Send all your positive thoughts toward Williamston, will ya? While you’re at it, send all your friends to buy tickets! š
I’m really excited for the previews for this show. I’ve never directed a one-man show before, we’ve had a great time doing it, and I can’t wait to see how audiences react. I’ve been so happy with the work my actor is doing; creating 37 real people with real wants and lives is not an easy task, especially when some of those people we only meet for 3 or 4 lines! And on top of it all, he’s funny!
So – we’ll learn a lot over the weekend, as we always do with previews, and we’ll have fun doing it.
I love my job!
Tony Caselli 
Congrats, Ton!
Wish I could see it. Who’s your one-man?
If you don’t mind, I have a couple of questions about being an artistic director. I’m considering applying for a few positions. I don’t think I’m quite qualified for it, but I don’t really know what is expected of an artistic director, other than overseeing the art.
What kinds of things are people generally looking for in an AD?
I could really use your insight.
One of the theatres that I’m thinking of applying to is a small, funky theatre that primarily does new works. The other is a multi-million dollar theatre in Dallas. I’m pretty sure I’m underqualified, but I figured what the hell, right? Or is that kind of like me showing up to audition for a role as an 80 year old black man and thinking I actually have a shot at the part?
I’m not sure what administrative ettiquette is.
Oooh, great topic! Hmm…
Well, whatever I have to say will come from just my experience, so take it all with a grain of that particular salt. Also, I imagine that with your Mosaic background of new work, you probably have a better shot at the smaller funky theatre, but you never know: the multi-million dollar place in Dallas may just be looking for a younger, hipper person to take them in a new direction! i absolutely say apply for both. I think you’d be great!
Overseeing the art, of course, is a big part of it: selecting the season (often with input from staff/board members, depending on the setup of the organization.) Then, of course, you’re responsible for hiring the teams to create each piece: Directors, designers, stage managers, crew, technical directors. You’re expected to direct a portion of the plays, and help guide the other productions while providing them, as producer, every opportunity to do their best work. Then you’ve got the exciting part of developing new work, scouting plays and playwrights and doing workshops to help new plays grow into something that you want to produce on your mainstage, which I love doing!
Again, depending on the size of the organization, you may have people working under you to do some of these things, but you’re also responsible for the production calendars, etc…what rehearses when and where, etc.
Of course, you’re also in charge of your part of the budget. You have to work closely with the Managing Director (or their equivalent) most of the time, since THEY are in charge of the rest of the budget (admin, box office, building). This is often your biggest partnership, since the two of you will be answering to the board, and collaborating on “How do we make the season work financially as well as artistically?”. Everyone in the company relies on the two of you to keep their job stable. (or as stable as anything in this business is.)
OKAY – I HAVE TO CUT MY ANSWER IN HALF, BECAUSE LIVEJOURNAL WON’T LET ME POST A REPLY THIS LONG! SEE THE NEXT COMMENT FOR PART TWO! š
Thanks for your wonderful insight. I marked the post you made in my memories.
I feel like I have a much better grasp of what an Artistic Director does now.
OKEY DOKEY – PART TWO! š
You’re responsible for the Artistic Face of the company, and therefore it’s not just the shows, but it’s working closely with the marketing/development/pr folks. If your image of the season is a “warm family-comedy filled year with lots of heart” but the marketing folks go with “edgy look at the modern household”, it’s not a clean message or face of the company. The marketing stuff can be anything from proofing a poster to publishing a rehearsal blog to being available for interviews.
You must be ready to provide information for your team as they write grant materials, and provide all assistance needed to the Development Department, since they are the people, (assuming you’re working in a professional not-for-profit), who will be trying to raise the approximately 50% of the yearly budget that you and the Managing Director will NOT be making through your end. (Your end being what you’d expect: box office, concessions/merchandise sales, classes offered, rentals of space or equipment, special touring educational shows, etc…)
So – there you go. You also, of course, will be in charge of overseeing any classes/educational aspect of the organization, running any apprentice/intern program, and any special things that are related to the Art of the company. (For instance, in our West Lobby we have The Williamston Theatre Gallery, which I started in Fall 2006- it’s an art Gallery of Local artist’s work that rotates with each WT production so that the art on display is always thematically related to the play onstage. It’s great, and we’ve gotten huge response, but it’s one more thing that I, as Artistic Director, oversee: load in/out of new work, sales of work, etc…
Now I, like most Artistic Directors have a couple of people (some paid, some volunteer) that help me with some of these things, but ultimately I’m responsible for overseeing all of it.
Then, in addition to all of the practical stuff, you’re expected to lead teams of creative people. To inspire others. To invent projects and programs. To nurture talent in all of your teams, and help them to grow to their potential. You’re expected to participate in your local arts scene, and find ways for your company to give back to your community in public service ways. You need to be the one who steps up and says, when needed, “This is our goal. This is our mission statement. We will forge ahead, because what we do matters!” and then you find ways to make it happen, and prove it.
There, in an off-the-top-of-my-head, is Artistic Director in a nutshell. I’m sure that there are things I’ve forgotten, but this is already awfully long! I hope that it’s kind of useful!
(You know, I had so much fun typing this answer to your question, I think I’m going to make it a journal entry!)