The ideal candidate would be able to execute the group’s artistic direction and oversee all aspects of production – including the hiring of personnel, planning rehearsals and managing finances.
Stephenville Theatre Festival’s board of directors is looking for a new artistic director/producer for their 2011 season after the departure of Eva Moore.
Ms. Moore was hired in March 2005 as the festival’s executive director. With the festival owing $200,000 to creditors and facing bankruptcy, the board underwent a restructuring a short time later. Two senior positions – executive director and artistic director – were combined to create the role of artistic producer. Ms. Moore was named to that new position.
While the debt was nearly cleared over the next five years, the theatre company was once again in the red after poor 2010 box office sales. The festival’s board underwent another restructuring process.
“The board was looking to take a little more control back on decisions that would be made regarding the festival and a new contract was struck that would reflect those interests and Eva wasn’t interested in it,” said Mike Dawson, board chairman.
He noted the board has been able to pay down enough of the current debt to secure financing for the 2011 season, which is expected to be four weeks in length. Last year’s festival ran for six weeks.
Ms. Moore declined to comment on leaving the theatre company. She is currently the artistic producer for the New Actors’ Colony Theatre in Ontario.
Stephenville Theatre Festival was founded by Maxim Mazumdar in 1979 as the first professional summer theatre festival in Newfoundland and Labrador.
