Managing Director
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Topic: Managing Director
Posted By: DramaMom
Subject: Managing Director
Date Posted: 7/14/05 at 10:24pm
I was approached by a friend on the board of a local not for profit theater company to apply for their managing director position. I guess I never thought about it before and have worked in communty theater as a production manager and stage manager,in tech lighting and sound etc. and currently as a Producer/ Theater Manager at a Middle and High School of the Arts. I applied for the position and just realized I have no idea what a Managing Director does. I have tried to get information on it off the web. From what I am gleaming it seems to be a a job that is pretty individual to each company but does handle finances, advertising, grant writing, development etc. I got a call from a board member (a friend) this morning and they have looked at my resume and she says I made it to the interview process. Help- I need to have a general idea what a Managing Director does. This job actually pays.
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Replies:
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:40am
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Think of it this way: The Artistic Director of the theater
usually is in charge of all the creative decisions -- which plays to produce for the season, which directors to hire to helm the plays, etc, etc. The Managing Director is in charge of the theater's business affairs such as you indicated above -- marketing, grants, finances, etc. Sometimes they work hand-in-hand. Other times they butt heads. For example: The Artistic Director may decide next season they are to do a new play, an avant-garde piece, or a Shakespeare production. The Managing Director will tell them that ticket sales and market research indicate their audiences don't want to see new or weird pieces, but familiar chestnuts and musicals. Sometimes they compromise with the Managing Director allowing an avant-garde show if the season also includes a remounting of "Guys And Dolls." The Artistic Director finds a director and designer for the show; The Managing Director determines how much they'll be paid. The A.D. pushes the envelope; the M.D. watches the bottom line. Etc, etc. Hope this helps. Good luck to you. ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: th8rguykc
Date Posted: 7/18/05 at 2:48pm
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Get a specific job description from your organization. While Topper defines what is probably the "norm" for these two titles I have worked as a "Theatre Manager", "Managing Director", "Producer" and other titles with various job duties. As a Managing Director I actually had some artistic control alongside the board, (there was no Artistic Director). Each organization will define these jobs as they like. Titles are a dime a dozen. |