Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Define Artistic Director

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Topic: Define Artistic Director
Posted: 1/31/01 at 2:18pm

At a recent board meeting we had a few discrepencies over what,EXACTLY, the role of the Artistic Director means. And the repsonsiblities this individual must undertake. What would be your best job description for this role??

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Posted: 4/04/01 at 2:03pm

i've had to go through this myself. the problem is that the Artistic Director has different responsibilities in different theatres. the best thing to do is poll your area. call large theatres and ask for the job description of their Artistic Director. normally, if you explain what it is for, they won't have a problem giving it to you.
then, from those descriptions, you and your board need to customize yours.
hope this was helpful!

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Posted: 4/06/01 at 11:27pm

I am also confused. No other theater for 100 miles. Could someone please give it their best shot? My thinking is the Artistic Director would be the person(s) directing the actors, dancers,music etc. But then again I'm new to this, so need some guidence.

Ruth

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Posted: 4/09/01 at 11:33am

I disagree. The Artistic Director plays a far more important role in the organization. The AD is responsible for the theater season. This includes selecting (or approving) the plays, making sure the season is balanced and meets the goals of the organization in type and style of play. The AD selects the main personnel involved in the play (Producer, Director) and works with them on the artistic interpretation of the play.

I think the Manager or Executive Director is responsible for the business side of the organization and the AD is responsible for the stage portion. The AD is responsible to make sure the season makes budget. The AD prepares a draft budget for the season and negotiates with the ED for the budget figures to be submitted to the Board for approval.

The AD is often the most theatrically experienced person around and helps with difficult technical problems when asked by the Producer, Director or one of the Designers (set, costumer, lighting, sound, special effects). But only when asked. I would never expect the AD to talk to the actors or others involved in the production without the approval of the Director or Producer.

The AD needs to keep track of how the production is progressing and to step in if the time comes that it is necessary. The AD would be the person ultimately responsible for the quality of the production and must be ready to have serious discussions with the Producer and Director if things are not progressing satisfactorily.

Many small theaters combine the ED and AD positions. This seems reasonable for those organizations with a small staff. It also seems to reduce the conflict between the business side (read financial) of the organization and the artistic desire for high quality productions.

I will try to come up with an AD job description - I have seen a couple floating around somewhere.

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Posted: 4/17/01 at 9:10am

my understanding is that the Artistic Director's main job is to insure the mission of the theatre. if the theatre is to promote education for children in a certain age group (as an example) the Artistic Director chooses a season that fulfills this goal. the goal itself mostly becomes important in receiving grants and the like, but, a grant can be taken away if the actuality of the theatre is too far from the Mission Statement. in this way, they lead the overall goals of the group. unfortunately, all of the specifics beyond that point are subject to each individual company's actual needs.

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Author	Message
Guests Guest	Topic: Define Artistic Director Posted: 1/31/01 at 2:18pm
	At a recent board meeting we had a few discrepencies over what,EXACTLY, the role of the Artistic Director means. And the repsonsiblities this individual must undertake. What would be your best job description for this role??

	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 4/04/01 at 2:03pm
	i've had to go through this myself. the problem is that the Artistic Director has different responsibilities in different theatres. the best thing to do is poll your area. call large theatres and ask for the job description of their Artistic Director. normally, if you explain what it is for, they won't have a problem giving it to you. then, from those descriptions, you and your board need to customize yours. hope this was helpful!
	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 4/06/01 at 11:27pm
	I am also confused. No other theater for 100 miles. Could someone please give it their best shot? My thinking is the Artistic Director would be the person(s) directing the actors, dancers,music etc. But then again I'm new to this, so need some guidence. Ruth
	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 4/09/01 at 11:33am
	I disagree. The Artistic Director plays a far more important role in the organization. The AD is responsible for the theater season. This includes selecting (or approving) the plays, making sure the season is balanced and meets the goals of the organization in type and style of play. The AD selects the main personnel involved in the play (Producer, Director) and works with them on the artistic interpretation of the play. I think the Manager or Executive Director is responsible for the business side of the organization and the AD is responsible for the stage portion. The AD is responsible to make sure the season makes budget. The AD prepares a draft budget for the season and negotiates with the ED for the budget figures to be submitted to the Board for approval. The AD is often the most theatrically experienced person around and helps with difficult technical problems when asked by the Producer, Director or one of the Designers (set, costumer, lighting, sound, special effects). But only when asked. I would never expect the AD to talk to the actors or others involved in the production without the approval of the Director or Producer. The AD needs to keep track of how the production is progressing and to step in if the time comes that it is necessary. The AD would be the person ultimately responsible for the quality of the production and must be ready to have serious discussions with the Producer and Director if things are not progressing satisfactorily. Many small theaters combine the ED and AD positions. This seems reasonable for those organizations with a small staff. It also seems to reduce the conflict between the business side (read financial) of the organization and the artistic desire for high quality productions. I will try to come up with an AD job description - I have seen a couple floating around somewhere.
	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 4/17/01 at 9:10am
	my understanding is that the Artistic Director's main job is to insure the mission of the theatre. if the theatre is to promote education for children in a certain age group (as an example) the Artistic Director chooses a season that fulfills this goal. the goal itself mostly becomes important in receiving grants and the like, but, a grant can be taken away if the actuality of the theatre is too far from the Mission Statement. in this way, they lead the overall goals of the group. unfortunately, all of the specifics beyond that point are subject to each individual company's actual needs.
	IP Logged

Topic: Define Artistic Director( Topic Closed)