Position Announcement: Executive Artistic Director (EAD)

Celebration Barn Theater seeks a visionary artistic leader and community builder with strong management experience. Passionate about the Barn’s mission to inspire creativity and community by harnessing the power of live performance, the EAD will build on the organization’s 50-year legacy and set the stage for a new generation of theater artists to engage audiences in innovative ways.

About Celebration Barn Theater

Located in South Paris, Maine, Celebration Barn Theater is an international center for physical theater training, creation and performance. This beautiful, restored horse barn in the woods of Maine provides an inspiring natural setting and a super-charged atmosphere that encourages artists to play at their creative edge, nurtured and provoked by a community of collaborators, and  launch performance in new directions.

When internationally-renowned mime artist and teacher Tony Montanaro founded Celebration Barn in 1972, he was driven by a deep curiosity for inspiration, creativity, and the expressive potential of the human body. Here in South Paris, Maine, Tony transformed a horse farm into a theater and, in doing so, seeded a multi-generational creative community. Across the U.S., he helped launch a movement in popular theater. The mime and vaudeville that infused American popular culture in the 70’s have evolved into today’s theatrical circuses and collaboratively-devised mainstream theater. And now, performer-generated work is influencing commercial theater at an unprecedented rate.

Over the past decade, our Board’s focus has been on strengthening the organization and expanding Celebration Barn’s impact. Workshops, residencies, and performances typically attract 200+ artists from around the globe annually. Our collaboration with Oxford Hills School District brings live performances to over 1,700 elementary students and staff, and the Summer Show Series and community events reach another 6,000 audience members annually. In 2016, we purchased the property and transformed it by building solar-powered cabins, enabling the theater to be dedicated to creativity 24/7. We have designed a master facility plan that envisions a future bathhouse, new commercial kitchen, and expanded studio space. 

Today, our new online trainings are making it possible to reach a growing global community throughout the year. We are working with artists—both live and virtually—to innovate new ways of engaging audiences. We are also investing in capital improvements to secure the property for future generations. Against all odds during a global pandemic, this past year has fueled momentum. And now, our 50th anniversary in 2022 provides an exciting opportunity to launch the next 50 years of Celebration Barn. 

Job-type: Full-time, year-round

Location: The EAD is expected to work on-site at Celebration Barn full-time during the high season (minimally mid-May thru mid-September). Other work will take place remotely, out of the EAD’s home/personal office. 

Reports to: Celebration Barn’s Board of Directors 

Direct reports: One 3/4 time Managing Director, contracted artists, and seasonal employees

Attributes the Organization is Seeking:

-3+ years of successful theater/non-profit leadership

-Demonstrated experience with strategic planning and implementation

-Experience in and passion for engaging and inspiring artists and audiences 

-Effective fundraiser, including direct cultivation and solicitation of support from individual donors, foundations, and government

-Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage a small staff

-Ability to engage a variety of constituents including community partners, board members, volunteers, artists, audiences, schools, state-wide organizations, national colleagues

-Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills

-Experience with financial management including budget development, day-to-day oversight, and regular reporting

-Highly developed computer skills including Mac proficiency and experience with Pages/Numbers, Quickbooks, Microsoft Word/Excel, and FileMaker, as well as facility with photo editing/graphic design software

-Willingness to model and stand up for appropriate, non-discriminatory behavior

-A collaborative spirit, willingness to “roll-up-your-sleeves,” and a sense of humor (of course!) 

Primary Role and Responsibilities:

-Design, implement, and oversee strategic planning to ensure the sustainability of Celebration Barn’s operations, programs, finances, fundraising, facility, and community. 

-Create the annual operating budget and ensure fiscal responsibility.

-Work with the Managing Director to oversee an annual development plan with a focus on the following components: individual giving, sponsorships, memberships, an annual silent auction, as well as other special events and campaigns as necessary.

-Curate annual workshops, residencies, performances, online trainings, and community events that deepen the impact of Celebration Barn’s mission. 

-Hire, develop and oversee staff and maintain a climate that attracts, supports, and motivates a diverse staff, volunteers and community of artists.

-Serve as the Barn’s primary spokesperson and seek collaborative arrangements with community groups, individual artists, ensembles, and businesses, locally and across the state and county.

-Work with the Property Committee on short- and long-range facility needs

-Work with the Board of Directors to lay the groundwork for a capital campaign, anticipated to launch in 2024.

Compensation and Workspace:

-The EAD will be expected to work on-site at Celebration Barn full-time, from the end of May through mid-September. At other times of the year, work will take place out of the EAD’s home/personal office. 

-Celebration Barn will provide a MacBook laptop.

-The position includes 2 weeks paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, and 10 paid sick days annually.

-To help balance the increased hours required during the high-season months of June-August (approx. 45-50 hours/week), the EAD's winter schedule is flexible January-March (approx. 30-35 hours/week).

-Salary commensurate with experience within a range of $58,000-$62,000.

-Benefits include an annual $2,000 wellness stipend, as well as a cell phone allowance.

Inclusion (Non-Discrimination) Policy

Celebration Barn Theater strives to cultivate and maintain a community that is free from all forms of discrimination. All decisions will be made without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, military status, marital status, or genetic information.

All Celebration Barn staff, volunteers, and other representatives shall model appropriate non-discriminatory behavior. Additionally, the Barn prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation of its employees, applicants, or independent contractors in any form. No employee will suffer retaliation for reporting, in good faith, any violation of this policy.

To Apply:

Send a cover letter detailing your qualifications, resume, and names and contact information for two references to: search@CelebrationBarn.com by July 7, 2021; position will remain open until filled.