Founded in 2001, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is Chicago’s only multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to social justice and socially conscious work that builds community through the arts “one voice, one story, one person at a time.” Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble operates contracted and tuition-based multi-disciplinary arts education classes for Chicago schools, organizations, and parents—mostly in under-resourced neighborhoods, reaching more than 1,000 students each year, primarily in pre-K through 2nd grade. Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble mounts two to three mainstage productions each year, drawing approximately 1,000 audience members each season. Our performance home is Ebenezer Lutheran Church Auditorium.

To engage, inspire, and challenge the community, both onstage and in the classroom, through innovative and collaborative multidisciplinary storytelling to illuminate aspects of social issues. We do this in the genre of Tanztheatre, "which unites all art media to achieve an all-embracing, radical change in humankind.

Residents of the Chicagoland area are inspired to make their world a better place by exploring important social issues in an artistic setting. All students have access to arts education and can holistically develop their skills to be proactive, positive members of society.

Learn more about Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble at www.danztheatre.org. 

As we embark on our 20th anniversary season, Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is seeking a self-starter and motivated communicator who can join our team. The candidate must be able to successfully market our organizations performances and arts educational programs with a comprehensive message about the company. Candidates must be able to create content for social media, print and written documents, design social media graphic and flyers and programs for events and be able to work with a graphic designer for bigger projects.

The candidate must be able to reach, communicate and connect with Chicago’s diverse communities and build new audiences. Community and audience engagement are two core essential aspects to Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble. Community engagement happens outside the walls of the performance space, while audience engagement happens during performances in the form of talkbacks, social service resources and audience surveys and social media. Successful candidates will have established relationships with arts and culture reporters or be able to establish those relationships.

·      Manage overall ‘look & feel’ of branding material with Executive Artistic Director

·      Manage all regular communications, including:

o  Social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube)

o  E-blasts and Newsletters (Constant Contact)

·      Produce monthly newsletter and manage performance and arts ed blogs

·      Maintain and update website (via Weebly)

·      Develop & implement marketing calendar for shows and events

o  Build campaigns per specific production and arts educational programs

o  Create & develop specific content for social media

o  Run paid ad campaigns

o  Coordinate show posters with Graphic Designer

·      Develop & implement creative marketing for Arts Education programs

·      Assist and design creative promotions to attract new schools and community centers

·      Market and sell programming to schools

·      Measure and report progress

o  Report Key Performance Indicators for digital channels once a month

·      Update communications plan every 3-6 months or as needed

·      Media Relations

o  Write press release for events and send to media contacts and BroadwayWorld.com

o  Confirm media placements and coordinate journalist presence at events

o  Document and report media coverage

o  Cultivate and develop new and established relationships with key arts and culture reporters for consistent story placement

·      Publicity for Events

o  Create and manage event listings (See Chicago Dance, League of Chicago Theatres, Facebook, etc.)

o  Coordinate discount ticket listings (HotTix, Goldstar)

o  Create and manage event ticketing (Brown Paper Tickets)

o  Create program for performances (Google Docs)

o  Coordinate program advertisements

o  Manage distribution of posters, postcards, and/or flyers

·      Community Engagement

o  Attend at least one networking event a month on behalf of Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (League of Chicago Theater, See Chicago Dance, Northside Theater Group or other events that would help promote Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble)

o  Cultivate artists relationships with the community

·      Outreach

o  Work with Artistic Director to identify and connect with relevant social service organizations

▪       Education Booth for performances

▪       Day-of support at performances

▪       Panel discussion and partnerships

o  Maintain a relationship with local organizations, particularly with Ebenezer Lutheran and Andersonville neighbors

·      Funder Engagement

o  Work with the Development Director on the following:

▪       Current funders

•       Invite to all events

•       Include in regular communication updates

•       Ensure promotional requirements outlined in grant agreements are met, such as consistent citation in programs, press releases and other materials

▪       Prospective funders

•       Work with Development Director to create a targeted list

•       Invite to all events

•       Develop specific communication tools, as needed

·      Audience Engagement

o  Create survey to track audience demographics and responses 

·      Meet regularly with Executive Director and Development Director

·      Assist with organizing and coordinating fundraising campaigns/events including:

o  Annual Fundraiser Gala

o  Smaller Ensemble/ Board Events

o  Giving Tuesday and other online events

o  Donor Relations

 

·      Some formal training and at least 2 years of relevant experience in marketing communications, media, or related fields

·      Strong writing and communication skills, with a professional public demeanor

·      Detail-oriented and organized

·      Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Word & Excel and/or Mac programs, email marketing, website content management systems, basic graphic design programs, and social media platforms required. Basic understanding of video editing software and HTML preferred

·      Self-motivated and creative, able to work well independently and as a team

·      Preference given to candidates with a connection to and/or experience with the Chicago theatre community

 

·      Must have personal laptop

·      Can attend at least one weekly staff meeting and work from home at least 2-3 other days a week

·      Connected to email and phone and can check-in and respond to messages in a timely manner

·      Is comfortable with technology, including learning to use new platforms and systems for digital marketing

·      A commitment to the mission, vision and philosophy of Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble (www.danztheatre.org)

Please send cover letter, resume, and three writing samples, demonstrating writing for three different audiences or three different communication platforms, including at least one social media posting and one press release, to megan@danztheatre.org. We will contact you if we feel there is a potential match with your skills and experience and our needs. No phone calls please.