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Job Description
Director of Events and Programming Tysons Corner, VA 22102 Hybrid work $30,000 a year - Contract $30,000 a year - Contract Virginia Thespians , the Virginia chapter of the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), invites applications for the position of Director of Events and Programming . This is a 12-month position requiring full-time hours from October through February in preparation for the annual Virginia Thespian Festival and part-time hours from March through September . The Director of Events and Programming serves as a key leader in advancing theatre education throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Working collaboratively with the Managing Director and Executive Board, this individual develops and oversees educational programming, coordinates statewide events, cultivates strategic partnerships, and creates meaningful opportunities for students, educators, and theatre professionals. The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of theatre education, educational programming, and arts leadership while helping fulfill and expand the mission of
Virginia Thespians:
inspiring excellence in theatre education through performance, leadership, advocacy, and lifelong learning. Primary Responsibilities The Director of Events and Programming will: Develop, coordinate, and evaluate statewide educational programming that supports theatre students and educators. Collaborate with theatre educators to identify programming that reflects current instructional practices, educational trends, and student needs. Expand professional learning opportunities for theatre educators through conferences, workshops, mentoring opportunities, and regional events. Cultivate relationships and communicate regularly with middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions to encourage participation in Virginia Thespian programs. Cultivate relationships with theatre artists, adjudicators, clinicians, workshop presenters, and guest performers for the Virginia Thespian Festival and year-round programming. Cultivate relationships with businesses and organizations to serve as Festival vendors and organizational partners. Cultivate sponsorships and strategic partnerships that support the mission and long-term sustainability of Virginia Thespians. Promote student leadership by mentoring Virginia Thespian Officers and State Thespian Officers. Encourage participation in the Virginia Thespian Festival and all Chapter-sponsored educational events. Support the growth of existing Thespian troupes while encouraging the establishment of new troupes throughout Virginia. Under the advisement and with the approval of the Executive Board, negotiate and execute contracts with venues, vendors, artists, presenters, institutions, and other partners. Serve as liaison between Festival venues, hotels, and the Executive Board. Collaborate with Planning Board members to identify ongoing organizational and programming needs. Attend monthly Planning Board meetings and provide regular reports regarding events, programming, partnerships, and organizational initiatives. Assist in planning and implementing non-Festival programming, including the Theatre Educators' Intensive, regional events, leadership development, and other educational initiatives. Represent Virginia Thespians professionally within schools, educational organizations, arts organizations, and the broader community. Serve as an ambassador for the mission and vision of Virginia Thespians. Model professionalism, collaboration, integrity, and servant leadership for board members, volunteers, students, and educators. Participate actively in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the annual organizational budget. Desired Qualifications Ideal candidates will possess many of the following qualifications: Education & Experience Bachelor's degree in Theatre, Theatre Education, Arts Administration, Education, or a related field (Master's degree preferred). Minimum of five years of experience in theatre education, arts administration, nonprofit leadership, or educational programming. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing educational programming for students and/or educators. Experience working within secondary education. Experience with the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) , Thespian programs, or similar educational arts organizations is strongly preferred. Experience managing large-scale educational events, conferences, or festivals. Experience negotiating contracts and working with performance venues. Leadership & Professional Skills Thorough understanding of theatre education and student leadership development. Demonstrated ability to lead organizations or programs through growth and change. Ability to recruit, motivate, and support teams of volunteers. Excellent organizational and project management skills. Strong attention to detail. Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills. Ability to communicate a clear educational and artistic vision. Excellent time management skills. Ability to work independently while leading collaborative teams. Ability to solve problems effectively in high-pressure environments. Ability to manage multiple priorities with professionalism and flexibility. Competency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, virtual meeting platforms, and database systems (BookTix experience preferred). Current driver's license and clean driving record preferred.
Personal Qualities The ideal candidate:
Believes deeply in the transformative power of theatre education. Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment. Values collaboration, creativity, and innovation. Builds authentic relationships with students, educators, volunteers, artists, and community partners. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. Has experience engaging partners representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Possesses creativity, adaptability, and a positive sense of humor. Leads with transparency, empathy, and a servant-leader mindset. Compensation Compensation for this position is $30,000 annually , distributed in four equal installments between November and March . This position offers a flexible year-round schedule, with full-time responsibilities during the Festival planning season (October-February) and part-time responsibilities throughout the remainder of the year. Our Commitment Virginia Thespians strives to be an anti-racist, fully accessible, multicultural organization that is genuinely welcoming to all. Staff and volunteers are expected to: Demonstrate initiative in developing skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency, accessibility, and inclusion. Participate in ongoing professional learning related to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. Foster welcoming and inclusive environments for students, educators, volunteers, and community members at all meetings, events, and programs. We Encourage You to Apply Research shows that many qualified candidates—particularly women and members of historically underrepresented groups—apply only when they meet nearly every listed qualification. We are more interested in finding a collaborative leader who shares our mission and values than someone who checks every box. If you believe your experience, passion, and leadership would contribute to the continued success of Virginia Thespians, we encourage you to apply. To Be Considered Applicants should submit: A current resume highlighting relevant professional, educational, and leadership experience. A cover letter describing your philosophy of theatre education and explaining how your experience prepares you to lead statewide educational programming, events, and student leadership initiatives for Virginia Thespians. Application materials should be submitted electronically to: hiring@vathespian.org
Application Deadline:
Friday, July 3, 2026
Anticipated Start Date:
August 1, 2026 Equal Opportunity Employer Virginia Thespians is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications. Virginia Thespians staff and volunteers may be asked to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities as organizational needs evolve.
