Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, just 25 miles from Downtown Chicago.

Entering its 25th Anniversary Season, Metropolis has become one of Chicagoland’s leading venues for quality entertainment and professional theater, captivating over 70,000 patrons annually. Metropolis’ programming includes a thriving Main Stage subscription series, an extensive collection of concerts, comedy, and cabaret, and enriching educational productions and performances by its revered School of Performing Arts.

The School of Performing Arts educates over 2,500 students annually and offers group classes, individual voice and instrumental instruction, seasonal camps, and theatrical productions. MPAC’s Community Engagement initiatives bring the arts to seniors and individuals with special and different needs.

In 2005, the Village of Arlington Heights purchased the Metropolis Theater, the classrooms, and administrative offices. As a partner and leading voice in the community’s cultural landscape, MPAC remains committed to its mission of providing professional theater, quality entertainment, inspirational arts education programs, impactful community engagement initiatives, and arts accessibility to people of all ages. This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director works to accomplish MPAC’s artistic goals of producing quality theater and entertainment programming for the community, curating enriching arts education curriculums for students of all ages, providing engaging community outreach programs, and fulfilling organizational mission objectives as set forth by the Board of Directors.

Artistic Leadership Responsibilities:
Manage 4-5 Main Stage productions per year, Metropolis Presents concerts, and collaborate with the School of Performing Arts in programming.

• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and Executive Director to create a cohesive, diverse, and engaging season of shows and performances within budgetary parameters.
• Create, manage, and reconcile all production budgets and expenses.
• Assist in establishing the annual theater calendar.
• Interview, hire, and supervise teams of artistic staff, designers, directors, and technical teams and ensure a collaborative, safe, and vibrant workplace of inclusivity, communication, and excellence.
• As lead producer, ensure programmatic and production excellence, operational sustainability, and create new strategies for expanding audiences.
• Advocate for and commit to advancing organizational diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives and demonstrating MPAC values
• Complete other duties as assigned

Fundraising and Audience Development:
Successfully collaborate with donors, patrons, actors, artists, designers, community leaders, educators, students, and parents to strengthen relationships and build a lasting foundation for the theater and community.

• Serve as an organizational leader in the community and at performances by engaging with existing and potential donors, sponsors, village trustees, and other Metropolis stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Board of Directors, Development staff, and Executive Director to establish and implement strategies that cultivate new funding sources.
• Regularly attend shows, deliver curtain speeches, participate in all Metropolis events and fundraisers, and regularly engage with current and potential donors to advance organizational fundraising objectives.

Financial:
Create, manage, and report on all Main Stage and Metropolis Presents budgets.

• Work with the Finance Director to build sales of shows and report on the profitability of produced and presented shows
• Collaborate with Safety Manager and Production team to ensure a safe environment for staff, actors, students, and patrons

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Strong local relationships in Chicago’s theater community.
• 5+ years of experience in successfully planning, producing, and directing primarily musical theatrical productions with advanced working knowledge in all aspects of the production process including casting, scenic, and technical aspects.
• Demonstrated management in a theater or performing arts organization known for artistic excellence with strong ties in and around the arts community.
• Experience working in an arts education environment as a teacher and/or leader.
• Demonstrated ability to work with talent of all ages, backgrounds, and ability levels.
• Demonstrated ability to forge mutually beneficial relationships with artists, actors, directors, designers, crews, and other arts leaders in and around the community.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively and collegially with a broad and diverse team of staff, performers, and stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with a Board of Directors
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, support, train, and develop new and existing staff

To apply, please submit your resume/CV and cover letter.

Metropolis seeks a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an established organization in a thriving arts community that places a high value on quality, storytelling, training, and ideas that spawn intellectual engagement. Metropolis encourages local and regional candidates to apply as no relocation expenses will be provided. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

We Make it Easy

Founded in 1901, MRA is a nonprofit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers, covering more than one million employees.

As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by offering the most comprehensive assortment of HR services, information, education, and resources to help build successful workplaces and a powerful workforce.

We partner with these companies working directly with their HR department and leadership to hire their talent. We are a direct line to the company, not an agency recruiter.

Powered by JazzHR