Artistic Director

Company Overview

County Stage Company (formerly Festival Players) is a thriving performing arts organization located in the scenic region of Prince Edward County. With 17 seasons of experience, we bring together prominent Canadian artists to showcase their talents against the backdrop of The County's beautiful rural landscapes. Since our founding in 2006, we have focused principally on theatre productions, welcoming some of the top stage artists in the country to many venues across the region. Over the past few seasons, we have explored a broader range of artistic disciplines, expanding artistic programming to include modern dance, comedy, music and cabaret. https://countystage.ca/

Job Description

County Stage, Prince Edward County’s professional performance company, is seeking a bright, enthusiastic, and innovative new Artistic Director to join our company for the 2024 season. This is an opportunity to lead our Dora-nominated organization into a new era, within the heart of Ontario’s spectacular wine country, taking over a programmed season from outgoing Artistic Director Graham Abbey’s seven successful years. 

ABOUT YOU, OUR DREAM CANDIDATE 

Work History

Must Have

• Has run an organization of significant or comparable size
•         Has had at least five years of experience as a director and producer and therefore understands the professional theatre landscape in Canada
•      Has worked with all types of stakeholders, from boards of directors, funding bodies, donors, artists, audience
•        Has significant fundraising experience

Nice to Have:

•         Has had national and international exposure and profile
•        Has worked in other disciplines within theatre, such as actor, playwright or designer
•         A history of creating critically-acclaimed, award-winning and fiscally successful theatre productions
•      Mentorship and outreach experience

Job Knowledge & Skills

Must Have:

•        A strategic mind for the planning, hiring, programming, coordinating, execution of a season with an eye for future seasons
•      A business mind for managing budgets and securing funds
•      A marketing mind for developing and nurturing our loyal audience base
•      A tech savvy mind for collaborating on new tech software
•      An organized mind for administrative duties, reporting to the board and stakeholders, while overseeing all levels of production in a timely manner

Nice to Have:

•        Has the pulse of the theatre landscape in Canada and abroad

Leadership

Must Have:

•      High emotional intelligence and leadership skills
•      A commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
•      A commitment to community outreach, education and mentorship
•      Ability to build and nurture relationships with audience, funders, donors, artists, press and the County community at large
•       Passion for the vision and values of our company, and the ability to transmit that passion as an artist and speaker
•       Excellent written and communication skills

 Nice to Have:

•      Though this is a part time contract to start, willingness to relocate and/or commute to Prince Edward County for the summer season.
•       Ability to connect with the County community and bring new audience to the theatre

Compensation

This is a contract position with a $40,000/annum salary to start, with the potential for a full-time salary as the company grows, with the bulk of the work happening in the summer season. Programming, fundraising, grant writing and ancillary activities happen throughout the year. There is an expectation to work evenings and weekends during the summer season.

This position reports to the Board of Directors and works alongside the Incoming Managing Director.  Position begins early November 2023.