Assistant Director - Cambodian Rock Band

Company Overview

About Us

The Arts Club Theatre Company is Canada’s largest year-round not-for-profit theatre company. Now entering our 61st season, the Arts Club offers the best in professional theatre and has staged over 650 productions. Arts Club is grateful to have our offices, rehearsal halls, workshops, and theatres on the unceded, ancestral and traditional shared lands of the xmθkwym (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Slílwta/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. The stories on our stages reflect the beauty, culture, and artistic pulse of our city by engaging dynamic, diverse and dedicated artists.

We are British Columbia’s largest non-profit cultural employer—hiring more than 500 artists, staff, and crew to stage up to 20 shows annually. We educate and cultivate students and theatre lovers of all ages—over 2,500 people engage in our education and professional development programs annually. We support artists and other arts organizations through professional engagement activities, believing firmly that an investment in the industry benefits all. We are a major economic driver in the areas surrounding our venues—our theatres attract a quarter million theatre patrons to dine and shop in the South Granville, Olympic Village, and Granville Island neighbourhoods.

Our Mission

To inspire and nurture artists and audiences through cultural experiences that are engaging, thought-provoking, and artistically innovative.

Our Vision

A community that, through storytelling, is inspired to reflect on who we are and who we can be.

Our Values

      Determination: We have the drive to continue to move forward, with a respectful nod to our tenacious past and a fearless embrace of our future. It is through this forward momentum that we ensure we are the artistic leaders of our community.

      Curiosity: We have a strong desire to know more about ourselves, our art, and our patrons. This spirit is reflected in our willingness to make room for diversity of thought. This exploration of different viewpoints and ideas is reflected in our engagement with each other, with our art, our peers, and our community.

      Creativity: We use our imaginations to explore our artistic practice and champion innovation in all the work that we do. We believe in the depth of our local talent and use our resources to showcase it.

      Comradery: We interact with each other with good-fellowship and levity. Our spirit of generosity and warmth is seen in our empathy towards each other, our artists, our patrons, and our community. This allows us to embrace differences and makes us stronger.

      Safety: The health and well-being of each other and our community informs our work and creates a safe, inviting, and inclusive space for all who enter and interact with us. We commit to constantly review our practices to ensure they are anti-racist and non-discriminatory. We are fiercely dedicated to being an organization that continually respects, champions, and uplifts underrepresented voices in all jobs.

 We also strive to provide a safe work environment, both physically and mentally, and we have made ongoing commitments to inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression. We want the stories we work together to tell to have nuanced and varied perspectives.

Job Description

The Arts Club is currently looking to hire an Assistant Director for the Canadian premiere of CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND by Lauren Yee, which will be directed by Jivesh Parasram, Music Directed by Mary Ancheta, and performed at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. 

Show Synopsis: This darkly funny, electric new play with music tells the story of a Khmer Rouge survivor returning to Cambodia for the first time in 30 years, as his daughter prepares to prosecute one of Cambodia’s most infamous war criminals. Backed by a live band playing contemporary Dengue Fever hits and classic Cambodian oldies, this thrilling story toggles back and forth in time as father and daughter face the music of the past. This intimate rock epic about family secrets is set against a dark chapter of Cambodian history while celebrating the luminance of the once silenced music of 1970s Cambodia.

This position is funded by CIBC in support of the Denis Simpson Fund - and endowment started in 2020 that supports equality, diversity, and inclusion at the Arts Club. While our endowment continues to grow, CIBC's support of our expendable fund allows us to provide greater opportunities this season. This endowment, which will help support ongoing apprenticeships, commissions, internships, and much more, exclusively supports the continued decolonization of the institution.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director will be a part of the creative team during rehearsals, production meetings, tech week and preview week. They will learn from, and work alongside, the Director. Opportunities & responsibilities will include: working on staging, working with designers, actors, and stage management to execute the overall artistic vision of the piece. 

The goal of this position is to invite emerging artists into our spaces, and to give them a chance to learn from industry professionals while on the job. We strongly encourage applications from Southeast Asian and larger Asian diaspora artists, and people who have a personal connection with the historical elements of the show. Prior directing/assistant directing experience & musical ability are great assets, but not required.

 At this time, we are seeking Artists who are local to Vancouver as we cannot offer any additional funds for travel or accommodation

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Employment Type: Contract

The Assistant Director will be paid a total honorarium of $5,000 for roughly 220 hours of work (scheduled from February 10th, 2025– March 12th,2025)

 Engagement dates:

•         Rehearsal Starts: February 10th, 2025 (3.5 Weeks)
•          Tech Starts: March 1st, 2025
•          First Preview: March 6th, 2025
•          Opening: March 12th, 2025

The contract ends on opening night. The Show runs until April 6th, 2025

Access and inclusion are incredibly important to us. In our rehearsal spaces, our studios are situated on the first floor, ensuring accessibility without needing to use stairs. The main entrance to the building is through our Timmie Marr Door, that includes access to a ramp. Many of our doors are accessed by using a keypad to enter a secure door code. Ample seating options are provided for Artists to use while waiting or taking breaks, along with two fully private, individual accessible washrooms within the premises. Each studio is equipped with loading-sized doors, facilitating barrier free entry for mobility device users. Our performances will take place at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, while we aspire for inclusivity and accessibility for all artists, regrettably, the current infrastructure does not support mobility device users.