Director of Production
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Why join the American Repertory Theater?
A.R.T. is a leading force in American Theater, producing groundbreaking work that is driven by risk-taking and passionate inquiry in Cambridge and beyond. Since 2008, Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus has pursued A.R.T.’s mission to "expand the boundaries of theater" by programming transformative theatrical experiences, always including the audience as a central partner. A.R.T. is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader of artistic innovation. In recent years, productions that began at A.R.T. have won 19 Tony Awards, and numerous works developed by A.R.T. have been performed throughout the country and around the world.
The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) is part of Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) and is located on the campus of Harvard University, A.R.T. is committed to playing a central role in the cognitive life of the University, catalyzing discourse, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative exchange among a wide range of academic departments, institutions, students, and faculty members. For more information, please visit our website at: https://americanrepertorytheater.org/
Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Artistic Director, this position will provide long-term and seasonal strategic oversight and direction to the Production department, ensuring that productions are executed in alignment with the A.R.T.’s mission to expand the boundaries of theater. The Director of Production will oversee the production, build and running of all aspects of the A.R.T.’s annual programming with adherence to established parameters, schedules and budgets. As a key senior member of the A.R.T. team, the Director of Production will provide leadership in the areas of season planning, budget planning and production staff management.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
Team Management and Communication:
- Serve as the leading strategist and collaborator between senior leadership, production staff and design teams, ensuring communication proliferates throughout the department and that needs are being represented and responded to (at all levels).
- Lead A.R.T.’s Production Department, including direct supervision of seven department heads, and production management along with union and non-union personnel at multiple locations.
- Sets standards, policies, and expectations for Production Department success.
- Manage and assess team performance and training needs with the goal of establishing high-performing and highly engaged team members.
- Relate production and Production Department mission critical concerns and corresponding possible solutions to the Artistic Director and Managing Director on an ongoing basis.
- Promote an inclusive, respectful work environment for staff, overhire employees, and guest artists.
Budget Management:
- Set and monitor the annual Production Department budget, historically ranging from $XX - $YY, for all production departments, including appropriate forecasting, maximizing efficiencies and controlling costs
- In concert with the Managing Director, Artistic Producer, and General Management, develop and manage individual production budgets, expenses and timelines.
Project and Production Management:
- Advocate and strive for a safe environment for all production staff, including being up to date on best theater practices for health and safety.
- In concert with the Artistic Producer, manage the A.R.T. pre-production and production processes, including working with creative teams to meet the budget and other resource limitations for each specific production. Ensures A.R.T.’s productions are delivered safely, on-time, within budget and other parameters, and with artistic excellence.
- Oversee the safe and efficient delivery of all scenic, costume, and properties - including automation and special effects.
- Oversee the creative, technical, safety and logistical aspects of all production running elements, including stage management, stage operations, lighting, sound, video wardrobe teams.
- In collaboration with Artistic and Producing teams, develop the season schedules and staffing plans.
- Oversee all production and production department project planning logistics through schedules and staffing plans.
- Ability to make key decisions when consensus cannot be reached.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including A.R.T. senior leadership, staff, external directors, designers and stage managers.
Special Projects:
As the A.R.T. embarks on a capital campaign to build a new facility in Allston, as well as a renovation of its offsite shops, this role will serve a key contributor to moving into the Goel Center and establishing the practices for the production department in it. This role will be expected to recommend, assess, and prioritize technical needs related to setting up the new space.
Working Conditions:
The Loeb Drama Center is a multi-story building without an elevator, with work taking place on all levels, and work will cease in this space as of February 2027. The Goel Center is a modern multi-story building with modern accessibility features. This position requires night and weekend work, particularly during tech and previews. It also requires occasional local and out-of-state travel, primarily for rehearsals in NYC, and to facilitate the transfer of shows to and from A.R.T. Software Used: Microsoft Office, Slack, SharePoint, Zoom, Google Workspace, Dropbox, drawing and visualization software, PeopleSoft (payroll and human resources software)
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
- Prior experience managing staff sizes of twenty or more people.
- At least five years of progressively increasing management responsibility in a theatrical production setting.
- A thorough understanding of live theater production processes.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and emerging AI tools, including creating complex spreadsheets and using online collaboration platforms.
- General knowledge of all theater crafts - scenic construction, rigging, automation, scenic painting, costume construction, wardrobe, wigs, lighting, sound, and props.
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Master’s Degree preferred
- Experience with capital projects preferred, but not required.
- The capacity to develop and maintain strong professional relationships across the organization and work collaboratively with colleagues.
- Strong written and verbal communication and influencing skills, with the ability to clearly convey information to diverse audiences.
- The ability to maintain multiple projects, adjusting priorities and plan quickly as needs arise.
- Standard Hours/Schedule: This position includes requirement to be able to work night and weekend work, particularly during tech and previews. It also requires occasional local and out-of-state travel.
- Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screenings (Identity)
- Other Information: This position will have a 6-month orientation and review period. #LI-MT1
Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 060. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
