Alberta Playwrights’ Network has received funding from the Canada Council for the Arts
to carry out a 12-month survey of the theatre sector with a specific focus on the ecology
of new play development, submissions, programming, and the challenges encountered
in each. The project will culminate in the compilation of a report that will be made
available for study through Alberta Playwrights’ Network. We are seeking a part-time,
Calgary-based employee (20 hours/week) for the period of June 1, 2019 to May 31,
2020 (with a possible extension) to carry out this work.
Our goal is to understand the rationale behind policies used by theatre companies
regarding: new play submissions; new play commissions; selection of scripts for
development/production; submission guidelines/policies; organizational challenges
faced by their company; funding sources for new play programs; measuring the desire
to program new work versus the risk involved; how to make the development and
support of new plays more viable or interesting to an organization; whether there is
interest in a back catalogue of Canadian writers.
Job Description
Working with the Executive Director, Trevor Rueger, the selected candidate will
research producing theatres across the country, and create questions and discussion
points based on the topics to be addressed. During this time, the candidate will also
create an online survey for distribution to members of the Playwright’s Guild of Canada
and Play Development Centers from across Canada. These answers compiled in the
survey will create a portion of the discussion points for other organizations. Other
responsibilities may include hosting focus groups and managing a team of volunteers to
assist in the research.
Core Competencies
- An interest in research, research techniques, and methodology
- Data collection, analysis, and synthesis
- Excellent communicator, writer and speaker
- Must be comfortable making cold calls
- A basic understanding of playwriting, dramaturgy, & Canadian Theatre
- A basic understanding of municipal, provincial, and federal funding bodies including Playwright’s Guild of Canada, Professional Association of Canadian Theatres, Canadian Actors’ Equity Association
- Self-motivated; works well both individually and as a member of a team
To apply, please send a cover letter and a CV with related experience to Executive
Director, Trevor Rueger – trevor@albertaplaywrights.com
Applications will be accepted until May 20th, 2019 at 11:59 pm.
