Theatre professor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Associate Producer

Court Theatre is the professional theatre of the University of Chicago and a Tony-award winning nationally recognized center for classic theatre. Located on Chicago's South Side, Court produces artistically ambitious work that combines rigorous inquiry, innovative interpretation, and deep engagement with scholars, students, artists, and the public. As Court looks to its 75th anniversary and expands its artistic reach through convenings, co-productions, touring, commissions, and strategic partnerships, the Associate Producer will play a critical role in building the systems that support this next phase of growth.

The Associate Producer is a full-time, benefits-eligible member of Court Theatre's Producing Department, reporting to the Director of Producing. The Associate Producer leads the day-to-day producing and coordination of assigned productions, artistic initiatives, residencies, convenings, and special projects, ensuring their successful execution from planning through completion. Working closely with the Director of Producing, Director of Production, Managing Director, Director of Engagement, and colleagues across Court, the Associate Producer coordinates all activities related to artists, contracts, schedules, budgets, and institutional logistics while helping deliver Court Theatre's artistic work with operational excellence, exceptional artist care, and strong fiscal stewardship. As Court Theatre expands its producing activities through co-productions, touring, artist residencies, and strategic partnerships, this position offers opportunities for increasing responsibility and leadership within the Producing Department.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading the day-to-day production and coordination of assigned convenings, productions, workshops, readings, residencies, and special artistic initiatives.
• Supporting the Director of Producing with season planning, producing initiatives, and institutional reporting.
• Facilitating production planning meetings and tracking project deliverables from planning through completion.
• Developing and maintaining project plans and documentation, production calendars and archives, project timelines and milestones, meeting agendas, follow-up materials, action lists, and post-project evaluations.
• Managing and tracking artist onboarding, contracts, and orientation; preparing, routing, and tracking artist contracts and related documentation.
• Coordinating travel, housing, and logistics for seasonal and visiting artists, as well as the Artistic Director.
• Serving as the primary liaison for guest artists throughout their engagement with Court Theatre.
• Coordinating artist communications in support of an equitable, inclusive, and artist-centered working environment.
• Collaborating with Finance and Human Resources on onboarding paperwork and payroll documentation.
• Assisting with budget planning, monitoring production budgets, reconciling expenses, processing invoices, and preparing budget reports for the Director of Producing.
• Maintaining accurate production databases, calendars, contact lists, and organizational files to ensure compliance with University policies and collective bargaining agreements.
• Representing Court Theatre professionally with artists, vendors, University colleagues, and community partners.
• Supervising interns, temporary staff, or project assistants, as assigned.
• Facilitating communication among Court Theatre, University partners, artists, and external collaborators.
• Coordinating events, researching logistics, assisting with planning and preparing presentations, event outreach, and post-event write ups.
• Assisting with other administrative projects as needed and acquiring higher level guidance and skills.
• Performing other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field and 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in producing, theatre management, or arts administration.
• Coordinating complex artistic projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Background in a LORT, university-affiliated, or mission-driven theatre.
• Understanding of theatrical contracts, artist services, and production administration.
• Excellent project management, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of the Chicago theatre community.

Preferred Competencies

• Support multiple concurrent productions and institutional initiatives while maintaining exceptional organizational standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Relationship-building across artists, staff, and institutional partners.
• Financial accuracy and attention to detail.
• Judgment, discretion, and calm under pressure.
• Commitment to collaborative, artist-centered producing.

Application documents include a resume/CV (required) and cover letter and professional references contact information (preferred).