Daily Archives: July 3, 2012

Job Posting: General Manager/Producer, Theatre Gargantua

General Manager / Producer
Theatre Gargantua, Toronto, ON

Theatre Gargantua invites applications for the position of General Manager/Producer. We are looking for an energetic, forward-looking person with an impresario spirit to help lead the company in all business matters

Organization
Artistic Director Jacquie PA Thomas founded Theatre Gargantua in 1992. At the heart of our mandate and all our artistic activity is the desire to create compelling, multidisciplinary theatrical works on important themes and to enrich the artistic development of theatre practitioners. Theatre Gargantua is committed to creating only original contemporary Canadian work using a collaborative ensemble of both established and emerging artists, enriched by invited guest artists. Each of Gargantua’s productions, while being diverse in terms of subject, writing and acting styles, melds the physically daring with the strikingly beautiful, underpinned by original vocal work and the innovative use of emerging technologies.

To date, 9 cycles have been completed, and the company has garnered 28 Dora nominations. Important milestones have included; an extensive tour of the U.K including residencies at the Royal Exchange in Manchester and the famed Riverside Studios in London; headlining the Portland International Performance Festival in Oregon; the presentation three of our Cycles in Montreal and the inclusion of our work in the Mirvish subscription series. Theatre Gargantua has also produced a film adaptation of Raging Dreams which was purchased by WTN. Our 9th cycle IMPRINTS saw its world premiere at the Factory Studio in November 2011. 2012 marks the 20th season of Theatre Gargantua. Theatre Gargantua is an artist-driven company. This position will require a close and effective working relationship with Artistic Director Jacquie PA. Thomas and Associate Artistic Director Michael Spence whose artistic vision shape all aspects of the company’s directives.

The ideal candidate will:

  • Have a passion and belief in the current work of Theatre Gargantua and in producing new Canadian work.
  • Have the desire and ability to partner with the Theatre’s Artistic Directors and to support and communicate the organization’s mission and goals
  • Have experience in a leadership position involving fundraising, Board relations, and marketing. Prior experience in a performing arts organization is desirable, and passion for theatre is a must;
  • Have strong budgeting and financial management skills, including the ability to create long term budgets and goals;
  • Demonstrate a capacity to lead, manage, motivate, inspire, train and collaborate with the Co-Artistic Directors, artists, Board and volunteers;
  • Have the ability to successfully develop and implement annual as well as long-term strategic plans;
  • Be able to speak and write persuasively and serve as a spokesperson for the company
  • Understand effective fundraising campaigns and identify new sources and increased levels of contributed income;
  • Have experience and knowledge of marketing, advertising and community and government relations activities
  • Possess natural leadership skills; a pro-active and dynamic professional who inspires confidence and credibility
  • Possess outstanding interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to inspire colleagues and stakeholders
  • Exhibit stamina and a strong work ethic, as well as flexibility to deal with unpredictable pressures and a constant flow of work activity
  • Have a result oriented personality with an ability to work well independently or in a team and to balance multiple priorities
  • Be a pragmatic problem-solver; disciplined, takes initiative and accepts ownership with a hands-on approach
  • Extremely organized and detail oriented

The General Manager/Producer is responsible for the financial, administrative, promotional and audience development of the Company. The General Manager/Producer ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the Company.

Responsibilities include:

Administration

  • Works with the Artistic Director on matters such as budgets, publicity/promotion, hiring, etc., before presenting to the Board for approval;
  • administering the execution of the annual operational plan of the Company as approved by the Board;
  • development and administration of effective office and general administrative procedures and ensuring the necessary resources are available to carry them out;
  • undertaking contract negotiations with individuals, collectives and unions as required by operations and production to adhere to established budgets and strategic directions;
  • responsibility for the day to day activities of the office, and administrative and accounting procedure;
  • assisting with the development of effective personnel policies and procedures and evaluating performance of staff with Artistic Director

Financial

  • preparation of the annual operating budget for the Company with the Artistic Director
  • Prepares monthly cash flow projections
  • monitoring and controlling revenues and expenditures to ensure that budgetary guidelines are maintained;
  • identification of potential problems, concerns and shortfalls and recommending solutions to the Board of Directors;
  • ensuring the Bookkeeper and Accountant appointed by the Board of Directors receive all financial documents and month end reconciliations toward the production of formal financial statements to be approved by the Board of Directors;
  • preparation of interim and year end government financial reports for federal, provincial and municipal funders, employment grants, gaming funds, HST,  corporate and foundation funders etc.
  • undertaking or supervising all banking requirements – reconciliations, deposits, signing authorities, etc.
  • responsibility for the review, reconciliation and timely payment of all payables, government remittances;
  • ensuring all receivables are received, reconciled and all funds deposited;
  • administration of payroll, including employee records, T4s and T4As, records of employment, weekly pay-cheques, remittances to Revenue Canada
  • overseeing the Company’s adherence to all regulations with regard to its charitable status, issues or delegates the issuance of tax receipts

Government Liaison & Community

  • preparation of government grant applications including budget, package and needs justification;
  • identification of potential sources of government funding;
  • developing contacts with government agencies to ensure good relations are maintained;
  • preparation of all interim and final reports;
  • acting as a representative of the Company in the community;
  • acting as a representative of the Company with PACT and provincial and municipal service organizations and other outside groups

Fundraising & Volunteers

  • working with Fundraising Committee to develop fundraising strategies and programs;
  • establishing and supporting the appropriate administrative systems to support the strategies and programs;
  • ensuring that fundraising programs are coordinated with marketing components;
  • ensuring that volunteers, donors and other stakeholders are acknowledged and kept informed;
  • ensuring that a Company representative is present at all fundraising events, particularly charitable gaming such as bingo, casinos etc;

Audiences, Marketing & Publicity:

  • ensuring the maintenance of box office records, audience lists and data review; reporting on box office statistics to the Board of Directors;
  • working with the board and Artistic Director to develop an overall strategic plan for marketing of the Company and its activities;
  • contracting of publicity and communications personnel;
  • ensuring the timely release and dissemination of regular newsletters, production marketing materials and media releases

Interested candidates are invited to submit their résumé and cover letter via email to jacquie@theatregargantua.ca

Internships: Rhubarb Festival Intern, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

2013 RHUBARB FESTIVAL INTERN – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
DUE: 5PM, FRIDAY AUGUST 3RD, 2013

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is now accepting applications for three volunteer intern positions for
the 34th Annual Rhubarb Festival. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in
event production, and to gain insight into the creative processes of artists working in theatre, dance,
performance art, music and hybrid performance forms, while receiving invaluable mentorship in the
areas of curation, producing and arts administration. Reporting to the Festival Director, interns
contribute to the general administration and community development initiatives of the festival. All
three positions actively participate in the festival planning, execution and final assessment
processes.

POSITIONS
ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN
(August-March, approximately 8hrs per week, with increased hours in February)

  • assist with application process and day-to-day administrative duties (mailings, filing, email correspondence) under direction of the Festival Director.
  • oversee submission database and festival artist contact list.
  • assist in creation of the festival programming document.
  • liaise with artists, speakers, and workshop participants as required.
  • assist with compiling data for final reporting.
  • attend rehearsals and meetings as required.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS/ OUTREACH INTERN
(August-March, approximately 8hrs per week, with increased hours in February)

  • assist Festival Director with planning and correspondence related to community partnerships (i.e. co-presentations, collaborations with other arts organizations, etc.)
  • assist with planning and execution of artist and volunteer meetings/special events.
  • assist in creation of the festival programming document.
  • liaise with artists, speakers, and workshop participants as required.
  • assist with compiling data for final reporting.
  • attend rehearsals and meetings as required.

SOCIAL MEDIA/ FESTIVAL DOCUMENTATION INTERN
(August-March, approximately 8hrs per week, with increased hours in February)

  • develop and execute plan for the Buddies in Bad Times/ Rhubarb blog, Facebook page and Twitter feed in consultation with the Festival Director and Communications Manager.
  • coordinate and edit content of Rhubarb Festival blog.
  • document and archive festival activities including, but not limited to: artist meetings, community dinners, talks, and performances.
  • liaise with artists, speakers, and workshop participants as required.
  • assist with compiling data for final reporting.
  • attend rehearsals and meetings as required.

In addition to mentorship, interns receive a full-access artist pass to Rhubarb 2012.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Interest in theatre creation and producing, artistic development, and festival curation.
  • Familiarity with the activities and past programming of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and The Rhubarb Festival.
  • Demonstrated interest in contemporary performance.
  • Knowledgeable of performance history and the local performance community.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Detail oriented, organized, flexible and able to work well under pressure.
  • Able to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Able to meet deadlines.
  • Proficient with MS Word, MS Excel and a variety of social media platforms.
  • Previous experience with office administration, theatre production and/or performance creation is preferred.
  • Experience with video editing, web design and/or graphic design programmes are assets.

THE 34TH RHUBARB FESTIVAL
RAW. RADICAL. PERFORMANCE.
February 20 – March 3, 2013
Festival Director Laura Nanni

Established in 1979, the Rhubarb Festival is produced by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and is
Canada’s longest-running festival of new performance offering Toronto fresh, live encounters with
contemporary theatre, performance art, dance and music. For over three decades, Rhubarb has
encouraged established artists to take new risks and emerging artists to explore the possibilities of
performance in a supportive space. Every year, hundreds of local and international artists descend
on Buddies to share new ideas in performance creation with adventure-loving audiences.

ABOUT BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES THEATRE
Established in 1979, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a professional Canadian theatre company
dedicated to the development and presentation of queer theatre. Over the past 30-something years, it
has evolved from a small production company into the largest facility-based queer theatre company in
the world. The theatre sits in the heart of downtown, adjacent to Toronto’s Gay Village, and its
primary constituencies are the city’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities, and an
urban alternative theatre-loving audience, both LGBT and straight. In addition to being a theatre,
Buddies is a popular gay nightclub with weekly late-night events occurring year-round.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit your resume and letter of interest and 3 references by 5pm, Friday August 3rd, 2012 to
laura@buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Please note in the subject line the internship position you wish to be considered for and mention in
your cover letter where you saw this posting.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is committed to employment equity. We encourage applications from
queer, First Nations, transgendered, two-spirited, people of colour, and people with disabilities.
We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be
contacted. All applications are considered confidential

Auditions: New Members, The Velvet Curtain Ensemble & Company

The Velvet Curtain Ensemble & Company is holding auditions for new members.

After our first successful season we are preparing to lauch our second brilliant season.

Individuals who would like to audition for this Ensemble should contact: director.ensemble@gmail.com

Rehearsals are Monday evenings from 6:30 until 9 (or 9:30)

There are occasional weekend Blitz rehearsals where the company Ensemble meets on a Saturday for additional rehearsals.

Some social functions occur within the company.

A few additional notes to consider:

  • Repertoire includes a broad range from Classical to Contemporary.
  • All voice types, SATB, are welcome to audition.  Knowledge of note reading, good memorization skills, sense of self-discipline and independent musical study is required.
  • Members who qualify for this ensemble are congenial, share in a common goal of accomplishing first-class singing.
  • No political agenda.  Music is the reason we work as a TEAM.
  • Singers who comprise our Ensemble are devoted and dedicated.  Attendance for rehearsals and performances is necessary.
  • There is a company dress code for concerts.  No exceptions.
  • The Audition and Interview is an opportunity for potential new members to demonstrate their best vocal qualities through various exercises.
  • Blending and working as a TEAM on ALL levels is a must.