Northern Stage’s Director of Development leads Northern Stage’s fundraising efforts as part of an energetic and forward-thinking team. Northern Stage, in its 27th year of programming, is a dynamic LORT-D professional theater with a budget of $4 million in White River Junction, VT. The Theater is located near Dartmouth College at the crossroads of Vermont and New Hampshire and serves a passionate theater-going community with a mission “to change lives, one story at a time.”

The Director of Development will supervise two full-time development staff and will work closely with the Managing Director and Producing Artistic Director to raise $1.1+ million annually. Northern Stage is at an exciting juncture, having announced the public phase of an $8.5 million capital campaign in June 2024, with a total of $8.2 million raised to date.

The Director of Development reports to the Managing Director. Direct reports include the Assistant Director of Development and the Development Assistant. The Director of Development is a key member of the 7-member Leadership Team.

Northern Stage’s next Director of Development will be a creative problem solver, leading the fundraising efforts of our organization with professionalism and excitement. They will have a good sense of humor, a strong belief in the power of theater to change lives, and an attitude of flexibility in supporting a company that aspires to do great things. They will be resilient and able to overcome obstacles with the knowledge that Northern Stage can and must continue to thrive at a time when the theater industry has been deeply challenged.

The Director of Development’s primary responsibilities will be in the following areas:

Donor Relations and Development Communications 

• Oversee strategy and implementation plans for major donor qualification cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Maintain a portfolio of major donors and prospects with the capacity to make annual gifts of $5k+.
• Cultivate relationships with major donors, business leaders, foundations, and government agencies. 
• Draft major development communications, including annual fund letters, proposals, and other major solicitations.
• With Managing Director, manage grant writing efforts, including NEA and state-level grants, as well as private foundations. Manage reporting to foundation and government funders.
• With external consultant, continue to build planned giving initiative through newsletters, postcards, and email.

Board Relations

• Manage and inspire Board fundraising efforts. Serve as a staff lead for the Development Committee.

Departmental Leadership

• Lead and guide the development team, including conducting annual evaluations of the team members and regular departmental reviews of progress toward monthly and annual financial and engagement goals.
• Collaborate on solving institution-wide problems and issues with the Leadership Team.
• Oversee efficient internal department operations, including timely acknowledgment and processing of gifts, regular tracking of progress against budget (both income and expense), organization of internal systems and records management, consistent and comprehensive communications with donors (in coordination with the marketing department), and creating pledge agreements and other documents to secure gifts as needed. 

Events

• With Leadership Team, design and execute donor-focused engagement events surrounding public performances. Oversee planning and implementation of all donor and sponsor events.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years experience and proven track record of securing major gifts.
• Expert knowledge in principles, practices, and procedures of charitable giving.
• Demonstrated ability for strategic thinking in the setting of goals and accompanying action plans.
• Strong planning, strategy, financial, budgeting, analytical, and communication skills -- both written and verbal.
• Desire and ability to establish and maintain meaningful relationships with a wide range of donors.
• High degree of initiative, excellent attention to detail, ability to work as a team and also lead.
• A passion for the cultural arts.
• The ability to work some evenings/weekends to attend NS performances and represent NS at events.
• Computer proficiency and ability to master fundraising CRM software, Google Suite, and Excel.

COMPENSATION: The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $115,000, commensurate with experience. Northern Stage offers a wide range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan, PTO and holidays, relocation assistance, complimentary and discounted tickets to performances, discounted classes and summer camps, flexible and hybrid scheduling, and being part of a creative, innovative, theater family. 

START DATE: Position open until filled.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit the following materials to Managing Director Jason Smoller via Submittable:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two (2) development writing samples, including at least one direct appeal.
• Three (3) professional references, who will not be contacted without the approval of the candidate

All inquiries and materials will be confidential. Applications will not be acknowledged. 

We believe the most important and impactful art is made when we consider and commit to inclusion, diversity, equity and access both on and off of our stage. We highly encourage folks who are Black, Native or Indigenous, People of Color, Queer or Trans, Poor or Working Class, Disabled, Young, Elderly, and/or who speak English as a second language to apply. To learn more about Northern Stage, please visit our website: www.northernstage.org. 

Thank you for considering registering for Education Programs at Northern Stage.

  - To qualify for Sliding Scale, please fill out the form below to take advantage of our tuition support.
  - You will be required to submit the first two pages of the parents'/guardians' most recent federal income tax return. Without these documents we will not be able to process your submission.
  - If you believe you qualify for further financial aide, you may provide information about additional circumstances we should consider in our optional statement of need.
  - Northern Stage uses the Vermont Department for Children and Families Child Care Financial Assistance Sliding Fee Scales as a guideline.
  - Once submitted, your responses are valid through June 1, 2025 and will apply to all programs you participate in.

  Applications may be submitted through this Submittable form, postal mail, or email:

  Mail:
  Northern Stage
  Attn: Sam Empey
  76 Gates Street
  White River Junction, VT 05001

  Email:
  sempey@northernstage,org

  If you have any questions or concerns please contact Assistant Director of Education, Sam Empey, at sempey@northernstage.org.

Northern Stage, a LORT-D 240-seat regional theater in White River Junction, VT, seeks a temporary, overhire Carpenter for our upcoming production of Vermont Farm Project. Northern Stage produces a mainstage season, an education season, a New Works festival, and 4-6 other events year-round. This position reports directly to the Technical Director.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Build scenery according to technical drawings as directed by the Technical Director
• Assist with load-in for a mainstage production of Vermont Farm Project primarily focused on scenery and paints but helping additional departments as necessary.

Qualifications:

• One year of experience in professional shops. A combination of education and professional experience will be considered. 
• Knowledge of theatrical scenic building techniques.
• Ability to read construction drawings and paint elevations. Experience with AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks a plus.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to approach challenges collaboratively.
• Proficiency with hand and power tools.
• Comfortable working at heights in excess of 20 feet in a lift and on a tension mesh grid.
• Ability to safely lift 70 lbs.
• BA or BFA in technical theater a plus.

Job Type: 40 hours/week, two weeks of overhire employment

Contract Dates: 4/14/25-4/25/25

Compensation: $800/week.

Housing and Travel: to be provided by Northern Stage. 

How to apply: 

Submit the following materials:

• Resume
• Three (3) professional references
   

We believe the most important and impactful art is made when we consider and commit to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access both on and off of our stage. We highly encourage folks who are Black, Native or Indigenous, People of Color, Queer or Trans, Poor or Working Class, Disabled, Young, Elderly, and/or who speak English as a second language to apply. To learn more about Northern Stage, please visit our website: www.northernstage.org.

Northern Stage, a LORT-D 240-seat regional theater in White River Junction, VT, seeks an Associate Production Manager to join the full time staff. Northern Stage produces a mainstage season, an education season, a New Works festival, and 4-6 other events year-round. This position reports directly to the Production Manager and will work closely with Production Department Heads to help coordinate all production activity necessary to execute programming.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with the Production Manager to create seasonal and individual show production budgets and design milestones. Assist the Production Manager with the oversight and enforcement of design milestones for all departments and budgetary tracking, invoicing, and reconciliation.
• Assist in creating and maintaining accurate build, load-in, tech, and strike schedules for all departments. Track departmental progress during each phase and keep designers, production staff, and administration aware of any deviations/revisions that impact schedule or scope.
• Schedule and attend all production meetings, Department Heads meetings, tech notes sessions, designer runs, technical and dress rehearsals, and preview performances in conjunction with the Production Manager.
• Assist the Production Manager with scheduling, budgeting, and staffing external theater rentals and special events.
• Serve as the dedicated Production Safety Officer, making the safety of all production staff, creative team members, performers, work environments, procedures, and materials the utmost priority by ensuring compliance with all applicable safety standards and laws.
• Assist the Production Manager in hiring for all production staff positions.
• As needed, assist production departments with build, load-in, show run, and strike.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Three or more years professional theatrical production experience. A combination of educational and professional experience will also be considered.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organization skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to approach challenges collaboratively.
• Excellent numerical skills and attention to detail. Experience creating, managing, and adhering to budgets and overseeing production calendars and schedules.
• General knowledge of all aspects of technical theater.
• Knowledge of LORT AEA, SDC, & USA contracting a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and the Google Suite.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a box truck.
• Comfortable working at heights in excess of 20 feet in a lift and on a tension mesh grid.
• Ability to safely lift 50 lbs.
• BA or BFA in technical theater helpful.

Job Type: Full time, with some nights and weekends required 

Contract Dates: 5/26/2025 - 6/1/2026

Compensation: $46,000 - $52,000 per year BOE (salaried position)

Benefits: Northern Stage offers dental and life insurance and covers 100% of these premiums, and offers vision as an optional add-on with an employee contribution of $1/month. Accident insurance is available at an employee cost of $15/month. We offer an employee-funded 403(b) retirement account, an FSA, and pet insurance. There is a 60-day waiting period following hiring before Northern Stage benefits become active, with the exception of the 403(b) program which is active on the first day of employment.

PTO: All full time Northern Stage staff members are eligible for Paid Time Off according to our PTO policy, which includes 12 vacation days annually, personal days, sick leave, and parental leave.

Subsidized housing is available for lease through Northern Stage. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit the following materials to Josh Davis, Production Manager:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three (3) professional references

We believe the most important and impactful art is made when we consider and commit to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access both on and off of our stage. We highly encourage folks who are Black, Native or Indigenous, People of Color, Queer or Trans, Poor or Working Class, Disabled, Young, Elderly, and/or who speak English as a second language to apply. To learn more about Northern Stage, please visit our website: www.northernstage.org. 

Northern Stage, in its 27th year of programming, is a dynamic LORT-D professional theater with a budget of $4 million in White River Junction, VT. The Theater is located near Dartmouth College at the crossroads of Vermont and New Hampshire and serves a passionate theater-going community with a mission “to change lives, one story at a time.”

Education is a core part of Northern Stage’s mission. Northern Stage’s Education team seeks to enrich the lives of the students in the Upper Valley through engaging and varied theater education. We believe it is important to meet a student where they are on their artistic journey. Our hope is that their participation in Northern Stage programming will help them become confident, empathetic and thoughtful citizens. Northern Stage Education has a place for all who wish to enroll. The Education Associate is a vital part of the hardworking team that provides in-depth theater education and world-class youth productions. 

The Education Associate will report directly to the Co-Directors of Education and work closely with all staff and departments at Northern Stage. The Education Associate position is ideal for an early career theater educator looking to expand and grow their knowledge and experience.

General Education Responsibilities

• Assist the Co-Directors of Education in financial tracking for the department
• Attend weekly Team Art Meetings (a weekly meeting among the artistic, education and administrative staff)
• Update and maintain contact sheets for all educational programming
• Update calendars 
• Assist in the collection of student forms.

Summer Musical Theater Intensive

• Serve as the Youth Performance Coordinator for the Summer Musical Theater Intensive

Vacation Camps

• Serve as a Teaching Artist for camps in June, August, February and April.

Youth Ensemble Studio  (YES)

• Act as the Stage Manager for The Addams Family: Young@Parts in the Fall and The Spring Showcase
• Facilitate youth auditions throughout the year.
• Assist with parent/student communication throughout the year.

YES Jr

• Co-teach Fall Academy Days (a series of theater classes over the course of 3 weeks)
• Stage Manage the YES Jr production Twisted Tales in the winter.

YES Kids

• Co-teach the Fall and Spring sessions of YES Kids (ages 6-9)
• Help with lesson planning and structuring of the class

YES Next Stage

• Provide administrative help and assistance throughout the year
• Help to provide one on one monologue coachings throughout the year.

BridgeUP: Theater in The Schools

• Serve as an in school Teaching Artist  for the program
• Provide administrative help throughout the year

QUALIFICATIONS

• A college degree or at least 1 year of full time theater educator experience
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to be flexible and problem solve
• A love for working with students of all ages
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Maintaining a positive attitude throughout busy and stressful times

Compensation:  $844/week 

Contract Dates: 06/09/2025- 06/7/26

Job Type: Full time position - 40 hours a week. Schedule varies depending upon current education projects, but expect to work some nights, weekends and performances. 

Benefits: Northern Stage offers dental and life insurance and covers 100% of these premiums, and offers vision as an optional add-on. Accident insurance is available at an employee cost of $15/month. We offer an employee-funded 403(b) retirement account, an FSA, and pet insurance. There is a 60-day waiting period following your hiring date before Northern Stage benefits become active, with the exception of the 403(b) program, which is active on the first day of employment.

PTO: All full time Northern Stage staff members are eligible for Paid Time Off according to our PTO policy, which includes 12 vacation days annually, personal days, sick leave, and parental leave.

Subsidized housing is available for lease through Northern Stage. 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit the following materials to Sam Empey, Associate Director of Education:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Two (2) professional references

We believe the most important and impactful art is made when we consider and commit to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access both on and off of our stage. We highly encourage folks who are Black, Native or Indigenous, People of Color, Queer or Trans, Poor or Working Class, Disabled, Young, Elderly, and/or who speak English as a second language to apply. To learn more about Northern Stage, please visit our website: www.northernstage.org/education.