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Home , 21st Tony Awards, Brian Yorkey, Clarence Derwent Awards, Everyday Rapture, Hayes Theater, Second Stage Theater

POSITION PROFILE – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR New York, NY

The Search

Second Stage Theater, one of New York’s leading nonprofit theatres, has initiated a search for its next Executive Director. The board intends to name the successful candidate by late Spring of 2020.

Background

Second Stage Theater was founded in 1979 to produce “second stagings” of contemporary American plays that deserved to reach a wider audience. It soon expanded its mission to produce new plays by its developing corps of writers. Over time, Second Stage’s dedication to telling essential American stories in their most exciting forms has come to include genre-bending solo performances, cutting- edge theatrical events, explosive new musicals, and world and New York premieres by America’s most esteemed playwrights.

Second Stage is committed to supporting both established and emerging artists. Commissions and artist residencies nurture playwrights, directors, designers, and actors in the creation of work that speaks to our contemporary moment. Dedicated to developing not only artists but artistic community, Second Stage builds future audiences by educating young people about the art of contemporary theater and encouraging their participation in the cultural life of .

Under the artistic direction of Carole Rothman, Second Stage produces a diverse range of premieres and new interpretations of America’s best contemporary theater, including the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner Between Riverside and Crazy by ; 2012 Pulitzer Prize winner by Quiara Alegria Hudes; 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner by and . Other note-worthy Second Stage productions have included ; ; ; By the Way, Meet Vera Stark; Trust and Lonely, I’m Not ; The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity; ; Let Me Down Easy; ; Eurydice; The Little Dog Laughed; ; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Jar the Floor; Uncommon Women and Others; Crowns; Saturday; Afterbirth: Kathy & Mo’s Greatest Hits; ; Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants; Coastal Disturbances; A Soldier’s Play ; Little Murders; The Good Times Are Killing Me; and .

Second Stage’s more than 130 citations include 2017 for Dear Evan Hansen; 2009 Tony Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Musical (, Next to Normal) and Best Score and Best Orchestrations (Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, Next to Normal); the 2007 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (, The Little Dog Laughed); the 2005 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (Rachel Sheinkin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Dan Fogler, …Spelling Bee); the 2002 Tony Award for Best Director of a Play (Mary

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Zimmerman, Metamorphoses); the 2002 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Body of Work, 29 Obie Awards, 8 Outer Critics Circle Awards, two , 13 Drama Desk Awards, 9 Theater World Awards, 20 , the Drama Critics Circle Award and 23 AUDELCO Awards.

In 1999, Second Stage Theater opened its 296-seat theater at 43rd Street, designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. The Second Stage Theater Uptown series was inaugurated in 2002 to showcase the work of emerging artists at the McGinn/Cazale Theater at 76th Street; productions have included The Mystery Plays by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Spanish Girl by Hunt Holman, The Triple Happiness by Brooke Berman, Swimming in the Shallows by Adam Bock, Animals Out of Paper by , Bachelorette by Leslye Headland, Warrior Class by Kenneth Lin, and Murder For Two by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair.

In 2011 the 43rd Street Theater was named after long-time Chairman of the Board, Anthony C.M. Kiser, and became "The Tony Kiser Theater."

In 2015, Second Stage purchased the historic Theater on . With this new home, Second Stage became the only theater on Broadway dedicated exclusively to developing and producing works by living American playwrights.

The Mission

Second Stage Theater produces work entirely by 21st century American playwrights both on and off Broadway. Dedicated to adventurous contemporary plays and musicals, bold new interpretations, and unique theatrical experiences, the work at Second Stage reflects diversity and inclusiveness. Through the discovery of emerging talent and the commissioning of new work, Second Stage nurtures future generations of theater artists and welcomes a theatergoing audience of all backgrounds.

Second Stage’s next Executive Director will be an individual who shares this deep commitment to celebrating the work of 21st Century American playwrights and who is continuously focused on strengthening the company’s financial, organizational and volunteer resources in service to that mission. The Executive Director will assume a strong public profile on behalf of Second Stage and be a principal advocate for the importance of Second Stage’s mission as a unique and essential piece of the American theatre ecology.

The Opportunity

Second Stage offers an exceptional administrative and organizational leader the rare opportunity to work in concert with a committed board and staff in leading one of the most respected and accomplished theatres in the nation. The Executive Director will report to the Board of Trustees and partner with President/Artistic Director, Carole Rothman in leading Second Stage into the future.

Even with Second Stage’s many accomplishments and significant growth in recent years, ample opportunities remain for its next Executive Director to help shape the company’s future success. Second Stage’s leadership and key stakeholders have forged a clear mandate regarding the core mission and values that will provide the framework and support for the company’s next period of organizational advancement. Having opened the Helen Hayes Theatre to critical acclaim, Second

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Stage is now focused on completing the capital campaign to retire the Hayes mortgage, build a more robust annual fundraising effort and refine the company’s operating model to ensure artistic and financial success well into the future. Its next Executive Director will play a key role in leading those initiatives.

Second Stage’s next Executive Director will report to the Board of Trustees and help guide the larger vision of all activity undertaken at the company’s three venues. They will take the lead on expanding Second Stage’s fundraising efforts while developing a business model for the company that will maintain a dynamic artistic environment in keeping with Second Stage’s mission and ensures its financial sustainability and growth. They will work closely with other members of the professional leadership team and board to strengthen Second Stage’s mission delivery while developing new public and private support and earned revenue streams to ensure that Second Stage is able to continue to build upon its current offerings and success.

Qualities and Qualifications – The Search Committee is focused on identifying an accomplished administrative leader whose organizational leadership and fundraising skills have been in evidence over a significant period of time. To that end, Second Stage is seeking an Executive Director who has: • Demonstrated the ability to successfully oversee Second Stage’s administrative, financial and operational functions; • The collaborative skills and desire to successfully partner with the President/Artistic Director and work with the board, staff and key stakeholders in order to provide unified organizational leadership and direction that will lead to long-term artistic and financial health; • Extensive experience managing complex, creative organizations with demonstrated success in mission delivery, revenue generation and overall financial success; • Experience developing and leading capital campaigns and in establishing and cultivating governmental relationships that are important to Second Stage’s continued success; • A dynamic public presence that will enable the Executive Director to function as a compelling public spokesperson who inspires growing support for Second Stage’s mission and organizational goals; • A commitment to the highest levels of organizational excellence; • The ability to consistently analyze the theatre’s operational status in order to develop strategies in support of lasting artistic, organizational and financial success; • The demonstrated ability to motivate staff and form an effective team that is committed to a collaborative approach to both organizational success and sustainability; • The capability and commitment to take a leadership role in long-term strategic planning, major donor cultivation/solicitation and board development; • The interest to develop a clear understanding of Second Stage’s relationship to the community, including city and state governmental agencies, and a to continuously strengthen those relationships at all levels; • Strong skills as a community leader with the demonstrated ability to create a “sense of community” within and outside the theatre; • A desire to participate in all aspects of institutional advancement, including completion of the Hayes capital campaign and expanding annual fundraising;

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• A commitment to work with others to continuously balance artistic initiatives and risks with responsible fiscal management while maintaining the centrality of Second Stage’s mission, vision and core values.

Core Responsibilities – Among other responsibilities that may be assigned by the board as appropriate, the successful candidate will:

• Set and supervise Second Stage’s administrative, financial and operational direction; • Partner with the President/Artistic Director in defining annual season planning assumptions and assist in leading the planning process in a manner that will contribute to both artistic and financial success; • In conjunction with the President/Artistic Director, develop annual programming and budgeting assumptions, assume direct responsibility for determining realistic income and expense budgets and continuously oversee operational revenues and expenses to ensure pre- approved fiscal outcomes; • Actively engage in ongoing long-range planning processes; • Lead strategy for and personally participate in fundraising activities, including the cultivation and stewardship of major civic, organizational and individual donors; • Select and supervise administrative, financial and operational personnel; • Partner successfully with the President/Artistic Director to provide unified executive leadership; • Serve as a principal spokesperson throughout the profession and the community at large; • Collaborate/assist in developing annual financial, fundraising and marketing strategies to ensure long-term financial growth and sustainability; • Attract, cultivate and inspire financial and community support for Second Stage’s mission; • In conjunction with the President/Artistic Director, work to develop and maintain programs to increase audience growth, diversity and engagement; • Guide and oversee Second Stage’s Broadway producing activities, including serving as an active member of , participating in union relations and CBA negotiations, cultivating and maintaining productive relationships with commercial producers and developing and implementing overall strategies for the company’s long-term success in the commercial arena; • In conjunction with the board and development team, work to broaden Second Stage’s base of donor support for both operational and capital funding and actively participate in major gift solicitations; • Serve as staff liaison to the Board of Trustees and active board committees; • Participate in board development and recruitment activities, as appropriate; • Develop, nurture and refine a long-term business model that energizes staff, board, artists and the community in pursuit of Second Stage’s organizational goals.

The Board is seeking candidates with vision, passion and commitment. The search committee will look for evidence of deep professional experience and success, and the ability to attract and retain talented volunteers and professionals to serve the ongoing implementation of Second Stage’s mission within a business model designed to achieve long-term artistic and financial success.

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The successful candidate will embrace the opportunity to share their vision for Second Stage’s future and be an effective representative for both the role of theatre in contemporary culture and most particularly, the role of Second Stage within the communities it serves.

Learn more about the Second Stage’s programs and activities at www.2st.com.

Compensation

Compensation and benefits will be commensurate with the leadership role that this position represents for Second Stage Theater and within the national theatre community.

To Apply

Second Stage Theater is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of its work, and encourages applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, ability or age.

The consulting firm retained to assist in the search welcomes qualified applications. To obtain further information or apply, send letters of interest, resumes and references to:

Thomas Hall, Managing Partner Christine O’Connor, Principal AlbertHall&Associates, LLC Email submissions to: [email protected]

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