Artistic Director - Stages

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – STAGES – TORONTO 

SALARY - $85,000 - $95,000 CAD 

 ABOUT THE SECOND CITY 

Dedicated to entertaining, inspiring, and transforming through courageous comedy, The Second City is the premier brand in improv-based sketch comedy. With sold-out shows playing on stages in Chicago, Toronto, and New York, Second City’s Touring and Theatrical companies entertain an additional one million theatergoers a year around the globe. The Second City Training Center is the largest school of improvisation-based arts on the planet, with locations in Chicago, Toronto, and New York. Second City Works, the B2B side of Second City, has brought award-winning improvisation and audience-driven techniques to over 600 Fortune 1000 companies, challenging businesses seeking a more collaborative culture to innovate through development programs, original digital and video content, campaign consultation, private events, and more.   

POSITION SUMMARY 

Provide artistic leadership and oversight for the Second City Toronto in the interest of maintaining creative excellence of our performers, directors, and productions. 

Schedule: This is a full-time exempt position.  The Second City understands that viewing evening shows is a requirement of this role and so acknowledges that a later start-time to in-office work hours may be required. The ideal candidate for this position is available to work a flexible schedule if needed and will also have some degree of flexibility to set their own schedule. 

Work Environment: The Artistic Director operates in an engaging and creative professional office environment and requires a minimum of 3 in-office workdays a week. 

Travel: Travel may be required for this position. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

·        Act as creative oversight for all live productions in the SC Toronto location in alignment with the company’s creative mission. 

·        Consult with Casting and Production to assign creative personnel (directors, performers, Music Directors, understudies, Set/Lighting Designers) 

·        Watch and give notes to directors while in process and during theatrical runs including Mainstage, TourCo, and any off-night productions. 

·        Communicate Toronto specific messaging to Second City Toronto talent as requested/needed. 

·        Facilitate new show/concept development in alignment with Head of Creative. 

·        Audit General Auditions and all General Audition callbacks. 

·        Audit all Fellowship Auditions and all Fellowship Audition callbacks. 

·        Scout community talent/productions for future development. 

·        Identify, cultivate, and develop upcoming talent, including performers, directors, music directors, and writers in alignment with the company’s creative mission. 

·        Facilitate best practices workshops with current directors. 

·        Attend Grad Revue shows in the Training Center Conservatory. 

·        Represent The Second City Toronto as needed at speaking engagements and public appearances.

·        Actively cultivate community relationships with businesses and fellow entertainment organizations.

·        Marketing consultation and support. 

·        Work with VP of Training Center to execute the Toronto Directing Program, accelerated training fellowships for marginalized communities, and update curriculum/processes as needed.

CADENCE OF CREATIVE OVERSIGHT 

·        Resident Stage Show – weekly during process, bi-weekly during the run 

·        TourCo – bi-weekly 

·        Understudies - Once early in their assignment. 

·        Rentals and co-productions – Once for a limited run, monthly for an open run 

·        Conservatory grad revue show – Once per term 

CADENCE OF COMMUNICATION 

·        Keep regular communication (2 regularly scheduled meetings weekly) with Head of Creative regarding ongoing assignments/projects etc. 

·        Attend weekly Creative check-ins and production meetings for all Toronto resident shows in process. 

·        Attend weekly Creative Team meetings. 

·        Facilitate twice-yearly creative summits with Toronto talent 

·        Facilitate twice-yearly talent check-ins 

·        Keep regular communication with all active Toronto Directing Talent and support/meet as needed. 

·        Keep regular communication with VP of Production on all running shows as well as projects in pre-production.  

·        Adjust for any additional communication, development meetings, etc. as SC Toronto evolves. 

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES, ASSIGNED AS NEEDED 

·        Direct resident stages, improv, variety, and TourCo shows for the Second City Toronto as needed. 

·        Travel as needed to Second City off-site projects to give artistic feedback and notes on shows. 

JOB QUALIFICATIONS 

·        Background in theater, TV, Film or related industries 

·        Expert knowledge in the Second City Process 

·        Expert knowledge in a variety of improvisational methods and philosophies. 

·        Expert knowledge in sketch comedy (live and recorded mediums). 

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

The Second City is an open, inclusive workplace and welcomes applicants who bring along with them diverse life experiences, including every permutation of economic and cultural backgrounds, orientation, ethnicity and points of view. We strive to continue our efforts to work with people who may otherwise be marginalized or underrepresented in our business and around our community. 

All candidates for this role will be asked to authorize a background check and must be 21 and older.
 
The Second City follows CDC guidelines and recommendations regarding safety measures to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic. To work at The Second City, you must show proof of being fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Applicants with medical or religious exemptions will be considered.