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Managing Director
Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Kansas City, Missouri
Background
Kansas City Repertory Theatre, founded in 1964, is the premier professional resident theatre company of the Kansas City metropolitan area, a cosmopolitan, arts-focused city of over two million people. During its 44-year history, there have been only four artistic leaders: recently appointed Eric Rosen, Peter Altman (who retired in July 2007), George Keathley (1985-2000) and founder Dr. Patricia McIlrath (1964-1985).
As the chairman of the University of Kansas City (now UMKC) Theatre Department, Dr. McIlrath had long dreamed of establishing a professional theater. Such an institution could expose students to the demanding standards of professional theater work and also give Kansas City a stage company of its own. In 1964, she formed the UMKC Summer Repertory Theatre. On a shoestring budget, professional actors, community players, and members of the UMKC Theatre Department worked together to produce the Summer Rep’s inaugural two-week season, attracting 1,500 hundred patrons. In the late 60s, The Rep became affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, developed an extensive touring program, and changed its name to Missouri Repertory Theatre. In 1979, the company moved into Helen F. Spencer Theatre in the newly-constructed UMKC Center for the Performing Arts. That same year marked the not-for-profit incorporation of Missouri Repertory Theatre, and from that point forward has operated under the governance of its own board of trustees. However, the Rep maintains its strong commitment to and a close relationship with UMKC and its theatre training programs. In fact, the University provides approximately $1 million of the Rep’s annual operating support in addition to in-kind provision of facilities.
Over the past decade, the Rep has grown its national profile and artistic presence. Under the artistic leadership of past Artistic Director Peter Altman, the theatre produced collaborative projects with major LORT theatres including Seattle Rep, ACT, and Hartford Stage, and fostered close relationships with major established theater artists including August Wilson, Lou Bellamy, Eric Simonson and Sharon Ott, among others. In 2004 the board approved a renaming of the company to Kansas City Repertory Theatre
(KC Rep) to reflect better its identity, location and audience and that same year a major refurbishment of Spencer Theatre was completed. In February 2007, the Rep’s longtime goal of opening a second theatre was attained with the opening of Copaken Stage, a new 315-seat downtown theatre. The Copaken is at the center of a multi-billion dollar renaissance which is transforming the city’s downtown.
More detail on The Rep and its season can be found on its website: www.kcrep.org
Artistic Leadership
Eric Rosen is a playwright, director, and dramaturg, and is the fourth artistic director in the 44-year history of Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Before taking over artistic leadership this season, he directed two of the Rep’s most critically-acclaimed productions: Mary Zimmerman’s Tony Award-winning Metamorphoses and Horton Foote’s classic The Trip to Bountiful. He is a co-founder and former artistic director of
Chicago ’s acclaimed About Face Theatre, where he developed, wrote, produced, and/or directed nearly 30 world premieres in the last thirteen years. Original plays include Winesburg, Ohio (Chicago’s Jefferson Award for best new work and a nomination for best musical, and five Barrymore Awards including best musical), Dream Boy (Jeff Award for best direction and production), and his latest work Wedding Play (recently nominated for this year’s Jeff for Best New Work), along with the musicals Whitman and Undone. Mr. Rosen directed previous productions of Clay for About Face and Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago and Center Theatre Group in L.A., and will direct the New York premiere at Lincoln Center Theater’s LCT3 in October. Mr. Rosen’s directing credits include several About Face/Steppenwolf co-productions, including the world premieres of M. Proust by Mary Zimmerman (Jeff nomination for best new play) and Theater District (Jeff Award for best new play), and the Chicago premiere of Take Me Out. As dramaturg and producer, he collaborated on Doug Wright’s play I am My Own Wife, winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize; produced the famed site specific performance Eleven Rooms of Proust created by Mary Zimmerman; and was dramaturg for Frank Galati and Stephen Flaherty’s Loving Repeating at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Moises Kaufman’s One Arm at Steppenwolf and 33 Variations at Sundance Theatre Lab. Rosen earned his Ph.D. in performance studies from Northwestern University, and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including a Human Rights Campaign Community Leadership Award and a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)/Theatre Communication Group (TCG) Career Development Fellowship for Directors. He has twice served as a theatre panel member for the NEA and has participated in the TCG/ Pew Charitable Trusts’ National Theatre Artists Residency Program. Rosen also has taught at Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Brooklyn College, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, his alma mater.
Connection to University of Missouri Kansas City
The genesis of KC Rep was born out of the theater department of UMKC in the early 60’s, and the two entities have remained linked for the ensuing decades. After 15 seasons, The Rep was incorporated as a 501(c)3 with its own governing board. The relationship between the two entities has evolved through a number of iterations vis-à-vis the involvement of UMKC faculty and staff within The Rep’s operations. The theater department and KC Rep share a principal performance venue and shops within the performing arts center on campus. As its ongoing commitment to support of the Rep, UMKC continues to provide support through salaries, office space and other operational support representing approximately $1 million – about 1/6 of the Rep’s annual budget. UMKC still retains ex officio positions on the board of the Rep. In addition, the Artistic Director serves as a dean of the university, providing leadership for the university’s mandate to serve as the arts campus of the University of Missouri system. Not surprisingly, the association with UMKC has led to some organizational tensions as the Rep has expanded and matured. Regardless of complexity of their interwoven operations, both institutions are committed to an ongoing, mutually supportive relationship.
Current Environment
Size and Scope.
The organization has managed its finances well, with a history of balanced budgets. There is a commendable endowment of $10 million. A recently completed capital campaign of $7.2 million was the Rep’s first, resulting in an important second performance venue. In the full-time staff of 40, many have significant experience in the field. While the organization has been through major transition with the departures of both the artistic director and the managing director over the past year, the administrative and operational team has had minimal turnover. In addition to its eight-production season, education is core to the Rep’s activities; there are a number of significant education / community engagement initiatives that are coordinated by a fulltime education and community programs director.
The Board.
The Rep is governed by a 32-member board of trustees, including three ex officio members from UMKC. Some reorganization is currently in progress, specifically in forming an executive committee to provide a more efficient responsiveness. After also dealing with the results of top leadership transition, the board has been reenergized by the recruitment of Eric Rosen. They are universally supportive of his approach to artistic leadership and direction.
Venues and Facilities.
As outlined above, KC Rep shares the Spencer Theatre as its primary performance venue with the theater department of UMKC. This is a 630-seat proscenium space is part of the James C. Olsen Performing Arts Center. The Rep recently completed a $7.2 million capital and endowment campaign, providing an important second venue in downtown Kansas City, the 320-seat Copaken Theatre, also a proscenium stage. The Copaken is in the heart of Kansas City ’s dynamic urban renewal project, surrounded by restaurants, retail, bars and other amenities in the thriving downtown Power and Light District. The staff of the Rep is located in two locations – in the PAC and on two floors in a second UMKC building (½ mile away.) This separation is universally seen as one of the Rep’s most challenging operational challenges.
The Future.
Having attracted Eric Rosen as artistic director, the board of KC Rep has committed the institution to a bold future direction. The 2008-09 season ranges from Tennessee Williams to hip-hop, cutting edge new work to The Christmas Carol, all organized under a common goal to expand the sense of adventure and innovation possible in an institution of the Rep’s scope. Engaging major artists, developing co-productions, and a renewing its commitment to support the local theatre community define the scope of a future objective to transform the Rep from an importer of artistic product to an exporter of creativity.
Operating on a budget of just over $6 million last season, the board approved an ambitious plan for Eric’s inaugural season, expanding the budget to $7 million. Although increased ticket sales are anticipated, the financial growth is based on additional contributed revenue and interest from the endowment. With the addition of the smaller Copaken Theatre, The Rep has been on the leading edge of the City’s downtown revival. The Copaken, which hosts newer, more cutting-edge work, is literally in the heart of new the downtown renaissance. The future stage of KC Rep will include challenging and innovative seasons involving collaborative projects, co-productions, commissions and premieres. The agenda is ambitious, with a collective will to place The Rep on a national scale, if not in size and scope, certainly in visionary work and artistic excellence. Initiatives on new play development are already being planned as is a comprehensive rebranding of the institution, with an eye toward connecting with new audiences. Finally, the Rep will assertively pursue innovative partnerships with nonprofit and commercial entities to enhance its national standing as well as its resources.
Kansas City
"The best kept secret in the country” is a common description of Kansas City by those who have moved into the city. With a thriving economy, a progressive sensibility, a wealth of performing and visual arts and a striking downtown revival, the region is on an upward growth trend. The $4.5 billion downtown renaissance has already changed the face of the city’s core. A cultural explosion parallels the commercial sector as other major performing arts institutions – KC Symphony, Lyric Opera and KC Ballet and KC Opera – will soon move into the new $200 million Kaufmann Performing Arts Center. Internationally respected Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art anchors a large visual arts community. The City hosts corporate headquarters for H&R Block, AMC Theatres, Russell Stover and Hallmark Cards. A thriving economy and a low cost-of-living make Kansas City enviable among U.S. metro areas. Kansas City also is home to professional sports teams Comets and Wizards (soccer), Chiefs (football) and Royals (baseball). The City is known as the “City of Fountains ” because of the multitude of fountains located throughout the metropolitan area. More information on the community can be found at www.experiencekc.com
Position
and Responsibilities
The next managing director of The Rep will be a compliment to the extraordinary resources of the Theatre, bringing strength and clarity to its administrative operations. A strong history of working in a collective leadership environment is imperative, especially given the Rep’s close association with UMKC. Historically, the managing director has reported to the artistic director. This structure is currently under review. Contingent on the successful candidate’s experience and skill set, the position may report to the artistic director or may report to the board of directors. The hiring of the managing director will be accomplished through a search committee comprised of seven key trustees and artistic director Eric Rosen. Responsibilities for the managing director will include the following areas:
1)Develop a strong partnership with the artistic director and the trustees;
2)
Serve as an ambassador of KC Rep to the broader community;
3)
Develop / maintain a strong operational infrastructure.
The following details specific responsibilities in each of these cornerstone areas:
1) Develop a strong partnership with the artistic director and trustees.
- Forge an effective and positive working relationship with the artistic director, collaboratively developing the plan for KC Rep’s initiatives, service to the community and programming.
- Assure that the Rep’s artistic and management strategies work together to achieve its mission.
- Work closely with the board and senior staff to strategically expand the Rep’s revenue portfolio.
2)Serve as an ambassador of KC Rep to the broader community, including fundraising.
- Forge and maintain a strong working relationship with UMKC.
- In concert with the board and staff, plan and execute executing development and marketing activities.
- Develop communication strategies and act as a principal voice in the community.
- Take the lead in forging collaborations and partnerships (both locally and nationally) with other organizations, businesses and government to increase the visibility and importance of KC Rep.
3)Develop / maintain a strong operational infrastructure.
- Align, focus and motivate the KC Rep staff, setting the tone for a positive and productive working environment at KC Rep.
- Continue to strengthen KC Rep’s administrative infrastructure, implementing best practices in all administrative areas including marketing, development, finance, HR, facility and operations.
- Provide effective financial planning leadership for KC Rep’s operational and capital budgets.
- Maintain oversight of KC Rep’s operations and budgets to assure prudent fiscal management.
- Ensure that appropriate financial control and reporting systems are executed and maintained.
Qualifications
- A track record of nonprofit performing arts management in an organization of comparable size and scale, preferably in theatre.
- Ability to work in a partnership team with the artistic director and the board of trustees.
- Knowledge of and rich appreciation for the theater.
- Success in effective financial planning and execution, including building and managing budgets.
- Clear understanding of operational issues in managing an artistic organization of KC Rep’s size.
- A strong background in working collaboratively with a board of trustees.
- Successful track record of leading, motivating and managing staff.
- Proven experience in developing the diverse revenue streams required in an institution of KC Rep’s size and scope, including audience development, fundraising, partnerships, co-productions and commercial partnerships.
- Experience in a university setting is a plus, although not required.
- A desire and ability to serve as an ambassador for KC Rep.
- A minimum of five years of senior leadership experience.
- Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree a plus.
The following personal attributes will also be considered important to the Committee:
- An active and energetic mind and demeanor.
- Very strong social and interpersonal skills, including taking delight in representing the organization in multiple social and business contexts.
- Ability to derive deep satisfaction from facilitating the best work of others.
- A desire to be part of the Kansas City community.
Compensation,
Procedure for Application
& Start Date
The salary will be competitive with other companies of comparable stature and size. Benefits will include medical/dental/life/AD&D insurance plans (largely employer funded), a 401k retirement plan (employee funded) and paid vacation/holidays. The committee hopes to make its decision by late 2008, with the successful candidate in place as soon as possible thereafter. Interested candidates should submit résumé, cover letter and salary requirements to the consulting firm retained to facilitate this important search:
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