Associate Artistic Director Position Available at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

THE CHILDREN’S THEATRE OF CINCINNATI JOB POSTING

ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Position Overview:

The Associate Artistic Director will assist the organization in fulfilling its mission of educating, entertaining and engaging our young audiences through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming. The Associate Artistic Director assists in the productions and administration of all TCTC productions, and maintains the artistic integrity and educational value of each production.

The Associate Artistic Director of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCTC) reports directly to the Producing Artistic Director.

Required Knowledge/Skills for Application

• Has the skills required to maintain vision and artistic integrity of the show once the production has opened
• Has the capacity to problem-solve and engage in creative thinking to overcome challenges.
• Possesses well-developed communication skills
• Carries themselves with a mature understanding of the artistic process and excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and diplomacy skills
• Is an experienced musical theatre choreographer
• Has experience in grand-scale musical and new-work conception
• Has a strong understanding of costume design, wig design, prosthetics, and stage make-up
• Understands how to light a big cast on a large stage
• Comprehends the sound design process, and had a good ear
• Has a background in puppetry, or a strong understanding of puppetry
• Reads music and comprehends different musical theatre styles
• Possesses knowledge of touring productions, stagecraft, playwriting, arts integration, arts administration, and budget management
• Works well in a stressful environment, managing many people from a wide variety of backgrounds
• Holds strong understanding of Microsoft Office

Education Level – Bachelor’s degree in theater or related field, or equivalent work experience

Main Responsibilities:

The Associate Artistic Director’s duties include but are not limited to:

Production

• Reading, researching and editing scripts with the creative team
• Attend production meetings
  • Creative input on scenic design, script needs, costumes
• Assist Producing Artistic Director and Artistic Director of Education and Outreach in deciding the season programming
  • Seek new script ideas, research the popularity of past productions
• Attend all assigned rehearsals, and performances unless otherwise excused
• Train and direct Touring actors to be excellent communicators, performers and working professionals in the field of theater for young audiences
• Assist the director with conception, creative ideas, blocking, scene study, and sight-lines
• Problem solving: bring up issues and discover solutions that may go unnoticed to the director and stage manager
• Direct or Assistant Direct assigned Mainstage or Touring Productions
• Choreograph or Assistant Choreograph assigned MainStage or Touring Productions
• Taking notes for the Director, and giving out notes after rehearsals and performances
• Work closely with the Producing Artistic Director and the Artistic Director of Education and Outreach to compose Touring and MainStage rehearsal calendars, schedules, costume and set breakdowns, and sound cues in advance of rehearsal periods

Education

• Program Director for the STAR Season
• Mailing of Scholarship Letters for STAR
• Mailing for Acceptance/Decline letters for STAR
• Coordinate STAR Program Schedule with Producing Artistic Director and Program Coordinator
• Direct Assigned STAR Program Productions
• Research and locate sheet music and scenes with STAR Program Coordinator
• Copy and bind STAR Program musical folders with STAR Program Coordinator
• Choreograph assigned STAR Program productions
• Serve as a Teaching Artist for Learning the Craft, stARTS, STAR, and Workshops
• Lead scheduled STAR rehearsals, appearances, and trips

Casting

• Attend all auditions and callbacks
• Organize headshots and resume’s post auditions
• Season casting with Producing Artistic Director
• Organize and review audition submissions via internet and mail

Load In / Load Out

• Driving the touring van, making last minute alterations, changes, buying, etc.
• Issues and problem solving during tech rehearsals
• Pick-up rented or borrowed items
• Unloading the truck after load out from The Taft Theatre
• Unloading costumes after load out from The Taft Theatre
• Return rented or borrowed items
• Oversee strike of all tours

Benefits:

• Health, vision and dental benefits available, partially subsidized by employer contributions, after a waiting period
• 403(b) retirement plan participation available, after a waiting period, with eligibility for an employer match after one year of credited service
• Generous PTO based on years of service
• Generous paid holiday schedule

How to Apply:

• Send cover letter, resume, and at least one letter of reference to: Submissions@thechildrenstheatre.com
• Application deadline: December 14, 2015
• Start Date: March – April 2016

Organizational Overview:

TCTC’s mission is to educate, entertain and engage audiences of all ages through professional theatrical productions and arts education programming. We fulfill our mission through three primary programs:

• MainStage at the Taft Theatre – We welcome 90,000 children, teachers, and family members from across the Tri-State, to one of our four family-friendly and professional musical theater productions at the historic Taft.
• ArtReach – We see over 90,000 children and their families at one of our touring performances or during an arts-integration workshop or residency.
• Learning The Craft – Over 300 children will be provided fine arts instruction, including the group that participates in the four-week intensive STAR summer program where we offer professional musical theatre training to some of the region’s most talented youth.

Vision:

• Create smiles, open minds, and touch hearts.
• Harness theater experiences and the arts as forces for education and understanding.
• Create meaningful shared arts experiences.
• Present award winning and nationally recognized productions and arts education programming.
• Foster a work environment of excellence, creativity, and innovation.

Core Beliefs:

• We believe in the power of theater to enrich lives and create deeper understandings of people, cultures, and perspectives.
• We believe that our audiences deserve high quality experiences that are rich with wonder, honesty, compassion, joy, and wisdom.
• We believe that the arts and education are not mutually exclusive.
• We believe that the art we create must respect the diversity of our community.
• We believe in the power of integrated arts education to enrich our lives and our communities.