Production Stage Manager

Company Overview

The Shaw Festival is an ensemble repertory theatre company inspired by the spirit of Bernard Shaw to create unforgettable theatre encounters.

Founded in 1962, the Shaw is the second largest theatre company in Canada, producing 13+ productions in rotating repertory every season.

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

We acknowledge and honour the land upon which we gather as the historic and traditional territory of First Nations peoples. In particular, we recognize and thank the Neutral Nation, the Mississauga and the Haudenosaunee for their stewardship of these lands over millennia.

Job Description

The Shaw Festival is currently recruiting a Production Stage Manager to join our organization. Ideally, the PSM will be contracted, at minimum, from now until December 2024 and from February to December 2025. This is typically a 10- to 11-month recurring contract. Reporting to the Planning Director and the Producer, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining exceptional standards of performance in the Stage Management department.  We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible, however, candidates who are unable to start until later in the season may also be considered.

As a member of Shaw’s Senior Management team, depending on the candidate and season, the Production Stage Manager may stage manage up to one show and understudy up to 3 shows, in addition to overseeing all functions of the department including:

•     Independently managing a Stage Management team of 13-15 persons (APSM, SM’s, ASM’s and apprentices), working in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues, including ongoing informal and quarterly formal check-ins/evaluations

•     Consulting on Stage Management departmental hiring, assignments and department structure in advance of/during each season and generally acting as first contact for HR matters in relation to the Stage Management team.

•     The recruitment, training, and supervision of two Stage Management apprentices, and the guidance of their work through specific projects.

•     In cooperation with the Planning Director and Producer, the creation of the annual rehearsal and performance schedule and facilitation of ongoing, effective, interdepartmental communication in collaboration with a large production team, to ensure the smooth execution of said schedule.

•     Co-ordination and publication of daily rehearsal schedules for a season of 13+ productions plus ancillary events such as but not limited to, the Academy Intensive, ensemble classes, fittings, coaching sessions, new play workshops and readings and daily maintenance of these intricate schedules in the company-wide database.

•     Working in partnership with the Production Department to ensure the weekly production schedule is updated and maintained.

•     Collaborating with Stage Management team to ensure deadlines are met.

•     Maintaining a clear and collaborative dialogue between the Ensemble, SM team, and Senior Management.

•     In collaboration with Producer and the Housing and Ensemble Liaison, supporting the well-being of the Ensemble and the Stage Management team.

The PSM and APSM will work together to manage the workflow, responsibilities, and schedule between these two roles and within the department as a whole.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 7 years of professional Production Stage Management and/or Stage Management experience, will have excellent attention to detail along with stellar high-level, big-picture thinking, and will possess exceptional people, communication, leadership, organizational, and multi-tasking skills.  Flexibility, adaptability, curiosity, a sense of humour, and fluency with the CTA are a must. Knowledge of a repertory system is an asset. The successful candidate must relocate to the Niagara Region prior to their start date.

As a condition of employment at the Festival, all employees and direct contractors must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination; either a full course of vaccine (e.g.: two earlier vaccinations) plus a booster, or the current vaccination (after October 2023).

Please send your cover letter and resume to Director of Human Resources, Dianne Gibbs (dlg@shawfest.com). Please include “YOUR NAME Production Stage Manager” in the subject line.

Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis, and we will contact those selected for an interview.