Established in 1997, the Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble is an interdisciplinary collective of world-class improvising jazz musicians, dancers, and actors in NYC. The Ensemble works at the crossroads of activism, arts, and social justice, creating provocative performances and innovative education programs that promote empathy, creativity, and civic discourse. Strike Anywhere is the preeminent performance group in the United States practicing Soundpainting. Soundpainting is the universal sign language for live composition with improvising actors, musicians, dancers, and visual artists. The technique allows disparate groups to come together through guided improvisation. Strike Anywhere has performed and taught in over 200 venues in 16 states and 8 countries using theater, improvisation and Soundpainting to amplify under-heard voices, connect communities, and promote joy. For more information on our programs, visit: www.strikeanywhere.info

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER OVERVIEW:

Strike Anywhere is seeking a Production Stage Manager to support the Ensemble’s upcoming production of POP UP: An Artistic Adventure at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA winter/spring 2024. POP UP is a series of site-specific, interview-based performances devised by SA’s permanent ensemble. The public is guided to short, pop up performances via clues on a hand-made map. Over the course of 2-3 days, performances pop-up in windows, parks, and plazas. Community members are offered free Soundpainting workshops and invited to join in the finale of the piece. For this iteration of POP UP, performances will take place on the Lehigh University campus and throughout the southside of Bethlehem, PA. Past iterations of the project can be found on this YouTube POP UP teaser Playlist.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate communication across all creative and technical departments to ensure a smooth
  residency and efficient rehearsals/performances for Strike Anywhere.
• Tasks include:
• Assisting the director during rehearsals, notating newly devised show content.
• Creating rehearsal schedules; Arranging fittings, Leading Technical Rehearsals.
• Logging and communicating technical needs to the Lehigh Production Team.
• Coordinating communication between different departments of Strike Anywhere, community members and the Production Team of Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University to ensure everything is running smoothly.
• Sending out rehearsal reports and communicating internal company announcements.
• Ensuring safety in the workplace.
• Keeping track of expenses. Purchasing equipment.
• Working closely with Lehigh’s Production Manager to ensure that cues are called correctly and everything runs smoothly in tech and in performance.

 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL BE:

• Passionate about the arts and their ability to affect positive social change.
• Highly organized with demonstrated stage management experience.
• Collaborative, creative, and highly dependable.
• A flexible problem solver.
• An outstanding communicator.
• Able to work independently and manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Calm during demanding moments.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Sharepoint, Google Suite.
• Invested in providing a welcoming, safe, inclusive environment for the team.
• Effective at maintaining professional, courteous relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Have a valid current driver’s license.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 4+ years of professional stage management or production management experience, with specific preference given for non-profit, devised ensemble-based and/or community-engaged theatre experience. Touring experience a plus.
• Strong communication and organizational skills are a must.
• A sense of humor is highly desirable.

 

SCHEDULE:

• PSM Travel needs are as follows:

Our production team heads to Bethlehem to work with the Lehigh University Production Team February 19-22, where we will communicate all tech needs to their team, walk the route, examine each performance site, discuss the rain plan, talk to their front of house and marketing teams to communicate the particularities of the show, map the routes for the audience, performers, tech team and video crew.

Then the Performance ensemble and Production team travels back to Bethlehem for the final weeklong residency to assemble the production on-site, and rehearse with community members, (they join us for the finale and a few have cameos) and perform the show. Residency is April 21-28 (performances 4/27 4/28).

**We are looking for a PSM to come on both trips to Bethlehem and to attend the majority of SA’s POP UP rehearsals between Jan-April on Tuesday nights in Manhattan 7-10PM (wouldn’t need PSM all rehearsals but as many as possible in advance of the two visits).

LOCATION:

This is a NYC-based company. We rehearse in Manhattan and will be in residency in Bethlehem, PA during the two weeks mentioned above.

 

COMPENSATION:

$1500 fee, non-union. All Travel costs, single-room hotel accommodation in
Bethlehem in walking distance to all sites, $50 per diem/per day provided for all out of town visits

Please submit a cover letter that describes your interest and qualifications for the position (no longer than 2 pages). Send a current resumé, and the names of three professional references. Electronic submissions are preferred (MS Word or Adobe Acrobat attachments only, please). Please write: Strike A Match in the subject line. Email Leese Walker: strikeanywherejobs@gmail.com. We will consider applications until the position is filled.