Artistic Director

Marin Theatre Company (MTC) seeks its next Artistic Director(s) to partner with Managing Director/CEO Meredith Suttles in rebuilding and evolving one of Marin’s most vibrant cultural institutions. MTC is eager to re-imagine a new future and seeks a leader(s) who wants to engage in curating intentional artistic experiences that positively impact the surrounding community. MTC welcomes applications and submissions from an individual or from a team who aspire to share this exciting role, and additional context can be found in the application instructions.

Reporting to the Board of Directors and co-leading with the Managing Director/CEO, MTC’s next Artistic Director(s) will be a visionary leader with a proven track record of artistic excellence, equitable leadership, and skillful administration who can help to design, implement, and inspire a courageous new path forward.

Keys responsibilities include:

Organizational Leadership & Culture
● Partner with the CEO/Managing Director to facilitate an inclusive work culture that sets MTC apart as a great place to work
● Create a collaborative leadership model that includes many voices to curate a varied mainstage season of plays, activities, experiences and / or other community engagement opportunities annually
● Supervise and manage the artistic and production departments including Associate Artistic Director, National New Play Network (NNPN) Producer-in-Residence, and Director of Production
● Assist and participate in monthly Board meetings with written reports prepared in advance to keep Board of Directors informed on all artistic/educational matters

● In collaboration with the MD and Board of Directors, evaluate the current state of the organization. Periodically establish, implement and review a strategic direction for MTC.
● Mentor and provide education and professional development opportunities to early-career members of the staff.

Artistic Curation, Producing, and Education
● Articulate and implement an annual artistic plan for MTC reflective of a transparent process of selection
● Ensure MTC’s artistic productions, experiences, activities and events meet or exceed existing or newly established artistic goals
● Lead a robust, open and collaborative process for curating work that connects with the community and cultural pulse of the time
● Serve as or delegate a lead producer for all MTC productions and ensure production values and work culture meet or exceed goals
● Develop programming and production budgets as part of MTC’s annual program budgeting process in collaboration with the MD, GM
● Develop and implement an annual educational plan in coordination with the AAD or Director of Education ensuring its in dialogue with our community, our mainstage shows and / or mission for creative work and development
● If the candidate is a director, direct one production per season (to be considered on a case-by-case basis in the context of onboarding, prior commitments at time of hiring, etc.)
● Proactively seek co-production, presenting, and other partnership opportunities
● Identify opportunities for MTC to develop and/or participate in the cultivation of new work.
● Grow, nurture, and maintain a network of directors, designers, playwrights, and other theatre artists

External Affairs & Resource Development
● Propose creative ideas that expand artistic offerings, provide additional income streams and reach new audiences beyond mainstage plays
● Participate actively in fundraising in collaboration with the Board and Managing Director/CEO, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual and institutional donors
● Serve as an engaging public ambassador in Mill Valley Small Business Association, City Council, Marin County Arts Commission and other Marin County business organizations
● Participate actively in the Bay Area theatre community and in particular within Marin County embracing their role as civic leader
● Champion MTC’s vision and mission at performances, special events, and at industry events within the Bay Area and nationally.

Requirements

The Search Committee seeks the following qualities in MTC’s next leader(s):
● A passionate candidate who believes in the power of art to transform and heal a community
● A collaborative approach to theatre making that achieves artistic excellence while supporting the makers and artists in the process
● A leadership style that builds consensus around a central vision while encouraging contributions of the collective
● An adaptable, creative leader who is personally committed to advancing the values of equity and inclusion
● An established track record of creating excellent live experiences as a producer, director, or theatre maker, including new plays as well as experimenting with other formats
● Production budgeting expertise with experience as a line producer preferred
● Executive level understanding of revenue generation, both earned and contributed
● Demonstrated commitment to diversity in our field including an understanding of the issues surrounding access, implicit bias, and institutional racism
● A diplomatic candidate motivated by new ideas, methodologies, and approaches that expand the reach of theatrical activity
● Well established network of local and national artistic collaborators
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills grounded in deep emotional intelligence and a demonstrated success in building strong relationships and community networks
● Strong connection or experience to the Bay Area is desired
● A Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in Fine Arts, Theatre, Arts Administration OR any equivalent combination of education, professional training, and experience that provides this knowledge and skillset

The follow special requirements are in place without exception:
● Possession of or the ability to obtain prior to employment, a valid Class C California Driver’s License and a good driving record.
● Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
Depending upon assignment, the work may either be indoors or outdoors. There may be some light physical work in the handling of supplies and equipment. There may be some physical work in the lifting and carrying of stage equipment and art supplies.

Physical demands may include the following:
● Ability to sit for long periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, grasp, write, and perform repetitive motions
● Ability to complete tasks with or without reasonable accommodations
● Exert up to 20 lbs of force occasionally and / or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects with the human body.
● Hearing and speaking ability sufficient to carry on a conversation with another individual in person and over the telephone.
● Visual ability sufficient to read and produce printed material and information displayed on a computer screen.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, while others tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. We are less concerned with you meeting every qualification than we are with assembling a diverse pool of values-aligned candidates who share our vision and mission, and are confident that with a strong base of skills and experience, the remainder of the job can be learned. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role.

Salary range for this position is $130,000-140,000, commensurate with experience, for an expected two (2) year initial contract term. Marin Theatre Company offers Executive Housing, and an extensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 403B retirement plan, flex time, option for occasional remote work, and competitive paid time off (vacation, holiday, and sick time).