Who We Are :
Based in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival is one of the world's foremost repertory theatre companies. It operates year-round, presenting a season of about a dozen plays each year between the months of April and November, a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of events designed to deepen understanding of the plays. For every person a theatregoer sees on our stages, we have seven people working behind the scenes, some of the world's most dedicated and experienced arts workers.
The Stratford Festival is committed to ongoing work to support equity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression in all areas of our work. These areas include play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, design, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.
Why You Should Apply :
- Creative work environment
- Paid operational shutdown in December, with flexibility of days being used at alternative times during the year
- Group Insurance Benefits
- Employer matched RRSP
- Employee Assistance Program to encourage work-life balance and strong mental health
- Complimentary & discounted ticket offers and events
- Employee discounts on merchandise and event space
- Being a part of the magic of live theatre!
The incoming Artistic Director (AD) will lead the company, be fully responsible for its artistic vision and creative work and be supported by the Executive Director's (ED) leadership of the administrative and strategic planning functions. Bringing artistic excellence and an audience-focused approach, the AD will create an exciting playbill that will sustain loyal audiences while attracting new patrons.
It is expected that the new AD will start working during the 4th quarter of 2025 as Artistic-Director Designee. There will be a considerable overlap with the current Artistic Director, Antoni Cimolino during 2026. Cimolino will program the 2026 season, while the new AD will be responsible for programming the 2027 season and beyond.
Responsibilities :
Artistic Vision & Programming
Set a clear, distinctive and dynamic artistic vision for the Festival which is bold and varied and serves audiences and stakeholders.Work with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to ensure this vision is supported across every aspect of the Festival's organization.Program all plays and other events at the Festival to serve and further the artistic vision.Program the playbill, balancing classical and contemporary work, plays for children, musical theatre, and new work - while reflecting a commitment to Shakespeare.Attract the best acting and creative talent from Canada and internationally to ensure that the Festival presents world-class productions that generate excitement.Direct one or more plays at the Festival each season.Provide appropriate advice and support, where needed, to ensure that artists are maximizing their potential.Ensure that the Festival stages productions that strive for and achieve excellence, while aiming to reach as wide an audience as possible.Organizational Leadership
Establish a relationship of trust and confidence with the Board of Governors.Work closely with the Chair of the Board and committees to ensure that they are fully informed on all relevant activities.Provide ambitious, confident and inspirational artistic leadership that motivates and engages staff and artists.Establish a strong, complementary and effective working relationship with the Executive Director.Strategy
Work with the Board and Senior Management to develop a new strategic plan for the Festival.Advance the Festival's long-term strategic direction and organizational goals, to support the mission and business model, and achieve financial sustainability.Seek revenue from artistic and other commercial opportunities.Further the Stratford Festival's unique brand identity to enhance its public profile across Canada and internationally and pursue opportunities for touring and transfers.Budgeting & Finance
Hold joint accountability with the ED for the Festival's financial health, while ensuring efficient and responsible management.Work with the ED to develop operational and production budgets that meet the Festival's financial targets.Fundraising & Advocacy
Work closely with the ED and the Senior Director of Advancement to provide leadership for the Festival's fundraising strategies.Cultivate relationships with key donors and sponsors to steward current relationships and generate new funding partnerships in Canada and the U.S.Be an ambassador for the Festival and a leading voice for the theatre industry, promoting the organization with a wide range of high-level stakeholders, media, government officials, and funding bodies both nationally and internationally.Develop partnerships and relationships to increase recognition for the Stratford Festival locally, nationally, and internationally.Talent Development & Education
Ensure the Festival's talent development and training programs result in a high level of professionalism and performance.Encourage, nurture and develop new creative talents.Support the Festival's efforts to encourage and educate students to foster interest in Shakespeare and live theatre and develop the audience of the future.Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility
Provide informed leadership and organizational guidance on all aspects of the Festival's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility approach, ensuring the organization is actively inclusive and anti-discriminatory.Work to ensure that casting and engagement of creatives is inclusive and rigorous.Ensure that the Festival's work is made for and reaches diverse and wide-ranging audiences.Expereince, Qualities & Skills :
Significant leadership experience in a theatre company or other theatre organization.A track record for a wide range of programming that attracts critical acclaim and large audiences.Broad knowledge of theatre repertoire, with a strong commitment to Shakespeare.Experience directing a wide range of theatre.The ability to attract the best directors, actors, and other theatre professionals from around the world.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and motivate the Festival's various stakeholders, including artists, staff, creative personnel, Board members, donors, and patrons.Understanding of the creative and financial challenges facing the theatre industry and experience in addressing them.Experience in pursuing artistic excellence balanced with responsible fiscal management.Ability to expand the reach of Stratford Festival productions globally via various methods, including licensing, touring, and other media.Willingness and commitment to live in and engage with the community of Stratford, Ontario. Travel and work as needed to broaden and deepen the Festival's international connections.HOW TO APPLY
Please apply by email with your cover letter and resume no later than February 28th, 2025. Send to : StratfordF[redacted]
Recruitment for this role is being led by Daniel Weinzweig and John McQuaker of Searchlight Partners. They can be reached at the email above.
Shared Values :
Inclusion : contribute to an environment where everyone is welcome, valued and respected; consistently demonstrate an open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity that promote and celebrate the diversity of perspectives.Innovation : put experience and knowledge into creative problem-solving and the continuous improvement of the organization.Rigor : show integrity in behaviour, attention to detail in work and commitment to excellence and professional evolutionCaring : be empathetic, understanding and attentive to othersConnection : establish and maintain trusting relationships that are respectful and constructiveWho Should Apply :
We welcome applicants of every identity, and encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Deaf, disabled and 2SLGBTQ+ folks. We are committed to accommodating people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and beyond. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternative format documents, ASL Interpreter or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our recruitment team know.
No candidate will meet every desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!
If you would like to contribute your own remarkable talents to North America's largest not-for-profit theatre, we'd like to hear from you.
