Associate Producer - Web jobs in Oakland, CA

Classification: Full-time, exempt; benefits eligible after 90 days
Department: Artistic
Reports to: Artistic Director
Work schedule: Monday–Friday with some evenings and weekends
Compensation: $120,000–$125,000; DOE
Posting date: January 2024

Position summary

Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Berkeley Rep) has grown from a storefront stage to an international leader in innovative theatre. Known for its ambition, relevance, and excellence, as well as its adventurous audience, the nonprofit has provided a welcoming home for emerging and established artists since 1968. Over 5.5 million people have enjoyed nearly 500 shows at Berkeley Rep, which have gone on to win six Tony Awards, seven Obie Awards, nine Drama Desk Awards, one Grammy Award, one Pulitzer Prize, and many other honors.

Berkeley Rep seeks a highly motivated, deeply collaborative, rigorous, compassionate, and curious individual for the new position of Associate Producer — New Work, a senior level position, reporting to the artistic director.

Essential duties and responsibilities

The associate producer will:

• Have primary responsibility in collaboration with the artistic director and associate artistic director, for The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep’s Center for the Creation and Development of New Work, including the Ground Floor Summer Residency Lab.
• Lead the producing of the Summer Residency Lab, in collaboration with artistic director, associate artistic director, artistic associate, and general management associate, along with seasonally-hired staff, including project selection, budgeting, hiring and supervision of Lab-specific staff, and participation in creative, responsive feedback to further the work of the lead artists.
• Have a significant voice in season planning and work closely with the artistic director on play selection, selection of directors, designers, and other members of creative teams, including casting.
• Work with the artistic director on the ongoing creation of Berkeley Rep’s slate of commissions including support of commissioned works, creating bespoke developmental trajectories for the various projects, providing creative guidance and logistical and dramaturgical support, and coordination with the general manager regarding contracting and progress of writers during commission period.
• Collaborate with the artistic director and other members of the artistic team in all producing activities including the mainstage season, readings, and workshops, as well as the curation and producing of special events throughout the year.
• Develop and maintain relationships with writers, directors, designers, composers, choreographers, agents, and other industry professionals locally and nationally.
• Contribute to the contextualization of the productions for the audience, through the writing of program pieces, and the creation of other dramaturgical materials including lobby displays.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and rigorous work environment/culture.

Other activities may include providing mentorship and guidance to artistic staff and fellows, engagement with trustees and board committees, collaboration with marketing and development departments for long-term strategy and content-creation as it relates to the public-facing representation of Berkeley Rep, and special projects as needed.

Please note that this is not a directing position, nor a literary management position — this is an opportunity for a great creative producer with a demonstrated passion for new work to be part of a small and dynamic artistic staff engaged in all aspects of Berkeley Rep’s artistic life.

Qualifications and skills

Qualified applicants will have significant experience as a theatre producer, expertise in dramaturgy and the development of new work, support of the artistic process from an aesthetic and logistical standpoint for both mainstage and developmental work, and an interest in arts leadership. The associate producer should care deeply about fostering collaboration between artists, between artist and audience, and amongst colleagues. The associate producer should be a self-starter able to work independently and collaboratively, with a deep commitment to the creation of new artistic work.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in professional theatre as a producer and/or artistic administrator.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in and commitment to the development of new work.
• Significant dramaturgical experience, and capacity to collaborate with writers and directors with generosity, rigor, and curiosity to help them realize their vision for their work.
• Interest in and commitment to equity, diversity, access, and inclusion work and the representation of diverse voices onstage and in all areas of the company.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high degree of emotional intelligence and cultural competency.
• Demonstrated skill in working collaboratively with colleagues.
• Ability to problem-solve and negotiate with diplomacy.
• Broad knowledge of contemporary American playwriting, playwrights, and directors.
• Existing relationships with a wide range of artists, including those who may be new to Berkeley Rep, plus ability to identify and nurture new artistic relationships for the organization.
• Appetite for immersion in all aspects and structures of a large-scale regional theatre.
• Ability to serve as a representative of Berkeley Rep in the community and to the field.

Application procedure

Berkeley Rep is an equal opportunity employer and offers a full range of employee benefits including 85% employer-paid health and dental insurance, optional vision, FSA, and 403(b) plans, professional development support, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

Position available immediately. Email submissions only. Please submit a cover letter and résumé to jobs@berkeleyrep.org with “Associate Producer — New Work” in the subject line. Persons from diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to .

Berkeley Rep will contact candidates of interest. Please, no calls or faxes. Only complete submissions will be considered.