Production Manager

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Department: Production

Position: Full Time

Location: New York City, In Person at Ensemble Studio Theatre

Start Date: Mid-to-late June

Compensation: Salary range is $50-58k commensurate with experience and skill set

Benefits: Health insurance and other benefits begin after 30-days of employment

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST), an acclaimed, award-winning nonprofit developmental theatre in Hell’s Kitchen, seeks a creative and dynamic Production Manager to join our team.

EST develops and produces original, provocative and authentic new plays, discovering and nurturing new voices and supporting artists throughout their creative lives. EST is a dynamic community committed to a collaborative process and to inclusion across all aspects of identity. We acknowledge and work to end systemic marginalization and oppression at all levels of the organization. We believe that this extraordinary support and commitment to inclusivity are essential to yield extraordinary work. EST supports and is made up of a vibrant, 600-member artistic community (“membership”).

EST’s Equity and Justice Work

Since 2013, EST has engaged in a deepening process of transformation toward becoming an inclusive and anti-racist organization. As a historically predominantly White institution, in 2020 we commissioned an independent study by Rebecca KellyG to delve deeply into every aspect of our operations and identify white supremacist practices and assumptions. EST’s Transition Team then led the organization through a leadership transition, recently hiring two new co-Artistic Directors and preparing to embark on a permanent Managing Director search later this year. Our goal is to create a more holistic, inclusive, intentional and healthier work environment. This work includes ongoing anti-racism training, and creating affinity spaces for our members, non-leadership staff, and for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ members of the EST community. For more information on our transition, please visit ESTnyc.org/artequityjustice.

PRODUCTION MANAGER JOB PROFILE

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) is seeking a Production Manager who will be a key member of EST’s production team, managing the physical production and logistics of an off-Broadway organization’s productions and events, and overseeing the upkeep of the facilities and theatrical equipment as they relate to production activities. The Production Manager will oversee the planning and execution for two to three full-length plays per season and a variety of satellite programs and developmental work (including workshops, readings, and onsite events, both open to the public and internal). This programming serves as the support for a robust artistic membership and focuses exclusively on new work.

The Production Manager works in close concert with the Artistic staff and the Company Administrator, and is supervised by the Interim Managing Director and the co-Artistic Directors. The Production Manager has regular direct interaction with members of the 600 strong EST membership of ensemble artists, as well as guest artists, technicians, crew, and other members of the wider New York City artistic community.

The Production Manager’s Major Responsibilities Will Include

Production Execution

• Overseeing load-ins, load-outs, and strikes to ensure safety and adherence to both schedules and budgets
• Identifying technical, budgetary, and time-related issues relating to productions as well as overall function of EST and proposing solutions
• Ensuring clear and professional communication within and between creative teams, technical staff, and EST leadership throughout the production process
• Consulting on hiring of Stage Managers and Asst. Stage Managers
• Hiring all other technical staff and production support positions
• Providing direct support during the tech process, including preview performances
• Managing cartage and storage of set and props
  
  

Facilities Management

• General oversight of EST’s physical plant and facilities as it relates to production needs, including overseeing the annual facilities budget
• Having a working knowledge of theatre production technologies, and an ability to perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance of the light and sound systems in our space
• Coordinating and overseeing the annual equipment maintenance
  
  

Setting up and maintaining elevator schedule in conjunction with production needs

• Prepping rooms for rehearsal/readings/tech
  
  

Budgeting and Financial

• Consulting with Co-Artistic Directors, Managing Director, and other staff in the creation of production budgets
• Assisting designers and other lead artists with the execution and realization of designs while adhering to project budgets
• Managing and implementing financial budgets for productions, including tracking and reconciling all production expenses and working with Managing Director, Company Administrator, and bookkeeper to project and manage cash flow and vendor payments
• Soliciting and managing bids from shops/vendors for purchases/rentals
• Preparing and submitting payroll for technical production staff
  
  

Scheduling and Planning

• Maintaining Production and Institutional Calendars
• Coordinating and leading Production Meetings
• Establishing design and production timelines/schedules in conjunction with the producing team, and working with artists to adhere to calendar
• Scheduling and finding space for rehearsals and events both on- and off-site
  
  

The Ideal Candidate Will

Have a broad knowledge of technical theatre

Be a thorough, proactive, and creative problem-solver

Have an openness to and/or interest in new ways of working

Be interested in engaging with artists of all types to fully realize the vision of the production

Be excellent at prioritizing, managing their own workflow and that of labor crews and department heads, and have a network of colleagues in the field to hire and consult with about various production needs

Thrive in a small, rigorous, team-oriented environment

Possess the ability to work under pressure with a variety of personalities in rapidly changing circumstances, leading with patience, professionalism, and a sense of humor

Embody and represent the mission and core values of EST to our artists and technicians, which includes a dedication to anti-oppressive practices in the theatre and beyond and/or a willingness to learn and embody these practices

This job will require weekend and evening hours as necessitated by the production calendar.

We recognize that no one person will encompass all of the experience and qualities that we are seeking, and encourage and welcome applications from candidates with varied backgrounds and different applications of skills. Applicants from historically excluded communities are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability, age, or veteran status.

TO APPLY

The deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, June 12. Please email a cover letter and resume to jobs@ensemblestudiotheatre.org and type Production Manager in the subject line. In your cover letter, please describe your experience with production management and technical theatre, and specific reasons for wanting to work at EST. No phone calls please. For more information on Ensemble Studio Theatre, please visit www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org.

Salary: $50,000-$58,000