Literary and Engagement Manager

Position:
Literary and Engagement Manager
Location:
Glencoe, IL/Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
Department:
Artistic
Reports to:
Director of Artistic Development
Classification:
Full-Time;
Exempt;
Annual
Salary: $50,000; benefit eligible

Writers Theatre (WT) is a nationally recognized, award-winning theater company located on Chicago’s North Shore, acclaimed for its intimate productions, bold new work, and exceptional artistry. With a commitment to telling powerful stories and serving as a cultural anchor in our community, we strive to create transformative experiences both on and off the stage. With an annual operating budget of $6.5 Million, the theatre, now in its 35th season, is a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Alexandra

C. and John

D. Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham, the company is charting a path forward for its future.

The Literary and Engagement Manager provides key administrative and creative support for Writers Theatre’s artistic and engagement initiatives. The position will serve as the lead producer of the theatre’s audience engagement programming that accompanies and compliments the mainstage season, building deeper relationships between audiences and the art and artists. They will also support the artistic department in the day-to-day departmental functions of its dramaturgy, new work and season planning activities.

• Conceptualize a season of audience engagement programming to compliment the mainstage subscription season, in partnership with Director of Artistic Development (DAD).
• Produce the line-up of audience engagement offerings that accompany the mainstage subscription season, including artist interviews (The Green Room series), audience discussions (The Final Word series), reading groups, and curated panels, lectures and special events.
• Manage the engagement budget, track expenses and facilitate payments to guest participants.
• Coordinate with other departments on the space, equipment and staffing needs of each event. Provide the information necessary for events to be listed and promoted on the website, social media and elsewhere.
• Foster and develop relationships with academic, cultural and community experts and partners for future engagement programming.
• Serve as a public face of WT to audiences and community members in attendance at engagement programs and other events.

• Oversee the in- and out-flow of scripts through the office.
• Oversee the maintenance of the script database and office library.
• Read and evaluate script submissions.
• Solicit prospective scripts for development and production.
• Schedule regular meetings for literary/artistic staff to discuss and exchange scripts. Lead the meeting on occasion.
• Represent WT by attending productions and readings, locally and sometimes nationally, to scout talent and to support artists with whom WT has relationships.
• Track developmental readings and productions at peer theaters, locally and nationally.
• Foster relationships and maintain correspondence with playwrights and their agents.
• Assist the Artistic Director and DAD with project selection for future mainstage seasons and supplemental programming.
• Assist the DAD with WT’s new work development program, including commissions, readings and workshops, and a planned new play festival.
• Administratively support the producing of developmental readings and workshops, including coordinating space, equipment, hiring, promotion and attendance needs.

• Provide dramaturgical…