The Historic Masonic Theatre and Amphitheatre complex is located in downtown Clifton Forge, Virginia; nestled in the beautiful Western Alleghany Highlands. This Historic, three-story Beaux-Arts building and the Underground level was originally designed by the Lynchburg firm of Frye and Chesterman and opened in September 1906 serving as a meeting hall, a vaudeville stage, and movie theatre facility. Today, after a painstaking $6.9 million renovation the historic Theatre has been transformed to its former glory. The facility boasts not only a first-class venue for performing arts and entertainment (including an outdoor Amphitheatre) but a variety of multi-use spaces for such activities as weddings and special events as well as educational, entertainment, business, and social programming.
Since opening in July 2016, the Theatre and Amphitheatre have hosted or presented more than 495 unique ticketed, community, and private events.
We have welcomed more than 260,000 visitors into our facilities.
Of the 495 events we have presented since we opened, 40% have been ticketed, 25% have been private and fully 35% (approximately 173 events) have been community events, the vast majority offered free of charge, open to the public.
We work closely with arts partners in the area including Barter Theatre, Roanoke Children’s Theatre, and Virginia Commission for the Arts. We are 60 to 90 minutes from Roanoke and Charlottesville, and an easy drive from Washington, D.C., and Richmond.
Forty-nine per cent of our ticket-buying patrons live more than 45 miles away, 21% live outside the commonwealth, and the percentages keep increasing.
We seek an Executive Directory to serve in the senior level management position reporting to the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation Board of Directors. The Executive Director will oversee a staff of two full time and seven part-time paid employees and 60 volunteers. The successful candidate will develop and administer an annual operating budget of approximately a half-million dollars. A recent independent economic impact study showed that The Historic Masonic Theatre has positively impacted the Alleghany Highlands by 2.3 million dollars in 2018. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to establish the artistic and strategic direction of the facility.
The successful candidate will:
- Provide leadership and guidance to the Masonic Theatre Complex by working effectively with artists and agents as well as local, regional, and national performing arts communities for the development of a dynamic performing arts program.
- The Executive Director will serve as an Ambassador to public and private sector entities including but not limited to town and county government officials as well as local, regional and national funding sources.
- The Executive Director works closely with development staff and board members to identify and cultivate prospective donors, seek grant funding, and grow corporate gifts. The Executive Director will also explore opportunities for commercial presentations and rentals, which will contribute positively to the earned revenue mix.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree a field related to theatre management or equivalent theater management.
Excellent human relations, management, and communications skills.
Demonstrate experience in developing and executing theatre arts management and programming.
Successful experience in fundraising for a not-for-profit organization.
Experience in teaching classes and working with different age levels of students.
Excellent computer and software skills.
Please send resume and cover letter, with salary requirements to: info@historicmasonictheatre.com
Salary commensurate with experience, Benefits.
We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.
General Responsibilities:
- Provide leadership and guidance to the Masonic Theatre Complex (MTC) by working effectively with artists and agents, community arts organizations, public and private sectors, including, but not limited to town and county government officials, MTC staff and volunteers and local, regional and national funding sources.
- Establish policies and practices to effectively manage the venues, facilities, and grounds within the Masonic Theatre Complex. Short term, become fully engaged in the completion of the renovation project and develop a plan to ensure all systems within the theatre are well understood and can be used effectively.
- Provide expertise and guidance in programming, marketing, fundraising, and public relations to achieve established goals and objectives.
- Implement an effective and comprehensive communication program to ensure the Historic Masonic Theatre constituents and partners are fully informed and aware of programs and initiatives of the MTC.
- Develop, with assistance of board, a training/education program which creates a “teaching theatre”, a place that allows students the opportunity to have hands-on educational opportunities to apply classroom and hands-on experiences in both programming and management.
Programming Responsibilities:
- Serve as Program Coordinator for the Historic Masonic Theatre and Masonic Amphitheatre and work
closely with outside companies and other users of the facility. - Responsible for MTC’s offerings and artistic programming, consistent with the activity level outlined in
the business plan of the MTC, including but not limited to coordination of Theatre and Amphitheatre
events. - Negotiate contracts and agreements with user groups consistent with policies and approvals established
by the Board of Directors.
Fundraising Responsibilities:
- Lead and strengthen fundraising endeavors, utilizing local, regional and national resources.
- Develop robust fundraising program with individual donors.
- Develop and execute Operations fundraising campaign.
Financial and Budget Responsibilities:
- Generate budgets and operating plans, consistent with 5‐year operating pro forma
- Oversee assets and financial affairs of the MTC to ensure expenditures are in line with resources, to achieve appropriate balance between revenue generation/fundraising and expenses.
- Prepare annual MTC budget for Board of Directors approval. Once approved, manage theatre operations to achieve financial objectives. Provide a regular report on progress and results.
Marketing and Public Relations:
- Participate in strategic planning and evolution of existing and new programs with goal of enhancing the mission of the MTC’s programs and development efforts.
- Develop and promote the MTC as a brand to successfully establish the Theatre as a recognized leader of artistic endeavor in the region.
- Establish partnerships with local and regional arts providers, caterers, business clients and local leaders to optimize the effectiveness of marketing efforts.
Teaching and Learning:
- Identify classroom and experiential training and education programs using the local and regional community college and other higher education options to facilitate identification of faculty and development.
- Develop student training programs to include practicums, for credit special studies and non‐traditional approaches so that the theatre has an active program for students to experience all aspects of the theatre.
Supervisory:
- Overall responsibility for daily management of MTC.
- Develop, lead, and manage directly or through delegation, staff, and volunteers.
- Manage all operations and responsibilities relating to the venues and grounds of the MTC.
- Provide regular and timely reports on the status of achievement of goals and financial results.
Reporting:
- Direct reporting relationship to Board of Directors Masonic Theatre Inc.
- Participate in all Board meetings and other committee meetings as required.
- Participate as restoration project team member, which includes representative(s) of the Masonic Theatre.
- Preservation Foundation, Masonic Theatre Inc., Owner’s Agent, Project Architect and General Contractor.
Education, Experience and Training:
- Bachelor’s degree a field related to theatre management or equivalent theater management experience.
- Demonstrated Human Relations, Management and Communications skills are a must.
- Excellent computer and software skills.
- Successful experience in developing and executing theatre arts management and programming.
- Successful experience in fundraising for a not for profit organization.
- Experience in teaching classes and working with college-level students is desirable.
Salary:
Commensurate with education and work experience, Fringe benefits.
