Associate Artistic Director - Producing & Artistic Programming

WHO WE ARE

Arena Stage is the voice of American theater resident in our nation's capital. Focused on American artists, our productions are innovative and representative of stories from across the country. We nurture new plays and reimagine classics. We celebrate our democracy and diversity through a multitude of voices in our productions and community engagement programs to inspire people to action.

WHAT WE VALUE

A work culture that values experimentation and collaboration.

Excellence in all aspects of our endeavor.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion throughout the Organization and within our audience and the community.

Community Service through education and public engagement.

Lead effective partnerships and collaboration to serve artists and arts professionals.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Arena Stage seeks an Associate Artistic Director - Producing & Artistic Programming to shape the institution's most public expressions of its artistic identity. This role is for a dynamic artistic leader who understands theatre not only as production, but as gathering-who believes that how we welcome audiences, celebrate artists, and engage our community is itself an artistic act.

As lead producer for non-enhanced mainstage productions and for Arena's major institutional events-including the season launch, annual gala, and special artistic initiatives-you will help define how Arena shows up in the world. Working in close partnership with the Artistic Director and Co-Associate Artistic Director, you will co-lead the Artistic Department and play a central role in translating Arena's values into lived, shared experiences.

Opportunities to direct within the mainstage season are included when programming allows.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Institutional & Public-Facing Artistic Programming

• Lead producing and artistic direction for the theatre's season launch, annual gala, community day, and special artistic events.
• Shape programming that reflects the theatre's mission, values, and relationship with its audiences and community.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure events are well-produced, strategically positioned, and artistically compelling.

Producing & Directing

• Serve as lead producer for non-enhanced productions in the season, overseeing budgets, schedules, staffing, and execution.
• Including over seeing preproduction, rehearsals, tech, previews, and institution-wide post-production staff post-mortems.
• Direct mainstage productions when opportunities arise, in alignment with season programming and institutional needs.
• Partner with the Artistic Director and Producing Team to ensure cohesive artistic standards across all programming.

Season Planning & Curatorial Leadership

• Collaborate on season planning, budgeting, and long-range artistic strategy.
• Read and evaluate scripts and proposals; attend readings, workshops, and productions.
• Support the Artistic Director in identifying artists and projects aligned with the theatre's mission.

Marketing, Development & Community Engagement

• Work closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications on messaging, promotional materials, and campaign strategies for the season and assigned productions.
• Collaborate with the Development team on fundraising initiatives, donor events, and grant support tied to programming and institutional events.
• Partner with Community Engagement leadership to ensure programming is inclusive, accessible, and mission-aligned.

Departmental & Institutional Leadership

• Supervise the Artistic Administrator and support strong departmental operations.
• Co-manage the Artistic Department with the Co-Associate Artistic Director under the leadership of the Artistic Director.
• Build and maintain relationships with artists, staff, board members, and industry leaders.
• Participate in senior staff and board interactions as required.

Qualifications

• A seasoned producer (5+years at LORT/Off-Broadway scale) with deep knowledge of unionized theatre and complex producing models.
• A proactive collaborator with excellent organizational instincts, clear communication, and confidence managing complex projects and budgets.
• A theatre-maker whose leadership is informed by deep, first-hand experience as a generative artist and by a producing practice that understands programming as both artistic expression and civic responsibility.
• A passionate advocate for American artists, Arena's staff, and audiences, excited by Arena Stage's scale, history, and future.
• Available to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by production and institutional needs.
• A champion of new American work who believes access, inclusivity, and ambition are inseparable.

The Washington Drama Society, Inc., Arena Stage does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

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