JOB OFFER: Associate Director of the Directing Program

The National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) is seeking a dynamic artist to help lead its unique Directing Program. The ideal candidate will be at once an independent thinker and deeply devoted to true collaboration, an accomplished artist who is capable of building pedagogy of the highest quality, and a true believer in the power of theatre to change the world.  
 
The Associate Director should be a well-respected professional theatre director with national and/or international exposure, who is committed to and experienced in transmitting knowledge to students while at the same time fostering in them the development of their own artistic voice. The candidate must nurture a strong work ethic and be able to articulate and support a vision for the Program – both philosophically and practically. The candidate must have direct and personal access to a network of significant and influential theatre practitioners in Canada and abroad. 

The successful candidate will report to the Artistic Director of the English Section, be a member the Coordination Committee, and fully participate in pedagogical meetings.
 
 
CONTEXT 

NTS, an intense, thriving hub of creativity founded in 1960, exposes its hand-picked student body to a wide range of approaches, working methods and expertise. We believe in the power of theatre to bring people together to think, feel and dream as one. Theatre strengthens communities, develops empathy and creativity, sparks debate and fosters collective well-being, to better equip society to tackle the complex challenges of our time. 
 
Continually inspired by the energy and drive of its students and the artistic community, NTS is developing new ways of providing access to its expertise so that it can play a leading role in consolidating the cultural sector and building a more compassionate, resilient and healthier society. 
 
The Director Program of the English Section at NTS offers training for directors that is rigorous and immersive. It supports individual growth through exposure to a diversity of professional practices and theatre styles, including a thorough examination of current Canadian and Quebec theatre practices. Students in the English Section will also work closely with those from the French Section on select projects, allowing them to develop an intimate rapport with Quebecois theatre and artists. 
 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Associate Director of the Directing Program of the English Section defines the content, determines the activities, and selects the students and faculty of the Directing Program, in association with the Artistic Director. Working in partnership with the French Directing Program, the Associate Director will also coordinate the various Artistic Residencies at the School and participate in the implementation of the New Pathways strategy.  
 
Reporting to the Artistic Director of the English Section, the Associate Director is responsible for:

  • The overall vision and administration of the Directing Program, in association with the Artistic Director of the English Section;
  • Developing, implementing, and maintaining the pedagogical vision, priorities and operations of the program;

  • Working with the French Directing Program to coordinate the Artistic Residencies to ensure their integration into the School environment, encourage collaboration and explore opportunities that their presence provides;

  • Creating the content of the curriculum; Creating and scheduling workshops, courses and exercises;
  • Selecting teachers, mentors, and coaches for the program;

  • Balancing resources and time between practical application and formal training;
  • Guiding students and providing active mentorship;
  • Teaching, mentoring and coaching, as required; 
  • Evaluating the students in accordance with the Evaluation Policy of NTS;
  • Attending exercise presentations and weekly faculty meetings;
  • Leading selection process of incumbent students;
  • Developing curriculum with all of the School’s other programs; Developing shared projects with the French Directing Program (Mise en scène);
  • Acting as a liaison between the School and professional milieu, ensuring that the School’s pedagogy is connected to contemporary practice;
  • Managing the program’s annual budget and creating employment contracts.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate will:

  • Preferably be functionally bilingual in English and French (not a prerequisite for the position);
  • Have 8+ years of professional experience;
  • Have a proven track record of training, mentorship and teaching;
  • Be well versed in current artistic practices and demonstrate a solid understanding of foundational approaches;
  • Be a practicing artist who hopes to continue to develop their own body of work outside of the School; Have a strong network of artistic colleagues to share with the School;
  • Be excited by the prospect of living in the wonderful city of Montreal.

The successful candidate will also possess: 

Written and oral communication skills; 

  • Strong people skills and a proven ability to foster teamwork, develop employee and student selfsufficiency, and manage conflicting priorities in a manner that respects everyone's point of view;
  • Pedagogical skills and demonstrated teaching ability and experience;  
  • Excellent attitude toward teamwork, and the ability to work with students, artists, teachers and other staff members;  
  • Excellent leadership and consensus-building skills, the ability to demonstrate sound judgment, creativity, rigour, diplomacy, self-sufficiency, integrity, and a good sense of humour.

APPLICATION

If you are interested in this position, please submit an application describing your professional background, and explaining your interest in the position, by email to info@ent-nts.ca.

Clearly state "Application: Associate Director of the Directing Program" on the subject line. 
 
Application deadline: By noon, on Wednesday, March 28, 2018. 
 
This is a full-time Montreal-based position, requiring full availability from mid-August to mid-June. The official appointment date is July 30, 2018. There will be a transitional period between the months of May and July 2018, which will include the process of selecting the new student cohort for the 2018-2019 school year. The term of the contract is four (4) years, which could be renewable. 
 
The person appointed to the position can accept other professional engagements during the school year on condition that these do not have a negative impact on the program. Each such engagement must be reviewed with and approved by the CEO and the Artistic Director prior to acceptance.
 
 
 
ABOUT THE NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL

The National Theatre School is the premier professional training institution for theatre artists in the country. We offer high-quality training program in both official languages to the actors, directors, designers, production specialists and writers of tomorrow. Through its artistic pursuits and work culture, NTS promotes values of collaboration, transparency, flexibility, and customer service. NTS wishes to thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will receive a reply.
 
 

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