Artistic Programs and Production Manager
Job Title: Artistic Programs and Production Manager
Reports To: Artistic Executive Director and Producing Artistic Director
Location: Lawrenceville / Pittsburgh, PA
Job Type: Full Time Exempt
Attack Theatre is seeking an Artistic Programs and Production Manager who will provide essential production and organizational support for the artistic programs of Attack Theatre. As the “bridge” between the varied programs, this position will be the connector between artistic, administration and production personnel. The Artistic Programs and Production Manager works closely with the Artistic Executive Director and Artistic Director to ensure that projects are managed and implemented with clarity, creativity, and care while leveraging the company’s curiosity, dedication, and history.
The Artistic Programs and Production Manager will be a thought partner and play a vital role in the ideation and implementation of artistic programs. They will coordinate the logistics of all productions and artistic activities, collaborative and commission-based projects, as well as scheduling the Company Dancers with the education team for community programs and school partnerships. This position ensures that the Company Dancers and Artistic Directors have the tools, time, and information they need to be successful in production and creative learning environments. This essential role is highly collaborative and deeply systems and detail driven, with a primary goal to transform ideas into resonant action.
About Attack Theatre
Attack Theatre is a Pittsburgh-based dance company that creates work at the intersection of art and community, resulting in programs that are personal, authentic, welcoming, and fearless. Under the artistic direction of Peter Kope and Michele de la Reza, Attack Theatre maintains a commitment to remain curious in our investigation of new ideas and productions; to collaborate through deliberate, interdisciplinary partnerships; and to connect with local and global communities providing accessible, creative learning opportunities. The company realizes this vision through interdependent programming, performing in collaborations and commissions with diverse cultural and community partners, bringing dance and movement into the classroom and community, and touring throughout the region nationally and internationally.
Rooted in reflection, investigation, and imagination, Attack Theatre connects with over 4,000 students, educators and community members of all ages each year; providing dance and creative learning programs that support physical, emotional, cognitive and creative wellness.
Attack Theatre Values
With a move to the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Attack Theatre's new home offers performances, classes, and community events; and strives to be an inclusive epicenter of dance, learning, and community partnerships.
- Cultural Responsibility: We commit to becoming a community of learners through equitable practices that celebrate and support the creative in all of us, regardless of who they are, or how they identify. We start by challenging our perspectives and expanding our artistic boundaries through empathy, and the opening of our doors, hearts, and minds to understand how every lived experience contributes to the artful expression of life through dance.
- Collaboration + Expression: At the heart of our creative process, we forge creative partnerships with artists, audiences, and communities to cultivate a spirit of inquiry and experimentation as an integral part of our artistic vision.
- Learning: We nurture the next generation(s) of artists, thinkers, and leaders through creative learning programs rooted in reflection, curiosity, and imagination.
What You’ll Be Doing:
Attack Theatre has robust systems, technology, tangible and intangible assets that allow the Artistic Programs and Production Manager the tools and strategies to effectively implement and track artistic programs. While the people and knowledge of Attack Theatre create a supportive road map for success, the Artistic Programs and Production Manager must also be an exceptional problem-solver, insatiable learner and illuminating guide who is committed to the power of authentic engagement and movement as an essential part of creating, living and learning.
The following provides a detailed list of the potential for the role. We know there are great candidates that may not have all the qualifications or experiences listed but possess intuitive knowledge or other transferable skills. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
Artistic Administration
Do you thrive working within organizational and technology-centric systems? And at the same time enjoy rapid prototyping with tissue boxes, gaff tape and zip ties? We do, too. You’ll be working with your hands and Airtable, Slack, Egnyte, Qlab, Microsoft Suite, Adobe Creative Suite and more!
- Serve as a thought partner and collaborator to the Artistic Directors in the conceptualization and actualization of artistic programming.
- Connect through verbal and written communication to collaborators and external partners with clarity, compassion and creativity.
- Manage the schedule of artistic activities, rehearsals, collaborations, touring and “bespoke experiences”.
- Assist Artistic Directors in the recruiting, auditioning, and managing performers, designers, technicians and program personnel.
- Manage contracting for artistic and production personnel and vendors and maintain and track production budgets.
- Represent the artistic team in external and internal meetings and convenings as needed.
- Track data from creative programs to contribute to the reporting for grants, marketing, board and other purposes.
The Bridge
You are the glue! Your communication between the artistic, administration, and education departments keeps us all cool, calm, and collated.
- Serve as a conductor of communication and information flow between administrative staff and artistic staff.
- Contribute to the translation and articulation of ideas and concepts from the creative process to other parts of the organization; especially marketing and development.
- Serve as the liaison and advocate for company dancers within the organization.
Programmatic Business Development
You are part of a team of imaginators. There are no two seasons (or months) that are identical, and there is always an opportunity on the horizon. We value your opinions, action-plans, and your desire to support the entrepreneurial spirit of this organization.
- Join the Artistic Executive Director for partnership meetings, lead follow-up efforts and collaborate on the communication and development of new commissions, partnerships and “bespoke experiences.”
- Assist with the preparation of pitches, proposals, and email reach-outs to develop new partners and programs.
- Assist with the articulation of artistic programs for marketing and development needs.
- Represent the Artistic Directors at staff, program and partners meetings as needed.
- Create S.M.A.R.T. roadmaps for the actuation of revenue opportunities within creative programming.
Production
Close your computer and help unroll the Duvetyne while we talk about the schedule, ideas and needs for the next day. These informal and essential sessions will empower you to translate brainstorms and ideation into action steps and works of art.
- Assist with the coordination, prototyping and assembling of props, sets, dance floors etc for studio, tour and home productions.
- Liaison with presenters and collaborators to provide production and logistic information.
- Liaison with Managing Director and Education Team on the scheduling and coordination of the studio.
- Maintain audio/video and costume inventory for rehearsals, and performance activities, and organize on the server for documentation.
- Provide stage management support for smaller showings and educational performances when stage managers are not employed.
- Communicate the artistic vision and parameters to videographers collaborating on performances, livestream and film, projection or educational programs.
- Assist with the research, securing, and transforming spaces for site-specific performances and events.
- Organize and optimize studio spaces for rehearsal, performance, external users and storage.
- Serve as a lead coordinator for the production elements, set-up and break-down of Special Events and collaborate on the vision with the programmatic team.
Other duties as assigned (like shopping on the internet for the yards of pink tinsel or making sure the kegerator is ready for Game Night)
Requirements
The ideal candidate has a collaborative spirit and is highly adept at managing multiple projects and anticipating needs. This person is a creative life-long learner, a maker, and experienced in the performance field. We are seeking a candidate who is detail oriented, self-motivated, energized by workflow systems and digital tools, and thrives in a fast-paced collaborative work environment that values a human-centered design approach to ideation and implementation.
The candidate must also have the following:
- Minimum two years of experience as an employee in a performing arts organization with experience in areas such as artistic coordination, production stage management, arts programming and/or non-profit management and related positions
- Performing arts background/familiarity (dance or theater preferred)
- Excellent writing skills and communicator
- Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience with a variety of software platforms and the desire to utilize technology as an effective tool for project management
- Flexible, curious, and committed to learning
Experience with:
- Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite
- Project Management software for personal and organizational workflow effectiveness
- Knowledge of hand or power tools and/or interest in learning
- Basic sound or lighting programs and/or interest in learning
What we offer:
- Salary of $40,000 - $47,000 annually DOE
- Unlimited PTO
- Health, dental, and vision insurance (dental and vision 100% company paid)
- 401K retirement plan with company match
- Free classes and studio space (when available)
- Primarily in-person work location with weekly work-from-home options and work hour flexibility. Due to the nature of Attack Theatre programs, some on-site nights and weekends are required.
- Professional but relaxed office atmosphere, no corporate dress code, and pet-friendly
To safeguard the health of our employees and their families, our audiences, students, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations, Attack Theatre is requiring all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and successful applicants must be able to provide proof of vaccination before hire.
Additional Requirements: Given the nature of the schedules, the applicant must have the ability to adjust work hours as needed. Position may include early mornings and some weekend and weeknights on an as-needed basis. This position requires traveling frequently to neighboring communities and counties and applicant must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license. Must pass all required PA background checks and clearances (Act 33/34, PA Criminal Records Check and Federal Criminal Background Check).
Attack Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We are committed to diversity in all areas of our work, on and offstage. We encourage applicants with a unique cultural perspective inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, class, physical ability, and sexual orientation. Offices, studio and classroom spaces are ADA compliant.