The Virgin Trial – Alberta Theatre Projects The Virgin Trial Alberta Theatre Projects

Directed by: Glynis Leyshon, Written by: Kate Hennig, Actors Pictured: Nigel Shawn Williams, Jamie Konchak, Emma Houghton, Conrad Belau & Sarah Orenstein, Set Design: Scott Reid., Lighting Design: David Fraser, Costume Design: Heather Moore, Photo: Benjamin Laird

Photo Credits

Job (Calgary): Artistic Director – Downstage

As we enter our fifteenth season, Downstage is seeking a visionary artist and community builder to lead the company into its next stage. Our new Artistic Director will report to the Board of Directors and work in close collaboration with our Managing Director, with work beginning in September, 2018. The ideal candidate for this position is an experienced theatre artist with a gift for collaboration and a genuine passion for social justice, access, and diversity.

THE DOWNSTAGE PERFORMANCE SOCIETY (Downstage) is a not-for-profit theatre company and registered charity based in Calgary, Alberta.

OUR MANDATE is to produce Canadian theatre that creates meaningful conversation around social issues.

OUR MISSION is to achieve a social impact through artistic excellence. We identify the conversations that are most vital to today and tomorrow. We are active accomplices to crucial organizations and individuals working on pressing social issues. We plant seeds for action beyond the theatre through theatrical works that diffuse polarization, lessen apathy and create understanding and connection.

VALUES

- We value the health and well-being of people first, including our employees, artists, board, volunteers and community partners.
- We have a strong focus on creating secure, inclusive and accessible spaces,



bringing in people who are new to our theatres and our artistic processes.
- We engage with the complexity of both the issues we tackle and the people impacted, and embolden the creative voices of all involved.

A TIME OF TRANSITION AND GROWTH

Downstage is a dynamic organization in a time of transition and growth.

- We are moving away from being a founder-driven organization, with the company’s previous leaders having served for 14 and 10 years.
- We have expanded our artistic practice to include works co-created with community members who don’t identify as professional artists, but who are connected to the issues we explore.
- We are working to deepen our social impact by creating a clear evaluation framework, documenting our approaches, and testing new ways to connect performances to small actions outside the theatre.
- We are looking to grow our human and financial resources to be able to respond more readily to opportunities, partnerships and emerging social issues.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Downstage’s next Artistic Director will have three essential qualifications:

1. A GIFT FOR COLLABORATION. Whether working with staff, volunteers, professional artists or community co‑creators, the ideal candidate will be empowering, compassionate, and transparent.



They will design creative processes that embolden the creative voices of all involved including thoughtful supports for collaborators who may face barriers to participation. They are a perceptive and curious listener. They will bring or be able to develop deep connections locally and form long-term community partnerships. They have experience with delegation, negotiation and resolving conflicts.

2. AN EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD OF DEVELOPING INVENTIVE NEW THEATRICAL WORKS. We are open to applications from artistic leaders from a variety of theatre disciplines, not only directors. The ideal candidate is a theatre artist with a deep knowledge of theatrical production processes, Canadian playwrights, and different approaches to new work development. They will have the ability to write and speak persuasively about their own artistic vision and to champion the work of Canadian creators.

3. A GENUINE PASSION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, ACCESS, DIVERSITY AND EQUITY. This passion will lead the ideal candidate to continuously seek out learning opportunities to help Downstage live its values more deeply, and to find innovative ways to increase access for artists and audiences. They will be committed to making a meaningful contribution as a Calgary resident.

Previous experience in a leadership role in an arts company, reporting to a Board of Directors, and managing budgets are all assets but not required.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Artistic Direction & Leadership

- Conceive and implement an artistic vision in alignment with the company’s strategic framework with a focus on season programming, selection of creative teams, and the development of new works
- Provide supervision and leadership to staff, artistic teams an

📌 Job (Calgary): Artistic Director – Downstage
🏢 Theatre Alberta
📍 Calgary