Job Postings

Artistic Director

 Theatre Aquarius encourages applications from: women; Indigenous people, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; black people; members of racialized communities; persons with disabilities; and people of diverse gender identities or expressions.

Theatre Aquarius is committed to providing an accessible, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. Please contact us at SearchCommittee@theatreaquarius.org should you require accommodation or if you would like more information regarding our accessibility policies, plans, and programs.

The Opportunity

Theatre Aquarius is currently searching for a dynamic Artistic Director who can build on its established legacy and ensure that Theatre Aquarius continues to be a leading regional theatre.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated the capacity for developing outstanding theatre and artistic leadership, a passion for innovation and creativity, and knowledge of a vast network of theatre professionals gained through your engagement and collaboration with diverse theatres. The Artistic Director will bring a distinguished record of experience in developing programming and directing, a deep commitment to the artistic plan and vision and insight into the changing demographics of the region and balancing the interests of existing audiences as well as fostering new ones.

The Artistic Director will drive the artistic vision, direction and programming of the company which includes becoming an essential gathering place for theatre arts where relationships between diverse populations are built bringing the city we serve together as a true community of equals.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director and Executive Director are jointly responsible for achieving the artistic, audience and financial objectives of the Theatre.  In addition, they are also responsible for the strategic leadership of the organization.

The Organization and Community

Theatre Aquarius is a regional theatre and growing performing arts cultural hub located in the heart of downtown Hamilton. It has a 700 seat main stage, a Theatre Arts Education program with over 425 students, and a steadily growing outreach program, each reaching a wide variety of audiences and diverse communities. Celebrating its 48^th season, Theatre Aquarius serves the Hamilton, Niagara, Halton, Brant area attracting approximately 125,000 people from a 35+ kilometre radius attending more than 265 performances and events. Theatre Aquarius is an anchor arts institution in Hamilton and a leader in the arts sector.

For close to 50 years, we have focused our energy on providing our community with quality classic and contemporary productions, providing exceptional experiences through bold storytelling that have a profound impact on our audiences.

Hamilton is changing, growing, and emerging from its manufacturing core, embracing its culture and heritage and needing its creative voice to be strong and felt.  These changes beautifully position Theatre Aquarius to be a catalyst for embedding the performing arts more deeply in the community.  The ongoing influx of new artists puts Hamilton on the cusp of creating an exciting, culturally vibrant arts-oriented hotbed in Canada.

Artistic Leadership

• Lead in setting the artistic direction of Theatre Aquarius.
  • Conceive, develop and implement an artistic vision for Theatre Aquarius consistent with its mission and values, reflecting and responding to the evolving city of Hamilton and region.
  • Plan and prepare vital and viable programming, including an annual well-balanced and artistically imaginative season.
  • Develop and lead artistic policy with a view to the Theatre’s mandate and long-term strategic objectives. Attract and recruit the best directors and actors.
  • Recruit, secure, and/or approve all personnel directly concerned with the artistic elements of each production. This includes guest directors, visiting companies, creative teams, actors and other artists.
  • Provide overarching artistic leadership to all creative personnel involved in Theatre Aquarius’ productions.
  • Support emerging and established writers, ensure a high standard of dramaturgical input to new plays commissioned and produced by the Theatre.
  • Inspire and motivate artists, audiences, donors, sponsors, volunteers, board members, government funding agencies and media to help achieve Theatre Aquarius’ vision.
  • Engage the Board of Directors on all artistic matters, including securing approval for season programming.
  • Working with our many diverse communities, develop the widest possible audiences for the work of Theatre Aquarius.
  • Oversee Theatre Aquarius’ artist training and development initiatives that support the next generation of Canadian artists and creative personnel. Maintain a high level of awareness of global and national theatre trends.

Managements & Operations

• Alongside the Executive Director, develop and execute the Theatre Aquarius Strategic Plan and operational priorities in alignment with artistic needs and values.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director in the preparation of an overall season budget.
• Maintain oversight of production costs and ensure fiscal prudence.
• Balance artistic initiatives and risks with responsible fiscal management while respecting the Theatre’s mission.
• Together with the Executive Director, serve as spokesperson for the Theatre as required, including interacting with patrons and volunteers to build engagement, interest and loyalty.
• Support Theatre Aquarius’ communications, public relations and marketing efforts.

Organizational and Financial

In partnership with the Executive Director:

• Maintain oversight and ensure the fiscal prudence of Board-approved annual budgets.
• Create long-term artistic objectives which include high-level financial forecast.
• Prepare Theatre Aquarius’ annual season with respect to advancing strategic priorities as well as maintaining financial accountability.
• Attend and report at meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees and working groups; communicate appropriate information to the Board on all artistic matters relevant to the discharge of its responsibilities.
• Maintain an open and collegial working relationship with the Board of Directors and facilitate their engagement with the Theatre and its work.

Candidate Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of artistic leadership and strategic management at one or more performing arts organizations.
• A high degree of integrity, energy and creativity.
• A strong track record of leadership, excellent interpersonal skills, and an inclusive approach to working with diverse communities.
• A strong track record of collaboration, leadership and team building, with excellent interpersonal skills.
• A successful record of demonstrated excellence in programming and bringing to the stage significant theatre productions.
• Proven record of attracting and collaborating with artists, developing new projects, co-productions, creative partnerships and nurturing artists.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills; experience reporting to a Board.

Candidate Attributes

• Dedicated to ensuring Theatre Aquarius is representative of the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion and broadening access to the arts.
• The personal stature to inspire the organization, the Board and the stakeholders by representing the Theatre with integrity.
• A proactive and dynamic professional who inspires confidence and credibility and an honest, transparent and collaborative leadership style.

Compensation: A competitive compensation package will be provided with salary, bonus and applicable benefits. 

How To Apply:  Please submit your application by emailing your cover letter and resume no later than  October 31, 2020 to: SearchCommittee@theatreaquarius.org

Please include a cover letter addressing the following two questions:

1. What are the stories you want Theatre Aquarius to tell? Maximum 250 words.
2. Theatre Aquarius is engaged in becoming more inclusive of people from diverse communities (e.g. BIPOC, gender and cultural diversity, persons with disabilities). Tell us what this means to you. Maximum 250 words.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  All applications will remain confidential and will be carefully reviewed and assessed by the Search Committee.

The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities: click here to download your volunteer application form, which you can print, complete, and return to us by fax at 905.667.0107 or in person at Theatre Aquarius, Dofasco Centre for the Arts, 190 King William Street, Hamilton. Interested applicants can also contact Elissa Hodder – Patron Services Manager at 905.522.7815 x.233 or ehodder@theatreaquarius.org for more details.

Actors and Auditions

Once our season has been announced, please indicate in a covering letter what show or shows you would like to be considered for and email a photo and resume to:

Maria Boric
Artistic Administrator
mboric@theatreaquarius.org

Resumes are accepted year-round.

Theatre Aquarius is a PACT theatre primarily engaging Equity actors, therefore the majority of auditions and casting is done through talent agents. However, if we are having an open call, the information will be posted here. No phone calls please.

Directors

Please send a covering letter and resume to:

Ron Ulrich
Artistic Director
190 King William St.
Hamilton, ON L8R 1A8

*Resumes are accepted year-round.

Playwrights

Please send a covering letter and a copy of the script to:

Luke Brown
Director of New Play Development
Theatre Aquarius
190 King William St.
Hamilton, ON L8R 1A8
or e-mail lbrown@theatreaquarius.org

Note: Due to the volume of scripts received each season, we cannot respond to all. Only those playwrights whose scripts are under consideration will be contacted.

*Scripts are accepted year-round.

Designers

Both set and costume designers interested send a covering letter and resume to:

Luigi Borghesan
Production Manager
190 King William St.
Hamilton, ON L8R 1A8
or e-mail lborghesan@theatreaquarius.org

*Resumes are accepted year-round.

Artistic Affliliations: Our artists and technicians are professional. They are hired on individual contracts, or by the terms of collective agreements, or in adherence to association standards. Some belong to:

Professional Association of Canadian Theatre (PACT) Actors, dancers, singers, Stage Managers, Directors, choreographers

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) In-house production staff: scenic artists, electricians, carpenters, stagehands, flymen

Out-side production staff: carpenters, lighting technicians, stagehands, flymen

Associated Designers of Canada (ADC) Sets, Lighting, Costume Designers

Canadian Actors Equity Association (CAEA or Equity) Actors, Dancers, Singers, Stage Managers, Directors, Choreographers

Hamilton Musicians Guild (AF of M 238) Musicians, Rehearsal pianists, musical directors, musical contractors

Playwrights Union of Canada (PUC) Playwrights