POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES THEATRE
TORONTO, CANADA
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
The Artistic Director provides artistic and executive leadership and is responsible, in cooperation with the General Manager, for the effective administration and management of the theatre in accordance with the directives of its Board of Directors and the company’s Strategic Plan. The Artistic Director provides oversight of organization-wide strategies including artistic and strategic planning, programming, financial stability, community engagement, facility management, and staff management.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is Toronto’s leading destination for artistically-rigorous, alternative theatre and is a world leader in the development of queer voices and stories for the stage. In an average season, it produces 4 mainstage performances, two festivals, and presents the work of local and national theatre companies. It runs a year-long Queer Youth Arts Program, an Artist Residency Program for the development of new work as well as numerous special events.
Buddies is the resident company of the Alexander Street Theatre Project, a City of Toronto-owned building and initiative. It has two performance venues: the Chamber, a flexible black-box theatre that seats 150, and the Cabaret, a bar and cabaret space that seats 120. In addition to the mainstage theatre season, the building is host to weekly performances and events that cater to Toronto’s vibrant queer communities.
THE COMPANY’S MISSION IS:
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre creates vital Canadian theatre by developing and presenting voices that question sexual and cultural norms. Built on the political and social principles of queer liberation, Buddies supports artists and works that reflect and advance these values. As the world’s longest-running and largest queer theatre, Buddies is uniquely positioned to develop, promote, and preserve stories and perspectives that are challenging and alternative. Buddies achieves artistic excellence through its mainstage season programming, artist-residency program, and youth-based initiatives. Buddies serves a broad segment of the population who share a passion for theatre that celebrates difference.
In addition to its Mission, Buddies has identified three core values that serve as guiding pillars for all its activities and operations:
DIFFERENCE: With our art, we simultaneously celebrate difference and question the mechanisms through which differences are constructed and maintained. With our space, we create an accessible, non-judgmental, and inclusive environment for everyone regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, economic position, race, creed, age, national origin, physical ability, or mental ability. With our daily interactions, we foster respect and dignity among all people.
EXCELLENCE: We provide our audiences with unforgettable theatre experiences, and we give our artists and staff the resources they need to achieve the highest standards of excellence.
COMMUNITY: We believe that the theatre plays a vital role in the educational, social, and economic health of a community. We strive to be a positive force by encouraging collaboration and constructive dialogue among the various groups and individuals who make up our community.
The Board of Directors seeks an industry professional with a strong artistic vision for the company and who will be an articulate champion of queer theatre and performance locally, nationally, and internationally. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic artist and leader who possesses a thorough grounding in theatre creation, performing arts programming, and a strong acumen for facility and personnel management. The ideal candidate will also recognize the important role that our building plays in the community and will have the requisite skills for ensuring that the company’s facilities are thriving.
The Artistic Director will have excellent analytical, financial, and organizational skills. Superb oral and written communications skills, political savvy and diplomacy, and the ability to deal humanely and wisely with a broad spectrum of personalities, are also necessary characteristics. We seek a track record in community participation and partnership, a strong commitment to diversity, and experience in managing staff.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, with a diverse and thriving theatre and cultural scene. It boasts world-class theatres, museums, art galleries, and film, theatre and dance festivals. It has a large, active and diverse Queer community that boasts a long history of Queer activism, and a diverse array of Queer organizations and services.
Salary commensurate with experience.
Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest, resume, and (max) one page description of your curatorial vision for the company by May 1st, 2015 in confidence to:
MARY BREEN
Board Secretary
BY EMAIL:
BY MAIL:
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
12 Alexander Street
Toronto, Ontario
M4Y 1B4