The House is Chicago’s premier home for original works of physical and music theatre. Founded and led by Artistic Director Nathan Allen and driven by an interdisciplinary ensemble of Chicago’s next generation of great storytellers. The House aims to become a laboratory and platform for the evolution of the American theatre as an inclusive and popular artform.
The House was founded in 2001 by a group of friends to explore connections between Community and Storytelling through a unique theatrical experience. In 2002 The House was hailed by the Chicago Sun Times as “The Next Big Thing.” In early 2007, following dozens of world premiere productions, and national attention from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, Variety, and American Theatre Magazine, The House achieved even greater success with “The Sparrow,” which Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones called, “Among the very best original theater pieces I’ve ever seen.”
The House now produces a 4 show mainstage season with additional late-nite productions and employs 3 full time and 2 part time staff members. We currently perform at the 150 seat Chopin Theatre in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago.
The House’s plays are developed and devised by our ensemble of story-driven theatremakers. Our stories are set in worlds of fairy tales and comic books, science fiction, fantasy and action/adventure in an effort to draw audiences from different parts of the city and get them to laugh and cry together.
House shows are visceral and immersive events. Filled with music, dance, and spectacular stagecraft all in service of classical storytelling. Epic tales of heroes, gods and monsters are brought to life by blending popular performance traditions like Vaudeville, Kabuki, and Grand Guinol, with Cinematic and Popular Music influences.
Chris Jones of the Chicago Tribune has called The House: “a group of fearless, optimistic and prodigiously talented theater artists with an unusually cohesive collective aesthetic, rooted in the production of original material drawn from a blend of mythology and mass culture, and produced with an uncommonly intense and open communication with a young and excited audience.”
Charles Isherwood of The New York Times has said “Everyone in Chicago goes to The House.”
Since becoming eligible in 2004, The House has been nominated for 45 Joseph Jefferson Awards (17 wins) and became the first recipient of Broadway in Chicago’s Emerging Theater Award in 2007. Now celebrating its 10th year of original work, The House continues its mission to unite Chicago in the spirit of Community through amazing feats of Storytelling.
Responsibilities
The Managing Director is the Chief Executive Officer of The House and as such is responsible for all marketing, fundraising, community development, financial performance and reporting, public relations and personnel functions. Reporting to the Board of Directors, and in partnership with the Artistic Director as the representative of the creative artists and artistic ensemble, the Managing Director is charged with leading the theatre and carrying out its mission in a manner that supports the continuity of the theatre and adheres to the established policies of the theatre.
The specific responsibilities of the Managing Director include:
• As a partner with the Artistic Director, the Board, and Ensemble, establish, maintain and direct a spirit of community and accomplishment within the organization that align with the theatre’s mission.
• Act in the role of the theatre’s major spokesperson with donors, the business community, and the subscriber base and business and vendor partners. Work closely with the Artistic Director in the construction of House messages, and involve the Artistic Director where appropriate to describe future and previous works and accomplishments.
• Serve as the main staff liaison to the Board of Directors, managing workflow and deliverables by Board members to ensure they have the information and resources to meet their fundraising obligations.
• Facilitate short and long-term planning efforts in conjunction with the Board and all other House stakeholders, be they employees, independent artist or critical business partners.
• Provide leadership to the Director of Development, the Board’s Vice President of Fundraising and the Board on all matters related to the generation of revenues from supporters and the business & fund community.
• Act as the responsible executive for all matters related to human capital resources; inclusive of management of all administrative personnel and any bargaining required for negotiation of employee agreements and resolution of employee disputes.
• Work as partner with the Artistic Director in formulating employee compensation plans and in the construction and tracking of season budgets. This includes any actions over payment decisions to ensemble members, staff and vendors.
• Guide the House into a new, healthy and long-term relationship with Actors Equity Association
• Oversee development of the annual budget with direct input from the Artistic Director and staff with Board and Finance Committee oversight.
• Oversee the timley completion and approval of the fiscal year audit process, as well as all required regulatory reporting, such as 990’s.
• Design, create and manage the production of weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting involving financial position, performance against goals, major changes in planning assumptions, and “executive dashboard reporting” tracking critical performance thresholds and highlighting significant performance variances.
• Control and approve expenditures.
• Manage the application of funds, cash-control, budget adherence, and treasury related duties of the Theatre; ensuring financial viability; and identifying mission-issues with an allowance of time for appropriate Board resolution.
• Promote an atmosphere of group accomplishment and common value recognition in all matters related to the people involved in all House efforts.
• Take the leadership position in all human capital acquisition, disposition, personnel policy creation and control, and company announcement efforts.
Traits and Characteristics
• A creative and dynamic sense of leadership and mission.
• A passion for the theatre; and for theatre as an artform that can inspire a feeling of fellowship in an audience.
• Respect for each individual and their positions on House related issues.
• A commitment to the House philosophy of artistic involvement and the House model of ensemble involvement.
• An understanding of the creative process, the various functions that are involved with all theatre activities, and the process of artistic creation and production.
• A persona that leaves no room for doubt that the Managing Director is a supporter of The House at the founder level of commitment.
• A mastery of leadership and motivation.
• An intellectual acuity and mental involvement level that demonstrates a razor-sharp and intense focus on The House being the best it can be in all matters.
• Demonstration of intelligence (problem solving, analysis, creative and emotional) that demands respect and attracts allegiance.
• Interpersonal skills that facilitate and support the accomplishment of all responsibilities.
• Judgment that allows for the recognition of errors, supports timely and responses, and produces accurate and correct actions plans in most cases.
Qualifications
• Ten years of successful experience in a non-profit theatre organization.
• Leadership experience at an executive level.
• Experience in the development and production of new theatre works.
• Experience negotiating and contracting with relevant theatrical unions.
• A demonstrated passion for the theatre as an actor, production artist, business development expert, organizational developer, or key organizational executive.
Compensation will be commensurate with qualification and experience and is competitive with prevailing compensation for similar positions within the non-profit performing arts industry. Benefits include medical insurance and paid leave package. The House Theatre of Chicago is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Please send a confidential résumé and cover note to William Baker (wmbaker@bakermontgomery.com) and Nathan Allen (Nathan@thehousetheatre.com).
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