POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Managing Director, Theatre and Dance
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2146
GRADE 44
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Dean of Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
GENERAL FUNCTION
The primary duties of the Managing Director, Theater and Dance are promoting the Department of Theatre and Dance and the department’s program of scheduled performances throughout the academic year and serving as Business Manager for Tent Theatre. The Managing Director oversees the design the departmental web pages, plans and implements a marketing campaign for theatre productions, determines the graphic design and visual representations associated with productions, prepares promotional materials for theatre productions in all media, and manages the front of the house for productions. As Business Manager for Tent Theatre, the Managing Director designs, develops, and implements the annual underwriting campaign and obtains in-kind donations to generate revenue, oversees the allocation of scholarship funds for students participating in Tent productions, develops and initiates the contracts for talent, develops the production cost budget for the three Tent productions, oversees concessions, schedules casting auditions, and trains and supervises a staff of student employees and community volunteers.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree is required, with course work in marketing or public relations preferred.
Experience: At least two years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, marketing, or promotions is required. Experience in theatre operations is preferred.
Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills, particularly in working with the public, are required. Strong oral and written communications skills are required. Must be able to work with Adobe PageMaker, Photoshop, Dream Weaver, and Illustrator on both Mac and PC platforms. Must be able to use web publishing software. Management, organizational and supervisory skills are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Other: The scope of the position frequently requires working evenings and/or weekends particularly during theatre production presentations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Promotes the program of scheduled performances for the Department of Theatre and Dance by planning and implementing a marketing campaign for theatre productions, determining the graphic design and visual representations associated with productions, preparing promotional materials for theatre productions in all media, supervising the mailing of theatre season brochures to season ticket holders and the general public with information regarding scheduled events, rates and reservation procedures, and managing the front of the house for productions (supervising ushers and solving problems to the satisfaction of patrons).2. Enhances the recruitment efforts of the department and communication with students and faculty by updating the departmental web pages, producing weekly electronic news releases to students, and coordinating the content posted to the web pages.
3. Obtains revenue to support Tent Theatre productions by designing, developing, and implementing the annual underwriting campaign and obtaining in-kind donations.
4. Serves as Business Manager for the three Tent Theatre productions by overseeing the allocation of scholarship funds for students participating in Tent productions, developing the production cost budget for the three Tent productions, collaborating with the artistic directors and technical director to develop the productions within budget, overseeing concessions, advertising for theatre company members, scheduling casting auditions, drawing up the performance contracts for company members, and training and supervising a staff of student employees and community volunteers.
5. Advises the Dean regarding financial matters related to the production of shows and the status of ticket sales for theatre productions.
6. Assists visiting artists and performing companies desiring to use the University's theatre facilities by providing them information regarding theatre operations policies and procedures, and front-of-house management.
7. Supports development of the schedule of theatre productions offered by the University by obtaining royalty quotes and perusal material for anticipated shows, and ordering, distributing and returning play scripts and related materials for productions selected for performance.
8. Supports academic instruction by guest lecturing for theatre courses on the subjects of box office management and promotions/marketing.
9. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the Dean.
10. Contributes to the overall success of the Department of Theatre and Dance by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Managing Director, Theater and Dance supervises student employees and volunteers.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED OCTOBER 2024