The National Theatre School of Canada is initiating a process that will lead to the appointment of a new Executive Artistic Director for its English Section. We wish for this process to be as transparent as possible and invite suitably qualified individuals from the performing arts industry to apply.
The Executive Artistic Director of the English Section contributes to the creation and implementation of a holistic artistic, theatrical and strategic vision for the School. They are responsible for the English Section's artistic and pedagogical orientation, as well as the overall coherence and optimal synergy of the Acting, Playwriting, Production Design and Technical Arts, Directing, and Set & Costume Design programs, all in accordance with the School's mission, vision and strategic plan. Additionally, they are responsible to lead the Directing Program and Residencies.
Drawing on their own expertise as an artist and their experience as a coach or teacher, the Executive Artistic Director of the English Section develops a personal and innovative vision of the role of the School's English Section within the Canadian theatrical landscape. The direction they give to the Section is built on an ongoing dialogue with students, artists and their work.
At the National Theatre School, part of the duties of the Executive Artistic Director (EAD) includes the oversight of one or several programs. Note that following a recent organizational change, the EAD of the English Section will no longer be responsible for leading the Acting Program, which will be managed by another director. Instead, the new EAD will oversee the Directing Program and Residencies, which support between 6 and 8 students/residents on any given year.
Description of responsibilities:
- In close collaboration with the CEO and the Executive Committee, helps define the values of the organization, advises on priorities connected with the strategic plan and operational reality, and contributes to the overall functioning of the School;
- In close collaboration with the CEO and other Program Directors, is responsible for articulating and implementing the overall artistic vision of the English Section, both in terms of how it responds to and influences developments in the professional sector;
- Participates actively in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) goals within the organization, including working in close collaboration with the School’s Indigenous Advisory Circle and any other EDIA committees or working groups as required;
- Manages the overall budget of the English Section in accordance with the priorities, guidelines and policies;
- Within the Directing Program and Residencies, sets the content (curriculum), the schedules and the organizational aspects (staffing, budget management) while other directors within the English Section are responsible for doing the same with their respective programs;
- Actively participates in teaching, mentoring and coaching students according to the programs’ and the Section’s needs;
- Leads the selection process of incoming Directing students/residents and evaluates them in accordance with the Evaluation Policy of NTS;
- Participates in the selection process, annual review, management and development of the Program Directors, support staff and permanent faculty of the English Section;
- Contributes to the ongoing evolution and the initiatives developed by the Centre for Arts and Social Innovation and the Library by sharing their expertise as well as their artistic/strategic vision;
- Works closely with the Executive Artistic Director and Program Directors of the French Section to foster communication between the sections and develop shared pedagogical components;
- Acts as a liaison between the School and professional milieu, ensuring that the School’s pedagogy is connected to contemporary practice, works to embed the Directing students/residents in professional milieus while still at the school, and organizes meetings with local artists;
- Helps to set and embodies the values of the organization and provides leadership to students and other staff;
- Actively works with the External Relations Department on communications and development related to the English Section programs, acts as the principal spokesperson to the English-language theatre community and actively participates in communication and fundraising initiatives and events organized by the School;
- Assumes all additional tasks related to this position.
The EAD is encouraged to continue to refine their artistic practice outside of the context of the organization, and can, from time to time and with prior approval of the CEO, work on personal artistic projects.
Those selected for an interview will receive a more comprehensive job description including additional details on the various responsibilities and tasks related to the role.
DESIRED PROFILE
The successful candidate will be a well-respected theatre leader who is artistically and pedagogically committed and experienced. They will have knowledge of the evolution and transformation of the theatre community, as well as of creation and production processes. They will be mission driven and praised for their contribution to their community.
Their career path will have enabled them to demonstrate exceptional skills in communication (internal and external), leadership and organizational management. They will have a strong ability to articulate their vision to a team of collaborators and a dynamic and committed management group, as well as a track record of executing on that vision. They will be genuinely curious, have keen observation and listening skills and be recognized as an empathetic leader by their peers.
They will have excellent written and oral communication skills in English and a working knowledge of French will be viewed as a considerable strength. Experience in a management role within a theatre company or organization will be considered a strong asset.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Employment contract for a four (4) year term including a 6-months probation period, with a possible renewal. The base salary for this position is between $110,000-120,000 per year, according to the candidate's experience. A full benefits package will be added to the base salary, including a competitive pension plan and health benefits, as well as a modest relocation budget, if required. Flexibility in the workplace is an essential value at the School, as is reconciliation of professional and personal life.
LANGUAGE
Because of the particular linguistic status of the National Theatre School and the fact that its training programs are offered in either official language, permanent staff are required to at least be able to understand and express themselves in the official language(s) other than their first language.
It is therefore expected that, regardless of the language level at the time of hiring, within 12 months, all employees will have taken the necessary steps through language training to reach a functional level, which means participation in short conversations related to daily tasks or other familiar topics. The school has training budgets and may be able to contribute to the costs of such training.
STARTING DATE
From March 2024 to June 2024, the English Section is mobilized around the admissions process for the new cohort of students (due to arrive in the Fall of 2024) and oversees the planning and preparation of courses and productions presented during the next school year.
The person who will take over as Executive Artistic Director will be invited to participate in key moments of the admissions process and preparation for the new school year. A part-time commitment is therefore planned between the end of April and the end of June 2024, according to the availability of the selected candidate and key dates within the School calendar.
It is expected that the new Executive Artistic Director will take on the role on a full-time basis starting on August 1, 2024. The workload and specific timetable will be the subject of open discussions between the new EAD, the CEO, Fanny Pagé, and the pedagogical team.
The recruitment of the new Executive Artistic Director of the English Section will be carried out by a selection committee comprising the CEO, a member of the pedagogical team of the English Section, an alumnus, as well as artists from the country's diverse theatre and art community (the names of the various individuals will be shared with candidates later on in the process).
NTS undertakes to treat all applications in the strictest confidence.
CALL FOR APPLICATION OPENING: DECEMBER 14, 2023
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
STEP 1: JOB APPLICATION // DEADLINE ON JANUARY 14, 2024
Interested people can apply by sending their application via the application portal no later than at midnight on January 14, 2024.
At this stage, the application must include the following:
- A resumé highlighting the candidate’s professional experience (in PDF format)
- Answers to questions on the application portal aimed at giving the candidate the opportunity to share with us why they would be a good fit for this position (in lieu of a cover letter). People are welcome to decide on the length of their answers, with a suggested target of 50-100 words for each.
Those selected for the second step will be contacted no later than January 22, 2024. Those not selected will also be informed.
STEP 2: FIRST INTERVIEW // BETWEEN JANUARY 22 AND FEBRUARY 9, 2024
Successful candidates will be invited to participate in a first round of interviews.
Those selected for the third step will be contacted no later than February 15, 2024. Those not selected will also be informed.
The names of the members of the selection committee, the evaluation criteria and the modus operandi of the selection committee will be made public on February 15, 2024.
It goes without saying that these people will be bound by absolute confidentiality, and that it will not be possible for candidates selected for an interview to communicate with members of the selection committee.
STEP 3A: PREPARATION OF VISION PROJECT // BETWEEN FEBRUARY 15 AND MARCH 5, 2024
Successful applicants will have approximately three (3) weeks to develop a vision project that outlines their proposed vision on the type of training NTS should offer to respond to the needs and reality of the theatre milieu.
To prepare their project, those selected will also receive by e-mail on February 15, 2024, several documents concerning the National Theatre School of Canada, including an organization chart, the activity report for 2022-2023, a copy of the current strategic plan, as well as the description of the pedagogical curriculum of the English Section and the Directing Program.
Until February 22, 2024, those selected will be able to send their questions by e-mail to cv@ent-nts.ca. A FAQ containing all the questions received and their answers will then be e-mailed to all those selected.
The vision project must be submitted no later than midnight on March 5, 2024. Applicants will be asked to present and discuss their vision project in a second round of interviews.
STEP 3B: SECOND INTERVIEW // BETWEEN MARCH 6 AND MARCH 15, 2024
Following these interviews, the selection committee will recommend the candidates who will proceed to the final stage of the selection process.
Those not selected for the final stage will be informed and will receive constructive explanations from the selection committee.
STEP 4: FINAL INTERVIEW DURING THE WEEK OF MARCH 25, 2024
A full day of in-person interviews will be scheduled for the week of March 25, 2024, with the various Program Directors of the English Section, the Executive Director of the French Section, as well as members of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors.
Following this final round of interviews, the selection committee will recommend the candidate to fill the position.
The successful candidate will be contacted by mid-April 2024.
STEP 5: DISCUSSION WITH THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE IN APRIL 2024
The purpose of this stage is to enable the successful candidate and the CEO to discuss the expectations and requirements of the position, the working conditions as well as the specific onboarding timeline.
THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NEXT EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE ENGLISH SECTION
NTS plans to make the official announcement of the new Executive Artistic Director of the English Section in the media and to the School community at the end of April 2024, coinciding with the end of the school year. This plan may be revised during the process.
For further information, please write to cv@ent-nts.ca
MISSION AND VISION OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL OF CANADA
Founded in Montreal in 1960, the National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) is a private, not-for-profit institution offering professional training programs in English and in French. A little over 150 students are enrolled in the nine professional programs and residencies and are split among the School’s two sections: French and English.
A world leader in theatrical training, NTS is one of the few conservatory-style artistic training establishments in the world to bring all theatrical disciplines together under one roof. Furthermore, over the past seven years, NTS has become one of Canada's leading providers of community arts programs.
NTS defines itself as an art school, an institution that is both artistic and educational, using professional practices to provide the best possible training for emerging artists. The School has been recognized nationally as a pioneer and centre of excellence in theatrical training, offering an innovative pedagogy that constantly questions itself, seeks to validate and adapt, and strikes a balance between tradition and modernity, pedagogy and artistic creation.
Vision: As a global leader in theatre training, NTS shares its expertise and resources with a broad and diverse community of Canadians to ensure that the performing arts continue to play an important role in society.
Mission: To serve the evolving needs of Canadian theatre, NTS:
- Provides incomparable training in English and French to actors, directors, playwrights, designers and production specialists to prepare them to work in professional theatre;
- Delivers a broad range of community programs in order to make theatre more accessible to all Canadians.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE SCHOOL
Professional programs: From hands-on training to customized artistic pathways, NTS offers 9 professional training programs. The vast majority of instructors are practicing artists, so students benefit from extraordinary networking opportunities and exceptional placement rates.
Residency programs: Residencies are available for artists who wish to broaden their practice and for whom we customize year-long training programs. Currently, there are four types of established residency programs designed and programmed to meet the specific needs of each resident: Artistic Leadership Program, Indigenous Artist Residency, Independent Residency and the Hooper Design Residency.
Centre for Arts and Social Innovation: The NTS community engagement programs have reached over 10,000 participants in 300 communities across Canada. You can find more info on the initiatives of the Centre here.
Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC): The IAC was formed at NTS in the spring of 2021. It is composed of a diverse group of established Indigenous artists and NTS alumni. Their goal is to influence and strengthen the School’s pedagogy by contributing an Indigenous worldview, and to create opportunities for the French and English Sections to come together through Indigenous artistic practice.
OUR SPACES
NTS boasts state-of-the-art facilities designed specifically for theatre: 5 performance halls, including a magnificent 800-seat proscenium-style theatre, the Ludger-Duvernay hall, located in the Monument National campus, large bright rehearsal studios, a sound studio, a lighting laboratory, a professional rigging system, professional set and costume workshops, as well as the largest bilingual theatre library in Canada, including thousands of unpublished manuscripts.
OUR TEAM
NTS employs close to 70 permanent staff whose dedicated work supports the School's mission in its 2 pavilions. In addition, NTS employs no fewer than 300 guest artists and specialists each year to provide artistic and pedagogical support and training to its 150 students enrolled in the 9 professional programs and residencies.
At NTS, the artistic direction is jointly assumed by two Executive Artistic Directors who inspire and artistically guide the institution, as well as their respective pedagogical sections (French and English). These two people work together and support the CEO, while collaborating with the various members of the school's executive committee. Both Executive Artistic Directors play a key role, along with the Indigenous Advisory Circle, in cross-sectional collaboration within the School.
The Executive Artistic Director of the English Section is supported in their work by a dedicated and committed team of 7 to 8 full-time staff and a large team of guest artists. This team, together with the rest of the staff in our various departments, supports our students and helps them thrive artistically.
MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE
NTS is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors of a dozen members from across Canada. The skills of each member are complementary and contribute to the richness of the collective expertise. The Board of Directors oversees the development, outreach, governance, and sustainability of the School's mission. They are responsible for appointing the CEO who participates in all board meetings and committees. Executive Artistic Directors are invited to present projects and initiatives to members of the Board at designated times during the school year.
The School is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives grants from various levels of government. It also calls on the generosity of the public, corporations and private foundations to support its projects. Its annual operating budget for its two campuses is approximately $10 million. The School also has access to income from endowment funds to finance its student financial aid, capital investment and innovation programs in the areas of diversity, community involvement and technology, among others.
VALUES OF THE SCHOOL
A School for the Arts. NTS is a school for the arts that is both a pedagogical and artistic institution, deploying professional practices to offer the best possible training.
A School for Canada. The School is a civic institution with charitable status and must operate with the highest ethical standards and strict financial accountability, always working for the public good. NTS straddles cultures and language, recognizing the rich complexity and distinctiveness of Indigenous, Canadian and Québécois societies.
A School in constant evolution. Our training is delivered from artis to artist and integrated across theatrical disciplines, with a focus on diverse practices that will sustain deep roots in the milieu they choose to work in.
A School for everyone. Our training is transferable, applicable to all theatrical forms and styles and should be accessible to people of all genders, races, cultures, economic backgrounds, physical and mental abilities.
Photos: Maxime Côté
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