Jobs at Queens Theatre

BACKGROUND
Founded in 1989, Queens Theatre is a leading nonprofit performing arts center serving 2.4 million residents of Queens and its surrounding areas. The organization presents world-class performances and offers education programs for all ages. Its mission is to provide inclusive, exceptional arts programming that fosters shared experiences across diverse communities. From theater and dance to special events and new play development, Queens Theatre showcases both local and international artists. 

Located in a historic building in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens Theatre is a cultural anchor. Its three performance spaces include the 472-seat Claire Shulman Theater, a 90-seat black box Studio Theater, and a flexible 60-seat Cabaret space. 

Queens Theatre is entering a new era. Planned capital projects will modernize its mainstage, and a new Welcome & Access Office will enhance public awareness of its accessibility services. 

Select Artistic Programming Highlights

• Theatre For All (TFA)
  Launched in 2017, this initiative champions Disability inclusion in the performing arts through programs like professional training for Deaf/Disabled actors, new works by Disabled playwrights, and the multi-disciplinary Forward Festival of the Arts (2022). 
• New American Voices (NAV)
  For 24 years, this series has supported the development of over 200 new plays, amplifying diverse stories and voices. One recent example is Chicken & Biscuits by Douglas Lyons, which premiered at Queens Theatre in 2020, moved to Broadway in 2021 and continues to be widely produced. 
• Latin Dance and Culture Fiesta (LDCF)
  A vibrant, multi-day celebration of Latin American heritage featuring theater, dance, and music performances, is a seasonal highlight. 
• World-Class Performances
  Queens Theatre has hosted renowned companies like MOMIX, Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, Dorrance Dance, Omnium Circus, and Yamato – The Drummers of Japan, as well as iconic performers like Charo and Flora Martínez. It also works with local artists/companies such as Queensboro Dance Festival, Titan Theatre Company, and Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. 

Poised to build on its rich legacy, Queens Theatre is charting an ambitious path forward, cementing its role as a vital cultural hub and theater. 

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The newly created Director of Programming will increase the quantity and dynamism of the performances onstage and performance programs beyond the stage, compelling new audiences through the theater’s doors. While QT is proud of its rich programming and meaningful initiatives, it is an exciting moment to explore and develop an ambitious yet pragmatic vision for the future.

Key responsibilities include building partnerships with artists and organizations, identifying programming opportunities, and stewarding projects through execution. The Director of Programming will also work closely with staff across departments, supporting those with curatorial roles, and serving as an ambassador for the theater across various communities and sectors. The Director of Programming will approach their leadership role as an act of service and facilitation. They will be a supportive, positive, and nurturing colleague and an effective representative of Queens Theatre’s values and work in a range of settings. 

The Director of Programming, reporting to the Executive Director, will collaborate with staff, guest artists, and partners to plan and deliver Queens Theatre's artistic and community programming. Balancing the annual programming with Queens Theatre’s mission, values, and an understanding of Queens' diverse communities, the Director of Programming will help shape a programming vision that includes theater (including QT-produced and/or developed works), dance, shows for young audiences, special events, and more.

In collaboration with the Executive Director and production team, the Director of Programming will develop a season that aligns with the annual programming budget, ensuring smooth execution of the season. Additionally, they will engage in marketing and audience development to maintain programming relevance and connect with Queens Theatre's broad audience base. The Director of Programming will be invested in the health and growth of the organization, welcoming opportunities to share their artistic vision with philanthropic leaders and stakeholders. They will work with the Development Manager to secure program resources by contributing to grant applications, gathering artist statements, and identifying project-funder alignments.

DIRECT REPORTS

• Director of New Play Development
• Communications Staff and Consultants

KEY TASKS

• Lead the annual program planning process with the Executive Director and programming staff to develop and book seasonal programming.
• Develop the annual programming budget with the Executive Director and department heads.
• Build relationships with QT’s core communities and audiences that inform programming decisions.
• Build partnerships and seek opportunities for collaboration with other arts and community organizations.
• Coordinate with production and programming teams for in-house performances.
• Provide artistic oversight and support for QT-produced theater productions.
• Act as an ambassador for QT in local and broader artistic communities.
• Troubleshoot programming issues to ensure effective planning, sufficient resources, and good communication.
• Guide marketing efforts by advising on programming content and target audiences.
• Collaborate with the fundraising team to supply information for grants and funder reports.
• Evaluate programming impact on an ongoing basis.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• The successful candidate will have experience working in the performing arts, an animating belief that arts are for everyone and a commitment to meaningful connections with audiences. 
• The Director of Programming will be passionate about Queens Theatre’s mission and legacy, committed to its high standards of excellence and diversity, and forward-looking about its potential.
• They will have outstanding interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, as well as flexibility, creativity, tenacity, integrity, discretion, compassion, and good humor.
• They’ll have deep curiosity about diversity and intersectionality and demonstrated experience in advancing access, diversity, equity, anti-racism, and inclusion.
• They’ll have both artistic insight and appreciation coupled with pragmatism and the ability to maximize resources.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant managerial or leadership experience within a producing theater and/or presenting arts center, with a demonstrated record of success.
• Robust and diverse professional networks that will attract, support, and enable compelling programming.
• Multilingual.
• Experience living in and/or working in Queens. 

LOCATION/HOURS/SALARY

This is a full-time position, salaried at $80,000 annually. Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefit package, pension plan, and 401k are available after three months employment. Though there is flexibility of schedule and staff members are permitted up to two remote workdays per week (policy as of 11/20/24), the majority of working hours will be at the theater or at events. Evenings and weekends are sometimes required.

APPLY

Application deadline: 12/31/2024

Send a cover letter and resume to jobs@queenstheatre.org. Subject line should read FirstName LastName - Director of Programming

Queens Theatre continually seeks dynamic, highly skilled, creative teaching artists in the fields of Theatre, Dance and Music for Part Time/Seasonal Employment.   

Queens Theatre (QT) is one of the oldest performing arts venues in Queens.  The QT Education Department (QTEd) strives to create learning opportunities through theatre, dance and music that will engage students across cultures in the transformative experience of participating in the performing arts. Creating original material with participants is the core of QTEd’s practice.

QTEd seeks teaching artists year round for a variety of programs ranging from our after-school play-making program, our storytelling senior citizen program, and Show Stoppers, our Summer Musical Theatre program for kids.

Qualifications
Required:

• Skills/training and professional experience in creating and teaching musical theatre.
• Experience teaching the performing arts in New York City public schools.
• Experience working with diverse populations and a range of grade levels.
• Experience in developing curriculum and lesson planning.
• On-going commitment and availability for expanding teaching skills through professional development, cooperative curriculum planning, reflection and feedback.

Desired:

• Able to teach in languages other than English. (Spanish fluency a plus)
• Experience in developing Play-Making curriculum.
• Experience teaching with various populations, e.g. early childhood, students with disabilities, English Language Learners, senior citizens, etc.
• Knowledge of and experience in working with the Common Core State Standards.
• Experience teaching after-school, in-school, site specific and/or summer camp programs.
• College Degree

It is essential to QT’s mission that our teaching staff reflect the diversity of our home borough. We encourage applicants of all races, ethnicities and abilities to apply.

To apply, please submit

1. A resume demonstrating training and experience as both a performing artist and a teacher.
2.  A residency outline or lesson plan for a workshop in a discipline of theatre, dance or music. (A lesson plan for play-making a plus)

to teach@queenstheatre.org

Part-time/Seasonal position; competitive wages

Queens Theatre continually seeks dynamic, highly skilled, creative teaching artists in the fields of Theatre, Dance and Music for Part Time/Seasonal Employment.  

Queens Theatre (QT) is one of the oldest performing arts venues in Queens.  The QT Education Department (QTEd) strives to create learning opportunities through theatre, dance and music that will engage students across cultures in the transformative experience of participating in the performing arts. Creating original material with participants is the core of QTEd’s practice.

Currently, QTEd seeks musical directors to work with our after-school play-making program and our storytelling senior citizen program.

Qualifications
Required:

• Skills/training and professional experience in creating and teaching musical theatre.
• Piano playing skills.
• Experience teaching the performing arts in New York City public schools.
• Experience working with diverse populations and a range of grade levels
• Experience in developing curriculum and lesson planning.
• On-going commitment and availability for expanding teaching skills through professional development, cooperative curriculum planning, reflection and feedback.

Desired:

• Experience teaching in after school programs and day camp summer programs.
• Able to teach in languages other than English.
• Experience teaching with various populations, e.g., Early Childhood, Senior Citizens, English Language Learners, People with Disabilities, etc.
• Multi-disciplined musicians preferred.
• College degree.

Required Application Materials

1. A resume demonstrating training and experience as both a performing artist and a teacher.
2. A residency outline or lesson plan for a workshop in a discipline of theatre, dance or music. (A lesson plan for song writing a plus)

   Optional: QT will also accept an additional work sample to demonstrate teaching artist work in a Pre-K-12 classroom.

Application Deadline: Rolling

To apply, email the above listed application materials to teach@queenstheatre.org

Part-time/Seasonal position; competitive wages; EOE

Queens Theatre continually seeks dynamic, highly skilled theater technicians to join our production running crew overhire roster in all departments - lighting, sound, wardrobe, carpentry, deck hands, projection, etc.

Queens Theatre (QT) is one of the oldest performing arts venues in Queens, and presents hundreds of public events per year - presented and produced institutional programming, resident theatre and dance companies, and a busy schedule of rental events throughout the year.

Please submit your resume to jobs@queenstheatre.org and please include any relevant special skills and certifications, including FDNY Certificates of Fitness.