Literary Manager

Bramble Theatre Company; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 3,300 - 7,000; Part time

Job summary

Bramble Theatre Company in Chicago seeks a part-time analytical and organized Literary Manager to oversee submissions, script development, and season planning. Reporting to the Artistic Director, the role includes managing the script database, building relationships with playwrights and agents, and contributing ideas for the season.

This contractor position offers a starting stipend with potential growth as hours and responsibilities expand.

Qualifications

• Passion for new work and the artistic development process for new plays.
• Strong dramaturgical instincts.
• Analytical, organized, reliable, and able to manage time well.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with constructive feedback.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee play submissions and track entries.
• Maintain Bramble’s script database.
• Read and evaluate script submissions.
• Assist with season selection planning and shortlist recommendations.
• Oversee Bramble’s season-committee and its processes.
• Build relationships with playwrights and agents.
• Solicit prospective scripts for development and production.
• Attend local readings and performances to scout talent when possible.
• Attend Bramble events and meetings as scheduled.
• Perform other literary duties as needed.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Time management

Communication

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Tools

Excel

Google Suite

Job description

Bramble Theatre Company, an ensemble theatre based in Andersonville’s Bramble Arts Loft, is seeking a part-time analytical and organized Literary Manager.

Bramble’s mission is to create powerful new theatre that both nourishes and challenges our community to explore the question of what it is to be Human. By fostering an Artist-first culture that inspires hope and innovation, we strive to be a leading voice in this emerging era of American Theatre.

Bramble produces a season of three theatrical events: a smaller scale production in late winter/early spring, our summer Festival of Unfinished Work that presents 6 staged scenes from plays-in-progress, and a full-scale show in the fall. Additionally, we produce staged readings throughout the year, primarily through our Parlor Reading Series, and host various fundraising and community-building events in between our major productions.

Reporting directly to the Artistic Director, the Literary Manager will oversee play submissions, solicit scripts, network with playwrights, and assist with season selection planning. The Literary Manager’s work will ensure that Bramble continues to meet its core artistic mission.

Bramble Theatre Company is committed to ongoing anti-racist workshops and training for our staff and ensemble members. The Literary Manager will be included to participate in this work with the rest of our company members.

This role is a flexible hybrid work position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and track incoming play submissions
• Be responsible for Bramble’s script database
• Read and evaluate play submissions
• Assist the Artistic Director with season selection planning, including contributing ideas and recommending a shortlist of scripts for consideration
• Oversee and manage Bramble’s season selection literary committee
• Foster relationships with playwrights and agents
• Solicit prospective scripts for development and production
• Attending local readings and performances to scout for new talent as time allows
• Attend Bramble events and meetings as scheduled
• Other literary and dramaturgical duties as assigned and mutually agreed upon

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Passion for new work and the artistic development process for new plays
• Strong dramaturgical instincts
• Comfortable working both collaboratively on a team and independently
• Analytical, organized, reliable, and comfortable managing their own time
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to give respectful and constructive feedback
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Experience as a literary manager, dramaturg, or arts administrator preferred
• Proficiency with Excel and Google Suite.
• Connection to local playwrights and the Chicago theatre community is a plus

COMPENSATION

This is a contractor position with a starting stipend of $300/month for approximately 15 hours/month on average. For the right candidate, we anticipate potentially increasing the hours and scope of this position up to a stipend of $625/month for approximately 30 hours/month on average.