Artistic Director

A community theatre located in Versailles, Kentucky, Woodford Theatre seeks to provide a theatrical experience that inspires and educates the Bluegrass. Woodford Theatre is a community theatre that regularly produces a mainstage season, multiple youth productions, and educational programming. Woodford Theatre’s Artistic Director (AD) is responsible for the overall artistic identity and vision for the organization, therefore oversees all staff and ultimately makes final decisions artistically and as an executive capacity with communication and confirmation from the Board of Directors.

As the most public face of the business, the AD serves as the organizational lighthouse providing overall vision, expectation, and cultural identity for the theatre to artists, patrons, sponsors and the community. He/she/they should be a charismatic force — one whose quality of work attracts actors and artists to participate in shows, sponsors and grantors to financially support the shows and patrons to see the shows.

The AD should be an experienced and proven stage director, or actor, or performing artist whose skills and creativity attract top talent. The artistic sensibility and attitude should also be compatible with our “community theatre” business, meaning they enjoy working with volunteers and have ability, willingness and patience to facilitate exercises / teach acting techniques to a variety of different ages and skill levels.

Weekly:
Monday-Friday, 35hr/week. While the theatre strives to maintain consistent schedules, theatrical productions will require shifts in normal working hours. Evening and weekend availability to attend rehearsals, supervise regularly and attend shows will be necessary.

Nights & Weekends (Woodford Theatre typically has 18 weeks of shows each calendar year. During a show week, Artistic Director can expect office hours of approximately 16-20 hours during the production week. Other hours are expected at tech rehearsals and performances.)

Board of Directors

Supervisors, Staff Members, Contractors, Volunteers, and Program Participants

Staff Members, Independent Contractors, Volunteers, and Program Participants

• Ability to act as the primary decision-maker, manage a full staff, and maintain open communication
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking
• A genuine love for the arts, with the patience and ability to connect with various ages and skill levels
• A proven artistic track record in directing, design, performing or other relevant art form
• Understanding of conceptual and thematic script analysis and the ability to engage in critical response in the form of questioning, suggesting, and offerings
• Deep knowledge of plays and musicians to program a balanced, logistically realistic season that fits the theatre's identity
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills, including emotional Intelligence, situational awareness, change management, transparent communication, conflict resolution skills, emotional labor management, active listening skills, knowledge of crisis management and deescalation strategies
• Proficiency with technology including: basic operation of a lighting console, sound board, Google Suite, Canva, and ticketing software
• Effectively able to prioritize and handle multiple projects and responsibilities.

• Ability to safely move around standard offices, multi-level theater spaces, dark backstage wings, and technical areas
• Endurance to work non-traditional hours, especially during production weeks
• Ability to stand for long periods and occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25–30 pounds.

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Bachelors or Masters degree preferred

• $45,000-$50,000
• Health Insurance
• PTO

The AD represents the theatre to our local government, appearing before both the City Council and Fiscal Court to request funding, renew lease agreements and/or provide information and updates. The AD is responsible for establishing and enhancing positive working relationships with entities that offer financial, strategic,…