Managing Director | Stages
, TX, United States
Stages makes plays and tells stories that invite everyone to live more deeply and love more boldly. The theater produces a broad scope of new and revived plays and musicals including off-Broadway fare, world premieres, new works by emerging writers, jukebox musicals (“ Always, Patsy Cline ” was born at Stages), zany comedies and family entertainment including an annual holiday Panto. With every endeavor, Stages centers its identity around the people that write, build, act, and gather to make theater possible, hence its motto: “People Make Theater."
Stages was founded in 1978 and has grown to become Houston’s sixth largest nonprofit performing arts producer and the largest outside of the city’s downtown theater district. The theater is one of the region’s leading artistic employers, producing up to 12 productions per year, representing hundreds of performances, and welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each season. The company’s focus is on producing a broad scope of plays and musicals in an intimate setting. It has generated critical acclaim and created a devoted community of audiences and artists who share a true sense of engagement, inclusion, and connection.
Stages productions are brought to life by an exceptional community of locally based artists and craftspeople along with occasional guest directors, actors, and designers. There is an emphasis on emerging talent, on and off stage, inspiring patrons and benefiting the community as Stages alumni serve in professional and volunteer capacities at almost every other theater and performing arts organization in Houston.
In 2015, Stages set out a bold vision for the future. The “Staging Our Future” capital campaign created an expanded campus strategy and established a vibrant new cultural district for Houston in a thriving, centrally located neighborhood. At the heart of this transformational effort is The Gordy, a $35.4 million three-theater home. At 66,850 square feet, this landmark facility ushered in a new era for Stages, transforming how Houston artists and audiences experience theater and community.
MISSION, VALUES, & COMMITMENT TO ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY
Stages is a deeply values-driven institution. These words are on the wall of The Gordy, Stages’ new home: “ We sit together in the dark to know how to love each other in the light .” The people of Stages endeavor to frame every decision through its mission and values:
Mission
Stages makes plays and tells stories that invite everyone to live more deeply and love more boldly. We hold up a mirror to our community in order to crack open the question: “What does it mean to be human?”
Values
Courage, Intimacy, Generosity, Inclusion, and Tenacity
Education & Community Engagement
Stages’ commitment to its community is broad and deep. These programs include the following:
Young Artists Conservatory. Middle and high school students work together to develop their own fully-realized productions, including technology, production, and design.
Student Matinee, Sensory-Friendly, & American Sign Language Interpreted Performances.
Mentor/Mentee Program. Provides a paid, hands-on learning opportunity for BIPOC, trans, and other traditionally marginalized people early in their careers.
Production Apprenticeships. An internship program that welcomes high school and college students for 8-10 weeks in the summer for hands-on training in technical theater.
Sin Muros ( Without Walls ) Borderless Teatro Festival. A celebration of Latinx voices from Texas communities that are typically underrepresented in American theater.
Sunday Sit-downs and Community Conversations.Offers post-performance discussions and behind-the-scenes events with writers, directors, actors, and designers.
The Houston Theater Training Coalition. An initiative that brings together the Houston theater community in the shared interest of building and uplifting early career theater makers.
The Holiday Night Market. Annual event on the Stages lawn that features BIPOC businesses and turns The Gordy into a hub where the community can gather for live entertainment, shopping, and food.
Student Art Competition. Held annually and driven by the theme of a Stages’ production, these student art competitions come with a cash prize and build the audacity to pursue art as a career in students from 6th - 12th grade.
Educators Open House. Stages invites educators to enjoy wine, nibbles, and a show. Using The Gordy as an alternative space for conversation that cannot be had on their school campuses, Educators Open Houses often feature panel discussions or arts salons that encourage expression of ideas and thoughts from educators.
Stages is a welcoming, collaborative culture that encourages each staff member to take initiative, share ideas and help shape the organization. Additional information may be found on their website here .
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AT STAGES
Stages is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and is committed to creating and maintaining a safe creative environment for staff, artists and the Stages community. The people who work at Stages know that through discussion and expression they can continue to promote change in a positive direction. They believe that diversity on and off stage is important. Stages is committed to bridging cultural gaps and creating an inclusive environment for all. It is the intent of everyone involved in this process to provide equal opportunities to all who may apply. Stages welcomes every race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic makeup, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status and thinking style.
LEADERSHIP
Kenn McLaughlin, Artistic Director. The 2023-24 season marks Kenn McLaughlin’s 18th year as Stages’ artistic leader, which was preceded by five successful years as the theater’s Managing Director. Kenn has produced well over 100 productions and has directed over 30 shows during his tenure. Earlier this season, Kenn announced that he will leave Stages in June 2024, thus creating this remarkable opportunity. Kenn’s full bio may be found here .
David Schmitz, Interim Managing Director. David is the lead advisor for Amplify Leadership Advisors, a consulting firm focused on creating success stories for arts organizations by providing interim Executive Director services, management coaching/thought partnership, and project execution that strategically evolves arts organizations in changing times. Previously, David served as Executive Director with Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Steppenwolf Theatre Company. His full bio may be found here .
Board of Directors. Stages is governed by a deeply committed and active Board composed of 28 members, including business leaders, community volunteers, artists, attorneys, physicians, accountants, and journalists.
CURRENT ENVIRONMENT
Stages currently operates on an annual budget of $6.4 million with an income ratio of approximately 40% earned / 60% contributed. There are nine productions in the current season with nine planned for 2024-25. Stages’ new home consists of three performance spaces, all designed with an intimacy between artists and audiences:
Sterling Stage, a thrust stage with 251 seats;
Smith Stage, an arena configuration with 223 seats; and,
Levit Stage, the most intimate space, highly configurable, with up to 135 seats.
There are 38 full-time employees and 12 part-time and seasonal employees. Stages operates under the Actors Equity SPT (Small Professional Theatre) agreement.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
The next Managing Director will join the organization at a pivotal time. There are significant assets at Stages, built over its 45-year history, not least of which is The Gordy, Stages’ new home. Among the opportunities for the next Managing Director are these:
Building on Stages’ history and its prominent place in Houston’s performing community.
Exploring all that The Gordy – Stages’ new home – is capable of both as an artistic and a community asset.
Finding new and expanded partnerships that will enhance Stages’ place in the Houston arts community.
Building and nurturing Stages’ strong philanthropic relationships post-capital campaign.
A strong and vibrant staff culture that is people first and embraces EDI with vigor and depth.
Partnering with a new Artistic Director who will begin their tenure within days or weeks of the new Managing Director.
Along with these opportunities, there are challenges the next Managing Director must embrace in concert with the senior team and Board, including:
In its expanded and more expensive home, finding the right balance of programming, partnerships, rentals and other activities to maximize productivity and revenue.
Working closely with the new Artistic Director to find and expand new sources of revenue, with a particular focus on audience development as well as other opportunities provided by The Gordy (e.g., rentals, resident organizations, conferences).
Providing steady and collaborative leadership at a time when all producing companies are seeking balance between ambition and human and financial resources.
Engaging with senior leadership and Board to ensure the financial model is balanced (there is a planned deficit for the 2023-24 season, but the 2024-25 season is projected to be at breakeven).
The business model and mission of Stages relies on Houston-based and often emerging talent. This is a meaningful part of the Stages mission and requires commitment, stewardship and mentorship from Stages’ leadership.
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Houston is one of the most vibrant cities in the United States and is the nation’s fourth largest, with a population of over two million and growing; the metro area has a population of over six million. The Bayou City – the nickname comes from its ten winding waterways – has a storied history as a boomtown as well as being a hub of commerce, arts and culture. If it were an independent country, Houston’s economy would be the 30th largest in the world. Other than New York, no U.S. city has more Fortune 500 companies. Nonetheless, cost of living is low when compared with other major metropolitan areas – 8.3% below the national average. Other major arts institutions include Houston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Grand Opera, The Alley Theatre, The Museum of Fine Arts, and The Menil Collection. These and over 500 other arts and cultural organizations have thrived in this city, driven in large part by the extraordinary philanthropy and philanthropists that make the city unique. Houston is a restaurant town and its residents eat out more than any other city in the country. It is also one of the youngest cities in the U.S. and its population is among the most diverse in the country, with over 145 languages spoken. Find more information on Houston here: https://www.visithoustontexas.com/
POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting. The Managing Director co-leads the company in partnership with the Artistic Director and reports directly to Stages’ Board of Directors. The Managing Director will serve as a clear and present leader in all actions, thoughts, and deeds. The key priorities of the position include the following:
Organizational Strategy
In concert with the Artistic Director and Board, set and execute organizational strategies that will lead Stages to accomplish its key goals and objectives.
Steward important relationships that are meaningful to Stages, including staff, trustees, donors, audiences, and colleagues.
Oversee all revenue streams, including box office, development, concessions, parking, rentals, and other income sources.
Drive the organization toward transformational growth of audiences including continued expansion of subscription and single ticket audiences, as well as increased diversity to reflect the community demographics of Houston.
Explore ways to use Stages’ spaces as a community asset, focusing on enhancing revenue.
Strategically lead fiscal planning and management.
Develop pathways to connect all of Stage’s programming to its education and community outreach efforts.
Form a strong and complementary relationship with Stages’ Artistic Director and Board.
Be the primary collaborator with the Board President in managing the activities and initiatives of the Board.
Be a primary participant in fundraising efforts across all areas of giving with individuals, institutions, and special events.
Manage, mentor, and lead the administrative team with respect for individuals, empathy, and humanity.
Take ownership of the health and well-being of the institution and its people, ensuring that organizational ambition is balanced with financial and staffing capacity.
Work with the Board and Artistic Director to advance Stages’ mission and values.
Lead by example, setting the standard for hard work, integrity, empathy, and collaboration.
Community Engagement
Work collaboratively to support the education and community engagement team to strengthen and expand Stages’ relationships across Houston.
Take on the role of a leading cultural figure in Houston with dignity and energy.
Be a fully committed and honest thought leader around all issues related to EDI and access.
Be a real community member: a neighbor, citizen, and friend to others.
Explore new ways to always introduce Stages as a community gathering place, bringing thought leadership on how cultural institutions can commit to people above all.
QUALIFICATIONS
About You
You are goal oriented, independently driven, and passionate about building relationships. You’re equally comfortable spending hours on spreadsheets, attending a wine dinner with donors, and greeting artists at rehearsal. You love being in a theater, a boardroom and a community gathering. You have a vision for the future of the industry, and an idea of where Stages fits into it. You get things done, thrive in a team setting and are expert at building and enhancing teams. You see the role of a leader as one of service, guiding your team and all at Stages to their greatest potential. You are a deeply committed and passionate advocate for performing arts and understand to your core the importance of creating community. You are passionate about the people you work with and the people you produce theater for. You are deeply experienced with budgets, marketing strategies and fundraising best practices, but are constantly striving to raise the bar. You are eager to build relationships and collaborate with the Artistic Director and the board. You are driven to support staff in their endeavors. You are invested in creating spaces that advance the tenants of EDI. You’re curious about the artistic process and work to support artists in their endeavors.
While no single individual will likely possess all of these qualifications, the Search Committee will make their evaluation on the following criteria:
A desire to be fully engaged in this city and drive to build a vibrant cultural institution, fully rooted in Houston’s communities.
Commitment to centering the humanity of the people who work for and engage with the theater.
The ability to establish a collaborative relationship with the Artistic Director and Board to develop and achieve mutually agreed objectives.
An ability to balance “big picture” strategy with the leadership of day-to-day operations.
Strong experience in the economics of arts organizations and the ramifications of artistic and budgetary decisions, as well as the ability to align them strategically.
Strong entrepreneurial skills with demonstrated success in both earned and contributed revenue strategies. Experience with growing audiences (despite national trends) will be advantageous.
Experience with asset management (finances, real estate, production portfolio) preferred.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, retain and lead a diverse team focused on long-term objectives.
A team-centered, transparent and inclusive leadership style, along with an eagerness to engage with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
A demonstrable commitment to EDI and a desire to create an inclusive environment in this vibrant, highly diverse city.
Although experience in nonprofit theater is not a prerequisite, possessing a keen understanding of how the dynamics of producing in a regional theater is important.
The ability to build relationships with major donors and community leaders.
COMPENSATION AND START DATE
The annual salary range for the Managing Director role at Stages starts at $165,000 and includes a full benefit package commensurate with other organizations of its size, including:
Medical/dental/life/disability/vision insurance plans;
A 403(b) plan available for employee funding;
Paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, and personal days;
Limited travel budget.
The hiring decision will be made by a search committee of Stages’ board and staff members. They hope to make a final decision in Q2 of 2024, with the new Managing Director onsite as soon thereafter as possible.
David Mallette , President and Emily Knapp , Consultant make up the team from Management Consultants for the Arts leading this important search. Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit in complete confidence a cover letter, resumé, and four professional references to the consulting firm retained to conduct the search. The cover letter of no more than 1½ pages should address how the opportunities and challenges, shared in this profile, intersect with the candidate’s professional background and what about this opportunity is of greatest interest to them personally. Application materials should have the applicant’s name included as part of each file name and must be submitted electronically. Once all materials have been submitted online, the applicant will receive a confirmation of their submission via the email address provided in the application. For clarification on any of this information, please contact Christy Wall at [email protected].
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