Position: Associate Producing Artistic Director
Status: Full-Time
Reports to: Producing Artistic Director
About WATERTOWER THEATRE:
Founded in 1996, WaterTower Theatre (WTT) is one of Texas' leading professional theatre companies and a flagship arts institution in North Texas, having played an important role as a leader in developing new talent, and new work, and encouraging the growth of the DFW artistic community through its commitment to hiring local artists.
WTT traces its origins back to Addison Community Theater (ACT) of the 1970s which began performing at the Old Stone Cottage, a 1930s WPA project that still stands adjacent to its current home at the Addison Theatre Centre. Addison Theatre Centre, completed in 1992, is an award-winning 32,000-square-foot space, including a Main Stage – a flexible black box space with seating for approximately 200 – and a smaller Studio Theatre. WTT is the resident theatre company of the newly renamed Addison Performing Arts Center. Following the success of the last few years of summer programming, WTT will debut WaterTower Summer Musicals in 2025, expanding into larger venues beginning with Dallas College Brookhaven Performance Hall with over 650 seats.
Throughout its history, WaterTower’s artistic vision, service to the community, and growing audience have led to a unique partnership with the Town of Addison, one aimed at the development of an exciting destination for residents and non-residents to experience the best in theatrical arts. Building on its reputation for being an intrepid producer of new works, WTT has garnered numerous accolades through the years. WTT’s commitment to new work is reflected in its history of world premieres including Song of Motherhood (1998), Blind Lemon: Prince of Country Blues (2001), A Country Life (2005), Creep (2015), The Spark (2015), The Great Distance Home (2017), Bread (2018), Goin’ Hollywood (2023), WTT’s Out of the Loop Festival (2002-2016), and DETOUR: a Festival of New Work. After the 2024-2025 Season, WTT will have produced over 200 plays and musicals, including 12 World Premieres and 44 Regional Premieres. WTT’s new work initiative will see its first production move from its stage in Addison to London in 2025/2026. Multiple new works are in development.
From 1999 to 2016, WaterTower Theatre was under the artistic leadership of Terry Martin. During his tenure, Martin oversaw the presentation of more than 130 productions in WTT's Main Stage and Studio Theatre. The Company was then led by Artistic Director Joanie Schultz from January 2017 to December 2018. In March 2019, Shane Peterman was selected as the Company's new Producing Artistic Director. Peterman built the company back with an exceptional team and worked with the Board of Directors, generous donors, and friends of the theatre, including the Town of Addison, to rebuild the company. During the COVID pandemic, WaterTower Theatre became one of the first in the country to switch to filmed theatrical productions. Many successful filmed productions followed including original world premiere works. In the summer of 2021, WaterTower Theatre again pioneered efforts by becoming one the first in the DFW area to reopen with an agreement with the Actors’ Equity Association by presenting an indoor play.
Position Overview:
Under the direct supervision of the Producing Artistic Director, this position will facilitate the creative management of productions and other artistic projects in addition to minor general management
responsibilities. Responsibilities include but are not limited to, support and/or management of the following areas: season selection, pre-production planning, and hiring, casting, active production oversight, readings of new works, grant assistance, workshops, front-of-house and back-of-house reports, and other special projects. This position includes direct contact with all artistic, production and box office personnel working at WTT and serves as part of the administrative leadership team.
Essential Functions:
- Assists and supports the Producing Artistic Director with the administration and management of WTT and its departments and projects.
- Contributes to the effectiveness of the Producing Artistic Director by serving as a communication link between the Producing Artistic Director, the entire organization, and outside creative and business personnel.
- Assists with supervising staff and budget management.
- Assists with grant writing and fundraising efforts.
- Works with the Producing Artistic Director on season planning and related activities; programs, curates, and supervises other artistic programs as required, including special performances for board and donor events, community events, etc.
- Acts as liaison between directors, designers, casting directors, and artistic personnel to create audition and performance schedules that fulfill AEA requirements and the needs of each production.
- Serves as the primary artistic staff person to read and evaluate submissions of new work for further development including researching new creative material. Identifies emerging performers, directors, choreographers, designers, etc. by attending various performances, readings, workshops, and college showcases.
- Participates in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion discussions and planning and maintains a professional commitment to this area of work.
- Engages and participates with staff for updates to the WTT Mission and Values Statement and culture of WTT.
- Supports the Development Department by attending and co-hosting donor events, cultivating lunches and dinners; supplying and entering information for grant applications; and coordinating talent and programming for events throughout the season in partnership with the Producing Artistic Director and staff.
- Supports the Marketing Department by contributing to email updates, informational decks, brochures, and programs. Attends and coordinates talent for publicity events. Makes live curtain speeches when necessary. Hosts numerous audience development events such as Cast Talkbacks and subscriber special events.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Required Experience:
- Excellent judgment to be used in determining which decisions and actions should be referred to the Producing Artistic Director and which items others can handle. The position requires outstanding human relations skills; tact and diplomacy are essential.
- Demonstrate highly developed presentation skills and knowledge of how the various elements of the creative process interrelate in developing a successful production.
- Experience in budgeting and managing multiple projects and team members.
- 4 years experience or degree in the theatrical arts or related field(s).
Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
- Positive attitude, strong work ethic, team member, and sense of humor.
- Proficient public speaker.
- High levels of professionalism, interpersonal skills, discretion/confidentiality, good judgment, and influencing skills with personal integrity and the ability to inspire confidence and trust.
- Professional experience as a producer, artistic director or associate, line producer, director, or artist or performer.
- Experience communicating effectively both verbally and in writing that can translate to artists, actors, casting agents, managers, executive leadership, teams, Board members, partners, and diverse stakeholder groups.
Salary:
$50,000-$65,000 annually
Apply:
WaterTower Theatre is committed to hiring high-caliber individuals of diverse backgrounds. We strive to provide our staff with a nurturing and inclusive environment, equal for all employees, and optimal outcomes for their success. WaterTower Theatre celebrates diversity and believes it
enriches our work environment and the work on our stage.
Send a resume and a cover letter outlining your recent professional credits and their relevance to this position, and clearly state why you are uniquely qualified to be WaterTower Theatre’s Associate Producing Artistic Director to line producer Erica Harkins at: eharkins@watertowertheatre.org, with the subject line: Associate Producing Artistic Director
Submissions will be accepted through Friday, January 17th.