ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT); Regina; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SaskExpress Theatre Company, Saskatchewan's provincial musical theatre company, seeks an Artistic Director to shape the artistic vision, programming, and creative leadership across two studios and touring productions. The AD reports to the Board and collaborates closely with the Executive Director and staff to ensure artistic excellence within budget and community needs.

The role oversees artistic staff, season planning, education programs, auditions, and community partnerships, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of artistic leadership experience.
• Experience with youth and adult performers in training and production.
• Experience producing or directing musical theatre.
• Experience with touring productions or multi-site programming is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate a clear artistic vision for SaskExpress that reflects its provincial mandate.
• Lead artistic planning for all productions across both studios and touring group.
• Oversee recruitment, supervision, and evaluation of artistic staff including choreographers and directors.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to align artistic programming with goals, budgets, and community needs.
• Represent SaskExpress’ artistic work to partners, schools, and funders.

Skills

Artistic leadership

Directing

Choreography

Education

Touring

Community engagement

Team leadership

Job description

Company Overview

SaskExpress Theatre Company is committed to creating a workplace and artistic environment that reflects the diversity of Saskatchewan and welcomes people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and abilities.

We believe that diverse perspectives, voices, and lived experiences make our organization and our productions stronger. SaskExpress is committed to fair, equitable, and inclusive hiring practices and to providing meaningful opportunities for artists, technicians, administrators, educators, and other professionals to contribute to our organization.

Our hiring and selection processes are based on qualifications, experience, skills, artistic ability, and the requirements of each position. We strive to remove barriers to participation and encourage applications from individuals who have historically been underrepresented in the performing arts, including Indigenous peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.

SaskExpress is committed to fostering a safe workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, feels a sense of belonging, and has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

We encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Job Description

Artistic Director – SaskExpress Theatre Company

The Artistic Director (AD) is the senior artistic leader of Saskatchewan Express Society Inc. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working collaboratively with the Executive Director, Studio Directors, staff, contractors and volunteers, the AD is responsible for the artistic vision, programming, and creative leadership of SaskExpress across its two studio locations, and touring production group. The AD ensures that SaskExpress delivers high-quality, innovative, and community-focused musical theatre experiences that reflect the organization’s mission and provincial reach.

The AD oversees artistic staff, instructors, choreographers, directors, and production personnel, and works closely with administrative leadership to ensure artistic excellence is balanced with operational and financial sustainability.

• Governance & Reporting Relationship
• Reports to the Board of Directors.
• Provides artistic planning updates and strategic recommendations to the Governing Board as required.
• Collaborates with the Executive Director to align artistic programming with organizational goals, financial realities, and community needs.
• Serves as the key advisor on artistic policy, programming direction, and long-term artistic strategy.
• Key Responsibilities
• Artistic Vision & Leadership
• Develop and articulate a clear artistic vision for SaskExpress that reflects its mandate as a provincial musical theatre company.
• Lead the artistic planning for all productions, performances, and creative initiatives across both studios.
• Ensure programming reflects the organization’s mission, values, artistic excellence, inclusivity, and community engagement.
• Stay informed of emerging trends in musical theatre, dance, and arts education to keep SaskExpress current and innovative.
• Represent SaskExpress’ artistic values to the public, partners, and stakeholders.
• Seasonal Productions (Youth & Adult)
• Oversee the artistic development, planning, and execution of all seasonal productions
• Select or approve show titles, creative teams, choreographers, directors, and designers.
• Cast productions in collaboration with creative staff; oversee auditions and callbacks.
• Ensure rehearsal processes are well-structured, supportive, and aligned with SaskExpress’ artistic standards.
• Supervise all artistic elements including choreography, staging, music direction, design, and performance quality.
• Attend rehearsals, production meetings, technical rehearsals, and performances as required.
• Ensure scope of productions are in keeping with approved budgets
• Studio Programming & Education Oversight
• Provide artistic leadership for both SaskExpress studio locations.
• Work with studio managers and instructors to ensure high-quality training in all aspects of musical theatre. (dance, voice, acting, stagecraft)
• Support curriculum development, class planning, and artistic standards across all levels.
• Teach classes, workshops, or rehearsals as appropriate.
• Mentor instructors and emerging artists.
• Ensure programming supports students of all ages and experience levels.
• Artistic Staff Leadership & Collaboration
• Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate artistic staff including choreographers, directors, instructors, designers, and guest artists.
• As the direct report to the Studio Directors, provide leadership and evaluation
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive artistic environment.
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for artistic personnel.
• Ensure clear communication of artistic expectations, rehearsal schedules, and production policies.
• Community Engagement & Representation
• Serve as a public ambassador for SaskExpress’ artistic work.
• Build and maintain relationships with artists, arts organizations, schools, community partners, and funders.
• Support marketing and development initiatives by participating in interviews, promotional events, and donor engagement activities.
• Promote and advocate SaskExpress’ role as a leader in musical theatre training and performance in Saskatchewan.
• Administrative & Operational Collaboration
• Work closely with the Executive Director to ensure artistic decisions align with budgetary and operational realities.
• Participate in season planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Provide artistic input for grant applications, fundraising initiatives, and strategic planning.
• Ensure compliance with safety, equity, and professional standards in all artistic activities.
• Recommend capital purchases related to artistic programming
• Ensure administrative responsibilities and reports are completed and submitted in a timely fashion

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in artistic leadership, directing, choreography, or arts education within a theatre or performing arts organization.
• Experience working with youth and adult performers in both training and production settings.
• Demonstrated experience producing or directing musical theatre.
• Experience with touring productions or multi-site programming is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong artistic vision and understanding of musical theatre, dance, and performance training.
• Script development, writing and adaption
• Excellent leadership, mentorship, and team-building skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to balance artistic ambition with organizational capacity and financial considerations.
• Knowledge of production processes, design disciplines, and technical theatre.
• Ability to work collaboratively with administrative leadership and creative teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to express artistic vision for purposes of grant and fundraising applications.

Working Conditions

• Full-time position based in Regina, Saskatchewan.
• Evening and weekend work required during rehearsals, performances, and touring periods.
• Travel required for touring, community engagement, and studio oversight.