Artistic Director

Compensation

65,000-70,000

Organization overview:

South Carolina Children’s Theatre (SCCT) is a growing non-profit organization with an annual budget of $1,560,000 located in Greenville, SC. For more than 35 years, SCCT has served approximately 30,000 young people and their families annually with its mission: to empower and inspire a new generation of changemakers through theatre. Programs include performances and special events, theatre classes, on-site residencies, school tours, and outreach programs for under-estimated communities. It is an exciting time to join SCCT as the organization recently completed a $14.45M capital campaign to build its own theatre complex in downtown Greenville, allowing programs and administrative staff to grow significantly.

SCCT envisions a community where all children experience the transformational power of the arts to foster creativity, encourage empathy, and inspire confidence. SCCT is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice both in the organization and community. SCCT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Position overview:

South Carolina Children’s Theatre (SCCT) is seeking a dynamic and visionary Artistic Director to lead the artistic and creative programming of the organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Artistic Director will be responsible for ensuring that SCCT fulfills its mission through innovative artistic programming, development of new works, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment. This role offers an exciting opportunity for a creative leader who is passionate about theatre for young audiences and committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the arts.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Artistic Development and Production Supervision

• Provide the primary vision, leadership, and direction for SCCT’s artistic and creative programming.
• In partnership with the CEO, select a diverse and engaging season of plays and musicals that align with SCCT’s mission, values, and multi-generational audiences.
• Oversee all season productions, including directing at least two productions annually.
• Cultivate relationships with local and regional artists, fostering a creative and inclusive environment for artists, students, staff, and volunteers.
• Supervise the production department, including artistic and technical personnel, ensuring a climate of collaboration that attracts, retains, and motivates a top-quality, diverse staff, and manage expected workload.
• Promote new play development, including commissioning and collaborating on works that reflect the experiences and interests of SCCT’s audiences.
• Evaluate and ensure the artistic excellence of all productions and programs through active participation throughout the process including but not limited to auditions, rehearsals, build, tech, and performances.

2. Collaboration and Teamwork

• Partner with the CEO to achieve organizational goals, including financial sustainability and maximizing community impact.
• Collaborate with Education and Community Engagement teams to integrate artistic programming with SCCT’s educational and community engagement initiatives as well as integrating students into artistic programming.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with directors, designers, artists, and other collaborators to produce high-quality theatrical experiences.

3.      Community Engagement

• Serve as the public face of SCCT’s artistic programming, actively cultivating relationships with local and regional artists, schools, community organizations, and patrons.
• Advocate for the arts and SCCT’s mission within the local and regional community.
• Support efforts to grow SCCT’s audience and donor base, working closely with the Development team to enhance engagement and fundraising.

4.      Operational Oversight

• Manage the artistic and production budgets, ensuring financial accountability and strategic resource allocation.
• Oversee auditions, casting, and staffing decisions in collaboration with production and administrative teams.
• Ensure adherence to professional standards, safety protocols, and industry best practices.

5.      Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with the CEO, executive leadership, board, and community partners to develop, implement, and periodically update SCCT’s long-term strategic plan.
• Work closely with the CEO to create annual program budgets and production calendars that align with organizational goals and make adjustments through season to maintain expenses, if needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Artistic Director, Director, or in a similar leadership role within a theatre organization.
• Demonstrated connection to and passion for Theatre for Young Audiences, youth/family-centered arts, and arts education.
• A strong commitment to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and access in all aspects of programming and operations.
• A track record of artistic achievement, including directing or producing high-quality theatrical productions.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and collaborate with diverse teams.
• Strong organizational and financial management skills, with experience managing budgets and strategic resource allocation.
• Familiarity with new play development and cultivating relationships with playwrights and artists is a plus.

Benefits:

South Carolina Children’s Theatre (SCCT) offers health insurance to all full-time employees at no cost to the employee. In addition, the following benefits are also available:

• Two weeks of paid time off (increases with tenure); 5 paid sick days; 12 paid holidays; additionally, SCCT offices are closed from December 24 – January 1 with full compensation still given to employees
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Complimentary tickets for each production per season
• Discounts on Education classes and Summer Camps
• Free parking in downtown Greenville

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to jobs@scchildrenstheatre.org with the words “Artistic Director” in the subject line.