Associate Producer, Court Theatre

Department AI Court Artistic

About the Department

Court Theatre is the professional theatre of the University of Chicago and a Tony-award winning nationally recognized center for classic theatre. Located on Chicago's South Side, Court produces artistically ambitious work that combines rigorous inquiry, innovative interpretation, and deep engagement with scholars, students, artists, and the public. As Court looks to its 75th anniversary and expands its artistic reach through convenings, co-productions, touring, commissions, and strategic partnerships, the Associate Producer will play a critical role in building the systems that support this next phase of growth.

Job Summary

The Associate Producer is a full-time, benefits-eligible member of Court Theatre's Producing Department, reporting to the Director of Producing. The Associate Producer leads the day-to-day producing and coordination of assigned productions, artistic initiatives, residencies, convenings, and special projects, ensuring their successful execution from planning through completion.

Working closely with the Director of Producing, Director of Production, Managing Director, Director of Engagement, and colleagues across Court, the Associate Producer coordinates all activities related to artists, contracts, schedules, budgets, and institutional logistics while helping deliver Court Theatre's artistic work with operational excellence, exceptional artist care, and strong fiscal stewardship. As Court Theatre expands its producing activities through co-productions, touring, artist residencies, and strategic partnerships, this position offers opportunities for increasing responsibility and leadership within the Producing Department.

Responsibilities

• Leads the day-to-day production and coordination of assigned convenings, productions, workshops, readings, residencies, and special artistic initiatives.
• Supports the Director of Producing with season planning, producing initiatives, and institutional reporting.
• Facilitates production planning meetings and tracks project deliverables from planning through completion.
• Develops and maintains project plans and documentation, production calendars and archives, project timelines and milestones, meeting agendas, follow-up materials, action lists, and post-project evaluations.
• Manages and tracks artist onboarding, contracts, and orientation; prepares, routes, and tracks artist contracts and related documentation.
• Coordinates travel, housing, and logistics for seasonal and visiting artists, as well as the Artistic Director.
• Serves as the primary liaison for guest artists throughout their engagement with Court Theatre.
• Coordinates artist communications in support of an equitable, inclusive, and artist-centered working environment.
• Collaborates with Finance and Human Resources on onboarding paperwork and payroll documentation.
• Assists with budget planning, monitors production budgets, reconciles expenses, processes invoices, and prepares budget reports for the Director of Producing.
• Maintains accurate production databases, calendars, contact lists, and organizational files to ensure compliance with University policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Represents Court Theatre professionally with artists, vendors, University colleagues, and community partners.
• Supervises interns, temporary staff, or project assistants, as assigned.
• Facilitates communication among Court Theatre, University partners, artists, and external collaborators.
• Coordinates events, researches logistics, assists with planning and preparing presentations, event outreach, and post-event write ups.
• Assists with other administrative projects as needed and acquires higher level guidance and skills.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in producing, theatre management, or arts administration.
• Coordinating complex artistic projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Background in a LORT, university-affiliated, or mission-driven theatre.
• Understanding of theatrical contracts, artist services, and production administration.
• Excellent project management, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of the Chicago theatre community.

Preferred Competencies

• Support multiple concurrent productions and institutional initiatives while maintaining exceptional organizational standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Relationship-building across artists, staff, and institutional partners.
• Financial accuracy and attention to detail.
• Judgment, discretion, and calm under pressure.
• Commitment to collaborative, artist-centered producing.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• Professional References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$55,000.00 - $60,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in theBenefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call View phone number on aiapply.co or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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