Position Announcement

Playwright Lyricist /Program DirectorStorycatchers Theatre

Storycatchers Theatre is seeking an accomplished musical theatre playwright and director with significant experience in developing and running youth development theater programs for urban youth. The position will be filled no later than March 1, 2013. Storycatchers Theatre has engaged Millennia Consulting as its search consultant.

Storycatchers Theatre is seeking a mid-career professional with significant professional level writing skills in story narrative and musical play development. S/he must have experience directing and producing musical theatre with marginalized populations. The successful candidate must have successfully produced original musical theater for and with marginalized populations and be committed to a career as a teaching artist. S/he must have a strong interest in youth development and the value of illuminating social issues through storytelling

Storycatchers Theatre prepares young people to make thoughtful life choices through the process of writing, producing and performing original musical theatre inspired by personal stories. Storycatchers Theatre uses creative writing and the performing arts to serve community and incarcerated youth (14 – 21) in Chicago and near suburbs. Under the guidance of Storycatchers teaching artists, youth create original work reflecting their life experiences. The writing and performance skills workshops for each program culminate in an original one-act musical. The playwright/program director will be responsible for turning the work of the youth into the book and lyrics and/or supervising/training other teaching artists to do so.

The Playwright/Program Director will work with the Artistic Director to manage and mentor Storycatchers program staff as well as serve as Lead Artist for at least one program. S/he will be responsible for learning, maintaining and teaching Storycatchers methods for creating and producing original youth musicals and will also oversee the maintenance of high production standards, youth expectations and working partnerships with various institutions.

Responsibilities include managing/ mentoring/ overseeing Teaching Artists as they establish and execute programs:

Create original one-act musical presentations based on teen participant’s stories and life experiences.

Curriculum creation that will promote story and play creation Create program session agenda and supervise appropriate program staff

meetings Participate in Teaching Artist and volunteer training Oversee Script and song development for at least 2 productions per year Oversee Program presentations (staged readings, performances) Oversee Production work and Evaluation of participants and program staff Additional duties as required to ensure program success

3530 North Damen Avenue Suite 1000 Chicago, Illinois 60618 Tel: 312.922.9920www.consultmillennia.com

The successful applicant should have most of the following professional qualifications:

Masters degree in theater/playwriting or equivalent professional theater and playwriting experience Produced author of book and lyrics for original musical theatre 3-5 years experience in positive youth development through theater arts Experience with incarcerated and/or highly traumatized populations Experience working with marginalized populations Experience training teaching artists Experience teaching artistic skills to adults Experience in partnering with institutional staff Interest in theater as an instrument for social & personal change Some experience in working with a board of directors and in fundraising from individuals and foundations/corporations

And personal attributes:

Ability to be a strong role model for youth participants Proactive in problem solving within a team teaching environment Sense of humor Fearless, nonjudgmental and flexible Collaborative work ethic Ability to work in a high pressure environment requiring both authenticity and courtesy

Because of Storycatchers’ work with incarcerated youth, the AAD must be able to clear a criminal background check and drug tests, have a current driver’s license and have access to a dependable vehicle.

Storycatchers Theatre offers a competitive salary and health care benefits. Storycatchers Theatre is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume by February 11, 2012 to:

search@consultmillennia.com

Qualified applicants will be expected to submit a complete musical script and synopsis.

Email responses only please. No phone calls, faxes or mail please. Millennia’s Marcia Lipetz will respond to each inquiry.

3530 North Damen Avenue Suite 1000 Chicago, Illinois 60618 Tel: 312.922.9920www.consultmillennia.com