Staff Openings
We recruit, nurture, maintain, and honor a highly diverse, highly qualified resident staff of theater artists, administrators, educators, and operational staff members. We focus on providing fair and competitive compensation and opportunities for growth.
Positions are updated as they become available and subsequently are filled. On an as needed basis, we also have a variety of apprenticeships available. We also post information about auditions as they become available. Learn more about the DCT team and our people here.
Artistic Director
Dallas Children's Theater (DCT) is a forum for artistic collaboration, a vital educational resource for metropolitan schools, and a vehicle of enrichment for the greater Dallas community. With a multi-million-dollar budget and a national reputation, DCT is the largest professional family theater in the Southwest offering a season of five-to-six productions as well as a theater academy, sensory-friendly programming, and arts education programs for local schools. DCT was founded in 1984 by Robyn Flatt and Dennis Vincent in response to the growing need for professional family theater. A 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, DCT envisions a world where young people, having been astonished, delighted, and challenged by the transformational experience of theater, are inspired to creatively contribute to the vibrancy of their communities. The theater makes its home in the Rosewood Center for Family Arts, a 58,000-square-foot facility that houses two theaters, scenic and costume studios, offices, four classrooms, and a reception/meeting room.
Summary
As a leader of Dallas Children's Theater, the Artistic Director will lead through collaboration, model a strong work ethic, and exhibit passion, dedication, and knowledge of Theatre for Young Audiences' multiple components. Artistic excellence is always the goal. The AD will ensure that DCT's programs are known to all constituents locally and nationally. DCT was organized on a collaborative model with the senior staff working closely together under the guidance of the Executive Director. The AD will report directly to the Executive Director and will be responsible for ensuring that the organization fulfills its mission through its innovative artistic programming, development of new work, educational offerings, production, and staffing.
Role and Responsibilities
Artistic Development and Production Supervision
- Provide primary vision, leadership, and direction for the organization's artistic, creative, and educational activities, championing new ideas and embracing new technologies.
- Oversee all season productions, which includes directing productions and welcoming new artistic voices.
- Select artistic teams for season productions and advise/consult with production staff to ensure readiness for each show's opening and run.
- Promote DCT as a home for artists, technicians, and students within the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.
- Embrace other artistic development and production supervision duties, as needed.
Programming, New Play Development, and Education
- Develop annual programming of plays, educational programs and curriculum, and associated scheduled activities, in collaboration with the Associate Artistic Director, senior staff, and education staff in a manner that advances the creative direction of the DCT.
- Nurture strong relationships with playwrights, agents, professional colleagues, and community stakeholders to ensure vibrant and diverse season offerings.
- Attend professional regional and national conferences to network with artists, agents, and other presenters in the field of Theatre for Young Audiences.
- Promote new play development and create collaborations and commissions that speak to youth.
- Reinforce DCT's mission through innovative thinking in the development and programming of new works for its theaters.
- Build meaningful connections between programs, artists, and DCT's educational and public experiences reflective of principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access.
- Embrace other season programming, new play development, and education duties, as needed.
Community Engagement, Board Relations, and Finance
- Serve as a spokesperson to promote DCT's artistic vision, brand, and reputation, locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Maintain and cultivate relationships with constituents including corporate and foundation sponsors, individual donors, business owners, schools and colleges, elected officials, and community leaders.
- Broaden the reach of the DCT by publicly highlighting its unique mission and public image as a regional asset.
- Facilitate and maintain a close relationship with the Board of Directors concerning the artistic direction of the theater and guide the assessment and modification of programmatic strategies.
- Oversee budgets for Productions and Education and provide timely financial reports to the Finance and Executive Committees and the Board of Trustees.
- Provide information and budgets to support grant applications and other fundraising activities.
- Embrace other community engagement, board relations, and finance duties, as needed.
Leadership and Strategic Planning
- Maintain a climate of collaboration that attracts, retains, motivates, and excites a top-quality, diverse artistic, education, and production staff.
- Oversee, evaluate, and advise artistic, production, and education department staff.
- Guide, implement, and update DCT's long-term strategic plan objectives in partnership with the Executive Director.
- Embrace other leadership and strategic planning duties, as needed.
Qualifications
Senior artistic leadership experience in an organization of similar size and scope, with demonstrated growth and a successful track record of programming, producing, and directing youth/family-centered work is required. The person filling this role must be artistically accomplished, resourceful, and understand the space in which DCT operates. Proven success in planning, negotiation, and managing people as a function of their artistic role is required. Qualified candidates must have a demonstrable connection to and passion for Theatre for Young Audiences, youth/family-centered arts, and arts education. Measurable success in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and access strategies is essential. Financial literacy and experience in fundraising and community engagement are highly desirable. Familiarity with local, regional, and national artistic communities is preferred.
For the full position listing, download here.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please click here or visit artsconsulting.com/opensearches. For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:
Ernest Figueroa, Associate Vice President
8581 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 406
Los Angeles, CA 90069-4120
Tel: (323) 721.0141 Ext. 226
Development Manager
For over 40 years, Dallas Children's Theater (DCT) has been astonishing kids and families with the fun of Broadway-like plays and so much more! Named by Time magazine as one of the top five children's theaters in the country, DCT is DFW's only theater center committed to bringing literature to life for children year-round. Each year, DCT's devoted cast of professional artists and others expose more than 85,000 people to one of the best educational and artistic experiences available in the area. Through the DCT Academy, hands-on workshops, substantive classroom curriculum, onstage performances, and supplemental forums for discussion around challenging themes, DCT provides kids and families with a safe, encouraging environment in which to experience the performing arts and exchange important and character-building ideas.
Summary
Dallas Children's Theater is seeking an energetic Development Manager who will oversee daily operations of the Development Team. The Development Manager will play an integral role in fundraising efforts at DCT by overseeing an annual contributed revenue of $2+ million. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Development Manager will advance the mission of DCT by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual and institutional donor relationships, as well as developing goals and strategies for all fundraising campaigns. The Grants Manager and Development Assistant report to this position.
Key Responsibilities
Relationship Management: Establish, cultivate, and maintain long-term meaningful relationships with current and new donors. Identify new fundraising opportunities and increase donor giving year-over-year. Leverage wealth screening tools to identify new donor cultivation opportunities.
Donor Engagement: Maintain an active portfolio of institutional and individual donor prospects, ensuring a high level of donor engagement and satisfaction. Ensure a consistent moves management program is in place to engage donors and deepen relationships.
Team Leadership: Oversee and work with the Development Team to enhance the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors. Provide leadership and support professional development for the Development Team.
Fundraising Strategy: Develop and implement strategies to increase donor engagement and giving, including direct mail campaigns, online giving, donor cultivation events, memberships, donor benefit packages, and monthly giving programs. Quickly understand and articulate the mission and values of DCT and communicate the need for support for specific projects and ongoing operations.
Special Events: Manage all fundraising events, including the annual gala, donor engagement activities, and receptions.
Communication: Support consistent donor messaging in all internal and external communications. Work closely with the Marketing Team to ensure coordinated messaging for donors.
Financial Stewardship: Work with the Finance Department to ensure proper stewardship of donor gifts and ensure funds are used in accordance with donor intentions.
Reporting and Administration: Prepare regular reports on fundraising progress and benchmarks, and identify key performance indicators for leadership. Manage administrative tasks associated with the role.
Additional Responsibilities: Assist with additional or special projects, tasks, or duties beyond what is outlined here that may be assigned as required.
Skills and Qualifications
- 5-7 years of experience in non-profit fundraising; arts experience is a plus.
- Expert user of CRM, wealth screening, MS Office Suite, and Google Workspace tools.
- Proficient with online fundraising platforms and social media tools.
- Excellent communication skills - verbal, written, and presentation.
- Excellent interpersonal skills - a team player with strong emotional intelligence able to work with people throughout the organization.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience managing and supporting major fundraising events.
- A self-motivator, eager to learn and grow.
- Willing to work outside regular business hours when necessary.
To apply, email resume along with a cover letter that includes the following information: proudest achievement professionally, most challenging assignment, specific experience relevant to this position and salary range expectation to: staff.openings@dct.org
General Maintenance Technician
For over 35 years, Dallas Children's Theater (DCT) has been astonishing kids and families with the fun of Broadway–like plays and a lot more! Named by Time magazine as one of the top 5 children's theaters in the country, DCT is DFW's only theater center committed to bringing literature to life for children year round. Each year, DCT's devoted cast of professional artists and others expose more than 190,000 people to what is clearly one of the best educational and artistic experiences available. In addition, through hands–on workshops, substantive classroom curriculum, onstage performance, and supplemental forums for discussion around tough themes such as bullying, learning differences, eating disorders, and dating violence – to name a few—DCT provides kids and families with a safe, non–threatening environment in which to experience the performing arts and exchange important and character–building ideas at the same time.
Opportunity
Dallas Children's Theater (DCT) is seeking a motivated and responsible professional to join our team to assist with facility operations. Key responsibilities include: ensuring a safe and hazard free workplace environment; respond to minor disturbances and emergency calls; inspect property for hazards and equipment in need of repair; and assist in supervising contracted services that support daily operations. Qualified candidates will have a minimum two years of experience or equivalent education and knowledge and experience in facility maintenance. For the right qualified person, this position is a full-time position, eligible for overtime after 40 weekly hours. Flexible schedule and the ability to work nights and weekends is desirable. A part–time role is an option. DCT is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Experience
- Minimum of 2-5 years related experience.
- Physical stamina to work in either inside or outside environments, operate equipment and, handle a full shift of being active and on your feet.
- Attention to detail to ensure that all jobs are completed in an exemplary manner and any potential hazards or warning signs of problems are not overlooked.
- Ability to deal with contractors and fellow employees in a courteous and tactful manner.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to safety, teamwork and cooperation.
- Demonstrated experience with hand tools such as wrenches, hammer, screwdrivers, trowel, chisels, files and measuring instruments.
- Demonstrated mechanical aptitude including proficiency in the use of tools and equipment associated with most building repairs and maintenance activities.
- Demonstrated carpentry ability to handle basic repairs around the building utilizing power tools.
- Must have excellent problem solving skills and be adept at troubleshooting maintenance problems.
- Must have basic knowledge of major building systems (HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, lighting control, fire alarm, fire protection, security).
- Maintain a regular and reliable level of attendance and punctuality with an open availability for shifts.
- Able to multi-task and perform miscellaneous job related duties as assigned.
To apply, email resume along with a cover letter that includes the following information: background and experience that makes you an ideal candidate, and salary expectations to: staff.openings@dct.org
For a complete position description, please click here.
Dallas Children's Theater online position announcements are intended only to provide general descriptions of employment opportunities; none of the information provided for any position should be interpreted as a commitment by Dallas Children's Theater to specific terms and conditions for employment.
DCT is committed to the kind of excellence in theater arts programming that challenges and inspires young people from every race, culture, gender, social class, ability and sexual orientation to develop their unique creative talents and individual perspectives in order to contribute to a more pluralistic and peaceful world.
DCT promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of the institution, including its programming, board and staff. DCT is an equal opportunity employer.