Issaquah KIDSTAGE Production Manager

TITLE: Issaquah KIDSTAGE Production Manager

STATUS: Full-time, hourly Non-Exempt

PAY RANGE: $27-$30 hourly

LOCATION: ONSITE, ISSAQUAH

SUPERVISOR: Director of Youth Education

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 27, 2024

ABOUT VILLAGE THEATRE

Based in Issaquah, WA, with operations in Everett, WA, Village Theatre is a leading producer of musical theatre in the Pacific Northwest. Producing entertaining, quality productions since 1979, Village Theatre has grown into one of the region’s best-attended theatres, with pre-Covid numbers reflecting just over 18,000 Mainstage season subscribers and 220,000 projected total attendance each season. Through its Village Originals program, Village Theatre is nationally recognized for its contribution to the development of new musicals, having supported the creation of over 175 new works to date. Village Theatre also takes pride in nurturing tomorrow’s audiences through its Youth Education programs, serving over 56,000 young people and their families annually.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESSIBILITY

Theatre lies at the intersection of storytelling and community. The stories we tell represent and influence our shared human experience. We believe that to tell these stories authentically, it is essential to employ equitable practices that are inclusive of and led by a diverse and culturally rich community. Village Theatre has a responsibility to mindfully support and design the impact these stories have on the audiences we serve, the artists we engage, the students we nurture, and the staff we entrust. Centering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in our work allows us to create a storytelling space that welcomes, celebrates, and honors all people.

More information about our journey to be an anti-racist organization and our DEIA Committee can be found here:  https://villagetheatre.org/deia/

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Production Manager plays a critical role in Village Theatre’s Youth Education program. The Production Manager is responsible for the budgetary, quality, and philosophical goals of five productions annually. The PM selects, hires for, and oversees four youth productions, including KIDSTAGE Originals (student writing program) and one fundraiser (currently Sing it Forward) annually through the KIDSTAGE philosophy of “Skills for Theatre…Skills for Life”. The PM maintains the highest standards for both the process of producing and the production quality itself and establishes and strives to meet budget goals.

Programs for Production Management: Fall and Spring KIDSTAGE Productions, KIDSTAGE Originals, SummerStock or Summer Independent, and annual fundraising event.

Hours vary and are set to best support KIDSTAGE production activities and provide maximum face time with our customers. This position is hourly and anticipated overtime hours are approximately 80-120 hours a season. Evening and weekend work is required.

All hours are on site (the majority in our Issaquah location, but sometimes there is work in our Everett location.) Remote work is acceptable from time to time, with prior approval of supervisor.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Season selection in collaboration with Youth Education Leadership.
• Hiring and managing all creative teams. (75 to 100 people annually).
• Managing and executing most of the aspects of KIDSTAGE productions including meetings, auditions, casting, communication, technical elements, and coordination with cast, students, and families.
• Technical oversight of the Hunt Family Theatre including technical setup and coordination.
• Mentoring Production Manager Students and/or production assistants.
• Budget creation (in collaboration with Youth Education Leadership), tracking, and oversight.
• Managing and assisting in executing the recruitment of new creative team members, including directors, designers, and stage managers.
• Managing and assisting in executing the recruitment of student actors, technical students, and orchestra members for all KIDSTAGE productions.
• Overseeing the Technical Training Program (TTP) students and KIDSTAGE Internship program, which includes mentorship oversight, curriculum planning, and regular student check-ins.
• Program mentoring for the Summer Independent program. Involvement in all student position hiring and onboarding. Providing production guidance to all students and coordinating communication between Summer Independent and the rest of the Village Theatre organization.
• Acting as KIDSTAGE and Village Theatre liaison for the KIDSTAGE Originals program and assisting the writing mentors in creation of writing team curriculum and script oversight as necessary.
• Creating and managing production schedule (in collaboration with KIDSTAGE Leadership) and various other tasks to meet the high standards of KIDSTAGE production program. Tracking and overseeing work tasks and schedules of union technicians (in collaboration with Village Theatre Technical Director and Production Managers).
• Working with marketing to ensure accurate messaging about production programs.
• Working with KIDSTAGE leadership to create a unified program between the Issaquah and Everett locations.
• Using a DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility) lens for all aspects of the program and decision-making.
• Being on-site during many, but not all rehearsals, all production meetings, auditions, and casting, tech, and dress rehearsals.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education and/or Equivalent Experience Required:

• Experience in technical theatre, stage management, or theatre management/arts administration, either from an educational institution or elsewhere.
• Production and/or Stage Management experience, ideally working with young people and families.
• Experience and knowledge of theatrical equipment, software, and industry safety.

Other Skills, Ability and/or Knowledge:

• Ability to multi-task.
• Attention to details.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to edit and proofread.
• Ability to plan for short term and long-term needs.
• Ability to problem solve.
• Ability to work well under pressure and represent the organization well.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 products, including but not limited to Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to collect and reconcile tuition.
• Ability to work well independently.

Scope and Character of Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position supervises both students and adult creative teams.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

COMPENSATION

• Hourly for this position is $27-$30 hourly + Overtime

Additionally, Village Theatre offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance; 403 (b) Retirement Plan with employer match; paid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick time; Flexible Spending Account; Life and AD&D insurance.  Additional information, such as waiting periods and premium rates, will be made available to final candidates.

Compensation also includes 50% discount to season tickets and KIDSTAGE tuitions as well as complimentary tickets to Mainstage and KIDSTAGE performances.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Village Theatre is committed to equitable hiring practices that center the matching of skills, interests and learned experience over education requirements and previous employment.   All applications will be redacted to provide anonymity for the candidate, then reviewed by a diverse hiring committee consisting of at least three individuals.  The committee will create a rubric for assessment using the criteria from the job description.  The committee will make recommendations on who should move on to the interview process based on the assessment.

Candidates who are asked to interview can expect a conversational, non-confrontational environment focused on questions that speak to experiences. We wish to remove any barriers to interviewing for our candidates and as such, interviews can be in person or over zoom, and at a time of day that works for the candidate. We will ask about and will meet accessibility needs.   Following an interview process, every candidate interviewed will receive a phone call to share the outcome.

To apply, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to:  resumes@villagetheatre.org with “ISSAQUAH KIDSTAGE PRODUCTION MANAGER” and your last name in the subject line.  PDF Format is preferred.  No phone calls,