Searching for a New Artistic Director

We are the Company OnStage, Inc. (COS). We have been a proud part of the Southwest Houston community for over 45 years as an All-Volunteer Nonprofit Community Theatre. At COS, we are driven by our goal to offer professional quality theatrical performances to our community at affordable prices. We provide opportunities for everyone in the Greater Houston Area to take part in the theatrical process by attending performances, taking classes, or participating in all phases of production.

We are in an exciting phase of growth as we seek a committed and experienced volunteer Artistic Director to guide the artistic vision of our organization and support its growth. The Artistic Director will work under the guidance of the Board of Directors to shape policies for COS’s production volunteers, oversee the Script Selection Committee, and provide artistic direction for each season to realize the ongoing mission of the theatre.

 

Who Are We Looking For?

While our volunteers are the heart of the Company OnStage, the Artistic Director is the guiding hand that leads the artistic side of our organization. They possess a passion for art and live performances and share their expertise, influence, knowledge, and resources to ensure a strong future for the organization. Our volunteers come from a diverse range of personal and professional backgrounds, and we are seeking an Artistic Director who will work to engage those volunteers in furtherance of our mission.

Our ideal Artistic Director is:

• Passionate about the arts – each of us has been shaped and influenced by the arts at some point in our lives, and you want to see the community prosper through ready access to live theatrical performances.
• Experienced – you have at least three years of experience in arts leadership, artistic direction, or worked in a decision-making role within a theatrical organization. You are passionate about reading plays and finding new perspectives to bring to the stage, while also being well read on popular theatrical productions.
• Collaborative and enjoys working with fun people – you value working alongside a team, empowering others to express their point of view, and fostering an environment of healthy communication.
• Reliable – you arrive on time, meet deadlines, and follow through on your commitments. You demonstrate responsibility and accountability in decision-making, especially in team-settings, celebrating when things have gone well and assisting when there are struggles.
• Forward-thinking – you scan the environment to anticipate future needs and provide solutions to challenges. You are also attentive to the trends and preferences of audiences in the Houston area. You can provide guidance when selecting plays to both challenge and entertain our audience while encouraging growth.
• Thrives on making connections: You are committed to being an ambassador for the Company OnStage as the face of the artistic side of the organization, and will help us engage new audiences, professional partners, participants, and supporters.
• Open – you bring your authentic self to your work, and contribute to a positive, honest, and safe environment where people can connect and create.

 

What Is The Time Commitment?

• The Artistic Director volunteers for a 3-year term and may serve consecutive terms.
• The Artistic Director meets with the full Board monthly in person, to provide ongoing reports about each production, the season, and planning for the upcoming season.
• The Artistic Director oversees the meetings of the Script Reading Committee and provides feedback and guidance on thematic choices and organizational goals for each season. The AD will then take the Committee’s recommendations and put together a prospective season to be submitted for Board approval each February.
• The Artistic Director collaborates with the Production Coordinator for each block of shows to ensure that every production has access to the resources that they need and will meet the artistic standards of The Company OnStage. The AD will attend every production meeting and observe at least one rehearsal per show to provide feedback and mentorship ahead of each production opening.
• The Artistic Director spends an average of approximately 10 hours a month: attending regular meetings, overseeing productions, and being the face of the artistic side of the theatre.

 

Who Are We?

It all started in 1977 when Joyce Randall McNally, a former Alley Theatre Associate Director, and Hank McNally, her husband, began offering acting classes for children and adults in the Westbury area of Southwest Houston. Later, a small space in Westbury Square was rented, and in spring 1978, Company OnStage presented its first season of shows. In 1986, COS was organized as a Texas Non-Profit Corporation, and a Board of Directors was formed. Since then, the theatre remained a fixture of the Westbury area throughout 32 years at Westbury Square and several moves, including building out the gymnasium at Salem Lutheran Church – an endeavor which was interrupted and prolonged by damage from Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

In 2020, COS shifted to virtual operations during the COVID19 Pandemic, before reopening briefly in 2021. Due to the sale of the Salem property, Company OnStage began a search for a new home while finding opportunities to stage performances throughout the city. After that period of transition, COS proudly returned to Southwest Houston with the opening of our current location on Bellaire in 2023.

Company OnStage operates solely through the efforts of volunteers under the guidance of its Board of Directors. The theatre is funded by ticket sales, season ticket purchases, donations from corporations, gifts from private individuals, and through special fundraising events. As we have been since our founding, COS remains dedicated to keeping live theatre accessible and affordable.

 

What’s Our Why?

We believe that art is a central component of our culture and community, and we are passionate in providing a place where our community can experience live theatre and can find lifelong enrichment and appreciation for the performing arts. Our purpose is:

• To provide the community with quality theatrical productions at an affordable price.
• To encourage participation in theatre by the community.
• To increase awareness and appreciation of the theatrical arts.
• To provide individuals of all ages and backgrounds with an opportunity to develop theatrical talents by participating in acting and other technical aspects of theatre.

 

Are You Interested?

Whether you are interested and want to know more or are ready to apply, we would love to hear from you! Application Window closes May 31, 2025!

Apply Online:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0Kib15yrfe2w27GpLWPo_-NQtePjSB7cOMYLxG9SraL6cNA/viewform?usp=header

For additional information, contact Kathryn Noser at president@companyonstage.org