Employment Opportunities

Rare Opportunity Available
Sunset Playhouse seeks a multi-talented, experienced Managing Director to lead an established successful community-based entertainment organization in Elm Grove, WI. This is a new on-site position and offers the rare opportunity for the right candidate to assume responsibility for all aspects of the Playhouse including the long-term sustainability of the organization. The candidate must be a dedicated, creative, flexible professional and should have experience in theater production, fundraising, marketing, people and nonprofit financial management.

About Sunset Playhouse: sunsetplayhouse.com
Since its Incorporation in 1954, the nonprofit Playhouse has been an ongoing story of friendship, camaraderie, joy, hard work, and perseverance by an active and diverse pool of volunteers working in conjunction with a paid staff. With an annual budget of about $1 million, and a recently implemented endowment, the Playhouse produces eight community theater productions and six professional concerts in its 295 seat Auditorium, plus three After Sunset productions and six professional cabarets in its Studio Theater. Our School for the Arts also offers productions, classes, workshops, and camps for students ages 2-18. The paid full and part time staff includes an Artistic Director, Technical Director, Education Director, Music Director, Box Office Manager, Bookkeeper, Volunteer Coordinator, Office Manager, Administrative Assistant, and various front of house, backstage, and crafts persons.

About the Position
The Managing Director will be the Senior Employee, a leader responsible for all Playhouse activities, while reporting to the Board of Directors. In keeping with the Playhouse’s Vision, Mission, and Value Statements, the Managing Director will oversee or assume direct responsibility for artistic product,
production, education, administration, legal, development, marketing, financial, facilities management, and volunteer and community relations. The Managing Director will serve as the spokesperson or “public face” of the Playhouse.

Basic Job Duties and Responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities are abbreviated, a full Position Responsibilities document is available upon request

Strategic Planning
● Along with the Board of Directors develops and implements long-range and annual strategic plans

Administration
● Supervise daily administrative operations and, in collaboration with the Artistic, Technical, and Education Directors, plan and execute both theaters’ season of productions and educational offerings
● Personnel management, including but not limited to:
       o Hire, supervise, coach, mentor, train, and conduct performance reviews for all staff members
       o In coordination with the Artistic, Technical, and Education Directors, recruit employees including freelance and temporary workers as needed

Financial Management
● Collaborate with the Treasurer, bookkeeper, and Board on overall financial management
● Collaborate with the Treasurer, Artistic, Technical, and Education Directors then, with Board approval, develop and implement annual operating budget and capital budget in support of the strategic plan

Marketing
● Develop for Board approval and execute an annual marketing plan
● Develop for Board approval and execute yearly ticketing strategy
Education
● In collaboration with the Education Director and through coordination with the Artistic and Technical Directors, manage all education programs including camps, workshops, and staged productions

Development
● Creates and implements a plan to increase audience attendance, obtain grants and increase annual donations

Board Relations
● Report and communicate regularly with Board Officers
● Provide monthly reports assessing progress towards goals and objectives of the strategic and annual plan, detailing staff activities and significant achievements and events

Advocacy
● Build a positive relationship with Playhouse volunteers, local community volunteers, public officials, donors, sponsors, and other arts organizations
● Be the public face of the Playhouse by attending its productions and, when called upon, speak to private and public organizations and the press

Facilities Management
● Manage the facility to the highest level possible
● Meet or exceed all state and local safety, fire, and building maintenance codes

Production Support
● Work closely with the Artistic Director, Technical, and Education Director to provide administrative services for the production process
● Create production team/performer contracts

Minimum Qualifications
● BA/BFA in theater studies, arts management, or related field
● 5-7 years of experience in arts or nonprofit management
● 1-3 years of experience in nonprofit fund development
● Demonstrated success in donor development
● Familiarity with theater production
● Strong presentation and persuasive skills
● Efficient multitasking and time management skills

Preferred Qualifications
● MA/MFA in theater studies, arts management, or related field
● 7-10 years of experience in arts or nonprofit management
● Participation in theater production, including casting, directing, basic design, and technical operations

Salary and Benefits
● $55,000–$70,000 with annual performance bonus
● 15 paid days off
● Flexible work hours

Physical Demands
The position does not have set or routine office hours but requires the candidate to maintain a flexible schedule to be available and in the Playhouse 4-6 days a week. Also, may be called to the facility in emergencies.

The Playhouse mainstage, backstage, basement, and second story are only accessible via stairs. While the Furlan Auditorium and Marla Eichmann Studio are fully accessible, the candidate must be able to negotiate stairs.

Other
● Valid Driver’s License
● Bondable
● Background check and references will be required
● Relocation assistance negotiable

To apply, please send to: sunsetboardeg@gmail.com
● Submit Cover Letter
● CV/Resume
● Availability

PLEASE SUBMIT ALL MATERIALS BEFORE FEBRUARY 28, 20

Box Office / Front of House Representatives at Sunset Playhouse.

Sunset Playhouse seeks part-time Box Office/Front of House Representatives for our vibrant theater located in Elm Grove, WI.  The ideal candidate will be hired and trained as a Box Office Representative or a Front of House Representative or both. Hours will be approximately 5-20 per week based on Sunset performance schedule and your availability. Previous theater experience is not a prerequisite for this position. 

In the role of Box Office Representative, you will be the primary contact for Sunset’s patrons. As the Front of House Representative, you will be Sunset’s link to our patrons and volunteers.

Responsibilities as a Box Office Representative include:

• Act as the main customer service representative for the Ticket Office.
• Process telephone, mail, and walk up ticket orders. Other tasks as assigned.
• Assist and respond to patrons with information about our theater.

 Responsibilities as a Front of House Representative include:

• Interact with patrons and volunteers and maintain audience safety and comfort.
• Ensure the bar and concession areas are fully-stocked.
• Make end of night deposit.

 Preferred Qualifications for Box Office / Front of House Representative:

• Ticket Office and/or sales experience preferred
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills preferred
• Computer, data entry, basic math skills, and cash handling and reconciliation experience preferred
• Reliable and prompt
• Theater experience not required, but a love of the arts  preferred

We are interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people of all ages (over 18). This would be an ideal position for a person looking for a long-term part-time position offering approximately 6-15 hours per week, based on your availability.  Theater experience is not needed – we will train you. Hourly rate is commensurate with your experience.  Depending on your interest and Sunset needs, you may elect to train for either a Front of House Representative or a Box Office Representative, although a willingness to learn both areas is idea. 

Interested applicants should email their Sunset Employment Application or your resume to Brooke Olson at bolson@sunsetplayhouse.com. Please include the words BO/FOH Representative Position in the subject line of your e-mail.

Sunset Playhouse
700 Wall Street
Elm Grove, WI 53122
262-782-4431 X233

We are currently accepting resumes for the Assistant  Stage Manager for possible future opportunities. We will train an Assistant Stage Manager.

We are also accepting resumes for future Stage Manager positions.  A stipend is paid for this position and prior Stage Management experience is required.  

These positions could be used as an internship for a college student if the college attended offers such an opportunity and is an excellent learning opportunity.

Stage Managers attend rehearsals, taking blocking notes for director, maintain the calendar, supervise the cast, assist with props and scene changes if needed, and other duties as assigned.  The Stage Manager is expected to attend all performances and is fully in charge of the production during performances.   

 Assistant Stage Managers attend rehearsals once per week during the rehearsal period and nightly starting with Tech week through all performances. A small stipend is available.  This position could be used as an internship for a college student if the college attended offers such an opportunity and is an excellent learning opportunity for a theater student or someone interested in the arts/stage management.

To apply for this position, email your resume and a cover letter to Brooke Olson at bolson@sunsetplayhouse.com. Please include the words: Stage Manager Position or Assistant Stage Manager Position in the subject line of your e-mail.

Sunset Playhouse is accepting resumes for possible future openings for the position of part-time SOUND DESIGNERS/SOUND ENGINEERS

SOUND DESIGNERS/ENGINEERS  Prior experience programming sound cues and microphones is required.  Sound Designer is responsible for programming cues into the sound board, setting up body and hand-held mics, speakers, and monitors as needed, working with performers, and operating the sound board during the production. 

We are accepting resumes for future sound openings as more items are added to our season.

Your duties as SOUND DESIGNER/SOUND ENGINEE for 2024-25 Season will include:

• • Meeting with the production’s director to determine sound requirements
  • Being available for production meetings on a mutually agreeable dates if needed
  • Attending tech week

  • Programming body or hand-held mics, practical sound cues, setting sound levels, and performing any necessary sound adjustments during the run of the show. SCS software

  • Running Sound for the selected production for all performances of the musical or securing and training additional sound operators, if needed.

  • In case of emergency or illness, finding a substitute sound operator

    Stipend will be based on previous experience and the time commitment required for selected production.

    Note: Sound Designers are employed on a per show, part-time basis and paid via stipend.  We do not provide housing or transportation.  Applicants should be located within a 60 minute commute to Sunset Playhouse. 

    For more information or to apply for a Sound Designer position, please email: bolson@sunsetplayhouse.com

    To apply, please include your resume and 2 references.

    Thanks for your interest!

• Ability to lift 50 lbs and climb stairs
• Available 3-10 hours per week (hours vary depending on performance schedule – flexible time frames)

Hourly rate: TBD based on experience

Sunset Playhouse School for the Arts offers a wide variety of performing arts classes for all ages and all interest levels taught by the area’s top professional teaching artists.

As a growing company we are always looking for experienced, energetic, skilled, teachers to join our organization so that they can be a positive influence in the lives of children ages 2 – 15. We are always growing our teacher pool for future opportunities.  Part-time, flexible positions

Teachers needed in: acting, improvisation, musical theater, preschool theater, play writing, and others.

Experience with directing and/or teaching students of all ages is requested.  This individual must have great initiative and organizational skills as well as the ability to adjust curriculum and goals on the fly.

We are currently accepting applications for future opportunities. For questions please call email Erika Navin at enavin@sunsetplayhouse.com.

Hourly rate: $20-$25 per hour based on experience.