Artistic Director - Dallas Children's Theater

As a leader of Dallas Children’s Theater, the Artistic Director will lead through collaboration, model a strong work ethic, and exhibit passion, dedication, and knowledge of Theatre for Young Audiences’ multiple components. Artistic excellence is always the goal. The AD will ensure that DCT’s programs are known to all constituents locally and nationally. DCT was organized on a collaborative model with the senior staff working closely together under the guidance of the Executive Director. The AD will report directly to the Executive Director and will be responsible for ensuring that the organization fulfills its mission through its innovative artistic programming, development of new work, educational offerings, production, and staffing.

Role and Responsibilities

Artistic Development and Production Supervision

• Provide primary vision, leadership, and direction for the organization’s artistic, creative, and educational activities, championing new ideas and embracing new technologies.
• Oversee all season productions, which includes directing productions and welcoming new artistic voices.
• Select artistic teams for season productions and advise/consult with production staff to ensure readiness for each show’s opening and run.
• Promote DCT as a home for artists, technicians, and students within the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.
• Embrace other artistic development and production supervision duties, as needed.

Programming, New Play Development, and Education

• Develop annual programming of plays, educational programs and curriculum, and associated scheduled activities, in collaboration with the Associate Artistic Director, senior staff, and education staff in a manner that advances the creative direction of the DCT.
• Nurture strong relationships with playwrights, agents, professional colleagues, and community stakeholders to ensure vibrant and diverse season offerings.
• Attend professional regional and national conferences to network with artists, agents, and other presenters in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.
• Promote new play development and create collaborations and commissions that speak to youth.
• Reinforce DCT’s mission through innovative thinking in the development and programming of new works for its theaters.
• Build meaningful connections between programs, artists, and DCT’s educational and public experiences reflective of principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.
• Embrace other season programming, new play development, and education duties, as needed.

Community Engagement, Board Relations, and Finance

• Serve as a spokesperson to promote DCT’s artistic vision, brand, and reputation, locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with constituents including corporate and foundation sponsors, individual donors, business owners, schools and colleges, elected officials, and community leaders.
• Broaden the reach of the DCT by publicly highlighting its unique mission and public image as a regional asset.
• Facilitate and maintain a close relationship with the Board of Directors concerning the artistic direction of the theater and guide the assessment and modification of programmatic strategies.
• Oversee budgets for Productions and Education and provide timely financial reports to the Finance and Executive Committees and the Board of Trustees.
• Provide information and budgets to support grant applications and other fundraising activities.
• Embrace other community engagement, board relations, and finance duties, as needed.

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Maintain a climate of collaboration that attracts, retains, motivates, and excites a top-quality, diverse artistic, education, and production staff.
• Oversee, evaluate, and advise artistic, production, and education department staff.
• Guide, implement, and update DCT’s long-term strategic plan objectives in partnership with the Executive Director.
• Embrace other leadership and strategic planning duties, as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The Artistic Director will be a dynamic spokesperson with the ability to elevate the theater's impact within the field of Theatre for Young Audiences, engaging and inspiring children, families, and artists, and propelling the theater into a new era of artistic excellence. They must be an effective communicator with the ability to inspire teams with a clear sense of purpose with the ability to handle sensitive issues. The AD will be an effective project manager able to deliver high-quality performances, ensuring that productions resonate with the community, and uphold the theater’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. They will be a strong leader able to take the initiative in exploring fresh opportunities.

Other key competencies include the following:

• Diplomacy – Encourage diverse perspectives within the creative process and effectively handle difficult or sensitive issues with tact.
• Self-Starting – Create a sense of purpose and direction and demonstrate the initiative and willingness to work independently and proactively.
• Personal Accountability – Demonstrate integrity and take responsibility for decisions, ensuring alignment with the theater's mission and values.
• Planning and Organizing – Obtain results while establishing clear courses of action to ensure that work is completed effectively and efficiently.