Contract Production Manager

Raven Theatre; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 3,400 - 4,600; Full time

Job summary

Raven Theatre is seeking a contract Production Manager to oversee the productions of The Glass Menagerie and Tell Me I’m Not Crazy. The PM will collaborate closely with the Executive Artistic Director and General Manager to coordinate all production phases.

Candidates may be considered for one or both productions depending on availability; after the first production opens, a post-mortem will determine whether the contract is renegotiated for the second show.

Qualifications

• Schedule, attend, and conduct production meetings with the design team.
• Conduct no less than three production meetings that include a majority of the production staff.
• Take and distribute clear notes to production team members.
• Confirm action items and breakout meetings as necessary.
• Maintain deadlines for the production, as decided with the Executive Artistic Director and General Manager.
• Ensure that the technical director and master electrician are receiving documentation for the production in a timely manner with sufficient information.

Responsibilities

• Track production process and deliverables from pre-production to strike.
• Attend pre-production meetings and production events as specified.
• Maintain notes and track progress; manage receipts and budget documentation.
• Attend strike and arrange labor for all departments.

Skills

Production management

Budget tracking

Meeting coordination

Notes distribution

Job description

Raven Theatre Company is seeking applications for a contract production manager for the upcoming productions of THE GLASS MENAGERIE and TELL ME I’M NOT CRAZY. The PM will work directly with the Executive Artistic Director and General Manager of Raven Theatre.

Candidates can be considered for one or both of these productions, depending on availability. Following the first production’s opening, a post‑mortem will be held between the Production Manager, General Manager, and Executive Artistic Director as an opportunity for either party to move forward with the second production, at which point the contract will be renegotiated.

Stipend: $4000 per production, negotiable depending on experience in production management.

Track production process and deliverables from pre‑production to strike.

Attendance requirements:

• Pre‑production meetings
• First rehearsal
• Designer run
• All technical rehearsals and meetings
• Strike for the production

Pre‑production requirements:

• Schedule, attend, and conduct production meetings with the design team as needed.
• Conduct no less than three production meetings that include a majority of the production staff
• Take and distribute clear notes to production team members, producers
• Confirm action items and breakout meetings as necessary.
• Maintain deadlines for the production, as decided with the Executive Artistic Director and General Manager.
• Ensure that the technical director and master electrician are receiving documentation for the production in a timely manner with sufficient information.

Technical rehearsal requirements:

• Attendance at all technical rehearsals unless preapproved during the contracting process.
• Maintain notes for areas of productions and confirm execution and completion of notes
• Track production progress
• Collect and account for receipts from designers for labor and materials of the production, based on a provided budget.

Performance requirements:

• Read performance reports from the stage manager and confirm receipt of notes, follow through on department execution.
• Work with the Props Designer to maintain stock of consumables after opening and though the run of the production.
• Ensure that notes in the report about material repairs are acknowledged and completed

Strike requirements:

• Attend strike for the production, ensure labor is arranged for all departments.

KEY DATES:

• THE GLASS MENAGERIE
  Pre‑pro begins September 2026
• First read: week of January 11, 2027
• Designer Run: week of January 25, 2027
• Tech: week of February 1, 2027
• Previews: February 11-14
• Opening: February 17, 2027
• Closing: March 21, 2027
• TELL ME I’M NOT CRAZY (Co‑production with Rivendell Theatre Ensemble)
• Pre‑pro begins: December 2026
• First read: March 23, 2027
• Designer Run: week of April 4, 2027
• Tech: week of April 15, 2027
• Previews: April 22-29, 2027
• Opening: April 30, 2027
  Closing: June 13, 2027

Applications will be accepted until September 8th.