Theater & Performing Arts Coordinator

Theater & Performing Arts Manager

Reports to: Executive Director
Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: $20-$22 per hour

This position averages approximately 15 hours per week over the course of the year, with workload varying seasonally based on productions, rehearsals, rentals, and special events. Evening and weekend availability is required.

About Allens Lane Art Center

Founded in 1953, Allens Lane Art Center (ALAC) is a multidisciplinary community arts center located in Philadelphia's Mount Airy neighborhood. Through theater, visual arts, exhibitions, classes, summer camp, and community partnerships, ALAC creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the arts in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Position Summary

The Theater & Performing Arts Manager is responsible for the programming, operation, and stewardship of ALAC's theater and performing arts program. This hands-on, primarily self-directed position combines performing arts programming, production and technical management, theater rentals, facility oversight, and community engagement.

Working closely with the Executive Director, the Manager develops a diverse calendar of performances, builds relationships with artists and arts organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, manages productions and rentals, and ensures that the theater remains a safe, organized, welcoming, and fully operational performance venue.

As the primary staff member responsible for the theater, the Manager must be equally comfortable booking performers, operating lighting and sound equipment, supporting rehearsals and performances, troubleshooting technical issues, managing the physical theater, and building relationships within the regional performing arts community.

Essential Responsibilities

Programming & Community Engagement

Develop and recommend an annual calendar of theater and performing arts programming in collaboration with the Executive Director, including theater, live music, dance, comedy, spoken word, family programming, multimedia performance, and other live events.

Cultivate relationships with directors, playwrights, musicians, performers, producers, presenters, schools, universities, arts organizations, and community partners throughout Greater Philadelphia.

Recruit artists and organizations to perform at ALAC and identify opportunities for partnerships, co-productions, festivals, residencies, and collaborative programming.

Coordinate calls for artistic submissions and review proposals in consultation with the Executive Director.

Develop programming that reflects ALAC's mission, expands the range of artists and audiences represented, and strengthens ALAC's presence within the regional performing arts community.

Actively seek opportunities to increase earned revenue through expanded programming, partnerships, and theater rentals.

Production & Technical Operations

Manage productions and performing arts events from initial planning through rehearsal, performance, and strike, serving as the primary contact for artists and production personnel.

Coordinate production schedules, artist communications, contracts, technical requirements, and performance logistics.

Attend rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals as necessary to ensure production readiness and a safe, collaborative working environment.

Provide direct technical support for productions, rentals, and events, including programming and operating theatrical lighting, sound systems, QLab or comparable software, microphones, mixers, projection, and audiovisual equipment.

Hang, connect, focus, and safely operate theatrical lighting and other technical equipment; build and run lighting and sound cues; and troubleshoot technical problems.

Serve as board operator, stage manager, show runner, House Manager, or technical coordinator as needed.

Lead or assist with scenic construction, installation, painting, strike, and storage.

Maintain theatrical equipment, tools, props, scenery, and technical supplies and recommend needed repairs, replacements, and upgrades.

Request approval for additional production or technical personnel when specialized assistance is necessary.

Theater Operations, Rentals & Front of House

Serve as the primary steward of the physical theater, stage, backstage areas, technical booth, storage spaces, equipment, and related facilities.

Maintain the theater as a safe, clean, organized, and performance-ready venue and ensure spaces are properly restored following productions, rentals, and events.

Coordinate seating, staging, furniture, equipment, and room configurations.

Open and close the building for theater activities when another designated staff member is not present.

Monitor facility and equipment conditions and communicate maintenance, safety, repair, and capital needs to the Director of Operations.

Oversee theater rentals in coordination with the Director of Operations, including prospective renter tours, assessment of technical needs, event setup, technical support, and compliance with ALAC policies.

Promote the theater as a rental venue and help develop relationships that increase use of the facility.

Coordinate front-of-house operations, including box office coverage, ushers, concessions, and other theater volunteers.

Serve as a welcoming and professional representative of ALAC to artists, renters, volunteers, audiences, and community partners.

Marketing & Administration

Collaborate with Communications staff to develop performance descriptions, artist information, calls for submissions, playbills, programs, and promotional materials.

Use professional and community networks to promote programming, rentals, and audience development.

Maintain organized production, rental, artist, contract, schedule, volunteer, and technical records.

Ensure artists and production personnel complete required contracts and W-9 forms and submit required payment documentation to the Director of Operations.

Assist the Executive Director with development and monitoring of the annual theater and performing arts budget and ensure expenditures remain within approved budgets.

Track attendance, rentals, program activity, and other information needed for planning and evaluation.

Support fundraising, sponsorship, membership, and grant opportunities related to performing arts programming.

Participate in staff meetings and collaborate with other ALAC staff to coordinate theater activities with classes, exhibitions, events, and facility use.

Qualifications

Required: At least three years of relevant experience in theater management, technical theater, production or stage management, venue operations, or performing arts administration; demonstrated experience coordinating live performances; working knowledge of theatrical lighting, sound, projection, microphones, mixers, and QLab or comparable software; ability to independently operate and troubleshoot theatrical systems; strong organizational, communication, and project-management skills; and the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities. Evening and weekend availability is required.

Preferred: Established relationships within the Greater Philadelphia theater, music, or performing arts community; experience booking performers or producing multidisciplinary live events; theater or venue management and rental experience; volunteer supervision; scenic construction and installation experience; and experience working in a nonprofit or community-based arts organization.

Physical Requirements

The position requires the ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 30 pounds; move theatrical equipment, scenery, props, tables, chairs, and supplies; climb ladders and work at moderate heights; safely use hand and power tools; and move throughout stage, backstage, technical, and storage areas during rehearsals, performances, and events.

Equal Opportunity

Allens Lane Art Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, or marital status in any of its activities or operations.