above all, it is required that you be flexible, trustworthy and communicative.



Smith has created new forms. All of her projects have required new and innovative ways of working. Moreover, this is a dynamic time of societal and technological revision. It has a great impact in the realms of arts, culture, education, and social justice. Our work is dedicated to productive change. It is experimental in nature. We cannot anticipate all needs. Change can only happen when everyone is dedicated to it on a daily, if not molecular, level. While we will respect the parameters of all jobs as outlined, we are looking for a team of individuals who are creative problem solvers and whose daily mantra is “How can I be helpful?”



How to Apply

Send cover letter, resume, and any other relevant material you feel support your application, including three (3) writing samples to: Debbie Chinn, Managing Director: debbie@annadeaveresmith.org



Deadline to apply: March 4, 2022


Salary: $125,000