Producer

Company Overview

ABOUT THE GRAND THEATRE 

The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwest Ontario’s premiere producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians. 

As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond. At our home in downtown London, we create productions on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the Auburn Developments Stage (144 seats). The Grand season of theatrical offerings runs from September to May, and we collaborate with companies and artists across the country through our co-productions that see London-made artistic and creative work travel to audiences nation-wide. Through our successful COMPASS New Play Development Program, the Grand is committed to developing and premiering new, original works and supporting the growth and reach of theatre writers and creators. Our recently renovated venue offers a contemporary and welcoming environment that is also home to several successful music series’, community arts rentals, cultural and special events. 

A cornerstone of the organization is our place as a teaching theatre, exemplified in our many mentorship programs and highlighted in our annual Grand Theatre High School Project. As the only program of its kind in the country and currently in its twenty-sixth year, the High School Project involves as many as one hundred high school participants annually from schools across the region. These students participate at no cost and take on roles both on stage and off, in a fully realized mainstage production under the direction of a professional creative team. 

The Grand Theatre is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lnaapéewak and Attawandaron Peoples. We acknowledge with gratitude the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional Indigenous Peoples and of all the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (also known as North America). We are honoured to live, work, and tell stories together on this land. 

 
OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & RECONCILIATION 

The Grand Theatre is committed to creating and practicing a company culture that ensures an accessible, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming space for all.  We encourage applicants to review the Grand’s commitments to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation on our website to confirm that your personal and professional values are aligned with this vision, and we invite you to reflect on these commitments in your submission.  

Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

 
The Grand Theatre (London, ON), is searching for a dynamic, outgoing, and collaborative professional as our next PRODUCER to support Artistic Operations.  Leading the Grand’s Artistic Administration activity, the Producer executes the vision of the Artistic Director’s season plan through planning, negotiation, and management of the season of plays each year.  The new Producer will be responsible for negotiating artistic contracts, collaborating with the Director of Production on creating and maintaining production budgets, managing operating and production specific grants, and building and fostering artistic relationships locally, nationally, and internationally. 

Qualifications & Competencies 

• 5-7 years of theatre administration experience  

• Budget creation and management for significant projects, including negotiation of contracts and controlling expenses;  

• Experience working in unionize environment and with collective agreements including CAEA, IATSE, ADC and/or AF of M; 

• Strategic thinker who will drive new initiatives and enhance existing programs; 

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal; sense of purpose and a tactful approach; excellent writing & proof-reading skills;  

• Understands the value the Grand plays in our community, appreciates the theatrical art form, and is passionate about ensuring the Grand’s long-term success and support; 

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with excellent at time management; 

• Experienced at motivating and supervising staff; 

• Familiar with local, national, and international theatre community, and able to foster and maintain relationships. 

Essential duties and responsibilities: 
 

Artistic Administration  

• Manages artistic operations to support the artistic vision and operational efficiency. 

• Acts as the liaison between artists, agents, co-producers, presenters and tour partners. 

• Builds and fosters relationships with agents, rights holders, producers, presenters, and artists - locally, nationally and internationally.  

• Liaises with, and manages compliance of collective bargaining agreements of various unions and associations including the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT), the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (CAEA), the Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC), and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), the American Federation of Musicians (AF of M) and others as required.  

• Supports the Director of Production and Operations in the compliance of the collective bargaining agreements with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). 

• Acts as Company Management Support for artists as required (shared after hours on-wall work to provide coverage as needed).  

• Serves as public representative for Grand events with or in the absence of the Artistic Director and/or Executive Director.  

• Develops and maintains processes and materials that contribute to The Grand Theatre’s success as a respectful workplace for artists and staff.  

Season Planning and Execution 

• Works closely with Artistic Director and Executive Director on annual season planning, including playbill and budget development; 

• Manages literary and production rights including; contracts, licenses, compliance, commissions, and payments; 

• Creates and maintains production and play development activities budgets in collaboration with the Director of Production and Operations;  

• Negotiates and manages all co-production, joint production, presentation, and tour contracts (both inbound and outbound); 

• Along with Marketing Director and Executive Director develops sales budget for all productions including subscription, single ticket and special event targets.  

• Manages contract negotiations, contract creation, and compliance for; actors, directors, choreographers, music directors, musicians, fight directors, intimacy directors, dialect coaches and any artistic support staff, including cultural competency support;  

• Responds in a timely fashion to arising needs from operational or production meetings, show reports, illness/emergency within productions, surveys and other relevant parties.  

• Negotiates, creates all play development contracts (commissions, workshops, readings, etc.) 

• Knows Child Performer legislation and regulations 

• Manages and executes closing notices / extension notices – lets guest artists, agents, homeowners know; also posts and sends to Equity and other unions and associations as required. 

Grant Writing  

• Leads team in drafting and reviewing operating grants at three levels of support – Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council and City of London; 

• In collaboration with the Fund Development team, researches additional project grants & other funding opportunities and programs; 

• Leads drafting and management of production-specific project grant applications; 

Leadership/Management  

• Leads the department, supervises and mentors staff, evaluates team success and provides support in all areas of artistic administration; 

• Cultivates a respectful environment with open communication in line with organizational values;  

• Provides regular updates to the Artistic Director and with other departments; 

• Attends functions and performances as required;  

• Other duties as assigned.