Producing Director, Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences

About The Kennedy Center

“I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” – President John F. Kennedy

The Kennedy Center is the nation’s cultural center and living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Located on the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the Center presents performances across all genres, and is also home to artistic affiliates Washington National Opera and National Symphony Orchestra. 

At the Kennedy Center, we strive to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are able to advance our mission because of our committed and passionate employees. We are fortunate to be able to leverage their diverse perspectives, life experiences and skills to inform how our workplace can be a safe, transparent, and replenishing community. The Kennedy Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis protected by law. 

Mission Statement: As the nation's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts. 

Why Join Us

We offer a comprehensive range of benefits to all full-time employees including: 

• Staff offers for discount tickets
• Retirement plan with organization matching (after 1 year of employment)
• Qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Commuter programs including pre-tax options for discounted parking and SmartBenefits (WMATA)
• Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Days available immediately upon hire
• 11 paid holidays per year 
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with FSA and HSA options, and paid FMLA
• Flexible work arrangements
• We like to have fun! Check out the Kennedy Center National Dance Day 2023 staff video!

Job Description

The Producing Director, Theater for Young Audiences (TYA) leads the TYA team in the Education Division at the Kennedy Center.  The position leads all aspects of commissioning, development, and overall producing of the TYA season of in-house and touring productions.  Playing a key role in TYA programmatic decisions, the position leads the new work development process, taking selected projects from inception to onstage delivery, moving newly-written plays and musicals through multiple drafts and workshops towards their public season announcement, rehearsal, tech, and ultimately their world premieres.  The position oversees creative team selection and casting for each TYA project.  The Producing Director is someone who can understand what an artist is trying to achieve, and help them realize it practically, balancing the big picture with the tactical day-to-day tasks at hand.   

The Producing Director, TYA is responsible for not only the development of each commissioned show, but also the logistical coordination, artist management, marketing, budgeting, evaluation, resource management, and oversight of all TYA activities.  The position has up to 3 direct reports, and also hires and manages 150+ artists throughout the course of any given season.  (2-4 commissioned productions, 2-5 booked-in presentations, 4-7 development workshops, and 1 remount and national tour per season, in addition to a biennial New Visions/New Voices festival and ongoing creative commissioning work).

The Producing Director, TYA serves as the primary contact with Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) and conducts all Equity and non-Equity auditions and casting; negotiates and hires nearly all artists for TYA commissions, workshops, productions, and tours from directors to designers to actors; oversees weekly AEA payroll and union benefits; and supervises the TYA team’s overall processing and executing of contracts. 

Key Responsibilities

• Plans and implements an artistic season of TYA for multiple age groups.  Line produces all TYA productions.  Handles artist logistics throughout the production process; maintains relationships with artists before, during and after a production; and provides direct supervision and oversight of 150+ contracted and part-time artists and production personnel each season.  Negotiates and hires playwright, composer, director, designer, and other creative team members’ contracts related to the commissioned and produced shows, oversees the drafting and execution of creative team and actor contracts, and acts as a proactive and positive liaison between TYA and all other departments of the Center including Marketing, Advertising, Press and Production.  Produces the developmental workshops needed prior to the commissioned productions’ world premieres.
• Produces all aspects of the annual Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour production including: artistically managing the remount process of the production with the creative team; casting, hiring and supervising the performers of each touring company; being the “on call” liaison with touring companies (~12 on-the-road actors and technicians) to solve problems, make decisions, and help maintain the company’s professionalism and welfare while on the road; overseeing the tour routing, as well as the external Agent who is selling and routing the tours.  Works in partnership with the Production and Operations Manager, TYA to manage every element of the Center’s only annual national touring initiative.
• Provides artistic leadership for the TYA program, providing input and insight to commissions, productions, and tours through every step of their developmental and production process; plays a central role in long-range season planning efforts curated with Director, Education Programs and Production, Director of Activation and Engagement and the Theater Education department; participates in ongoing anti-racism work across Theater Education; plans, coordinates and implements the development of new work; provides dramaturgical feedback for plays in development; aligns work with the Education Artist-in-Residence initiative, managing and incorporating their TYA-related projects into the season as appropriate; works closely with the Director Education Programs and Productions and the Assistant Manager, Theater Education to help select and manage Performances for Young Audiences bookings/presentations to round out each season of TYA programming; assists in creating mutually beneficial collaborations/connections with other Education Division programs.
• Serves as TYA’s primary casting contact and manages all aspects of auditions, casting and hiring of principals and understudies for all touring and produced shows, as well as developmental workshops; collaborates with show directors, casting directors, and the Director of Education Programs and Productions to determine creative team selection for productions in alignment with TYA’s anti-racism commitments; serves as General Manager to coordinate actor contracts and terms of employment; develops and maintains a deep knowledge of the agreements for AEA, SDC and USA.
• Supervises the Production and Operations Manager, TYA in budget creation and management for TYA budget areas; oversees all TYA-related expenditures and establishes methods of maintaining budget control through each projections period; serves as the department’s primary contact with Kennedy Center Finance and Human Resources personnel on matters such as contracts, payroll, purchase orders, and account reconciliations; supervises the preparation and executing of financial contracts related to TYA workshops, productions, and tours, including Independent and Employee Contracts, as well as serving as the department’s primary liaison with AEA (and at times, SDC and USA); oversees weekly AEA payroll and union benefits; in coordination with the Production and Operations Manager, TYA, oversees the processing of all other artist weekly payroll, as well as the processing of subsequent and applicable and related union benefits (health and welfare, pension, and dues).
• Manages nimble cross-functional team (up to 3 direct reports), including goal setting and regular meetings; contributes to short-mid-long term strategic planning efforts for TYA and EdPP; mentors intern and Program Assistant in commissioning, casting, and producing process; as appropriate, serves as a key spokesperson, representative, and ambassador of the Kennedy Center at national and international conferences, taking an active role in cultivating key relationships and associations with organizations such as: Theatre for Young Audiences/USA, International Performing Arts for Youth, Association of Performing Arts Presenters, American Alliance for Theatre and Education, Theatre Communications Group, and others; represents the Kennedy Center on national and international boards, committees, and panels; maintains contact and communications with local, national, and international artists and managers in the TYA field; watches for trends and movements in TYA and brings that insight to the Theater Education team; supports divisional and departmental activities, conferences, events, projects, and programs, as needed; serves as a resource in creativity and innovation for the Education Division.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Key Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in the performing arts, arts management, Theater for Young Audiences, or other related field, or equivalent professional performing arts experience as an Artistic or Producing Director of theater. 
• 6 - 8 years of producing and managerial experience is a must, preferably with some of that experience in a producing theater that commissions and develops new onstage work.
• Strong managerial and administrative abilities are required.  Experience working with artists and creative teams is required. Prior producing experience is required. Qualified candidates must possess dramaturgical skills and demonstrate an awareness of the national and international trends of work for young audiences.  Experience in strategic planning, project management, developing and managing budgets, marketing, and staff supervision is preferred.
• An affinity for numbers and organization is essential.  Aptitude to oversee and maintain budgets is preferred, as is proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word).   
• Candidate must be local or willing to relocate to the DMV area. The Producing Director must make the Kennedy Theater their full-time professional focus. The position requires flexible work hours and days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a theater.