Opportunities at Porchlight Music Theatre

Porchlight is Chicago’s center for music theatre thanks to the work of our dedicated and talented staff and artists. If you have skills and experience that would be an asset to our team, we’d love to meet you!

Porchlight Music Theatre is a professional, nonprofit Chicago theatre with an annual budget of about $2.5million. We are part of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, operating on a CAT II contract, as well as the Chicago Federation of Musicians.

Celebrating the past, present and future of this unique American art form for more than 25 years, Porchlight is in residence at the historic, intimate Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago’s Gold Coast, and completed the best-attended and highest-grossing season in its history just prior to the pandemic.

Porchlight delights more than 30,000 patrons each season with a three- to four-show Mainstage season of inventively reimagined classics, recent Broadway hits and new musical finds; a Porchlight Revisits series of rarely seen musicals in limited run with enhanced dramaturgy; a New Faces Sing Broadway cabaret series; and a free Broadway in your Backyard neighborhood-park concert series, in addition to educational programs for students of all ages through classes and camps, Chicago Public Schools and community partnerships. 

It’s an exciting time to be a part of Porchlight Music Theatre!

Check back later for more information about upcoming calls and auditions at Porchlight Music Theatre.

Job Postings

DEVELOPMENT

Development Director

Porchlight seeks a motivated and experienced individual to create and implement the annual strategic development plan, refining a structure for effective fundraising to meet the organization’s current and future financial needs in a sustainable and consistent way. With a specific focus on individual and major gifts, the Development Director fosters relationships with existing and potential individual donors, foundation funders, corporate sponsors/funders, and other public/private organizations in an effort to advance the organization’s mission. The Development Director directly supervises two full-time associates and grant writing consultant(s). 

DETAILED RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Annual Planning (25%)

  • Create and oversee execution of annual development planning, encompassing measurable objectives for major gifts, individual support, planned giving, private/government funding, corporate sponsorships/partnerships, and events, with strategies for identification/prospecting, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and recognition.
  • Oversee Development staff in data management, accurate record keeping, gift processing, fulfillment of donor benefits, gift recognition, strategies for moves management, and donor correspondence.
  • Create and maintain tracking reports to reflect and assure progress toward goals; share results with staff, Development Committee and Board on an ongoing basis.
  • Conceptualize and support creation of effective and compelling communications, solicitations, and proposals for funding/fundraising opportunities.
  • Develop a thorough understanding of Porchlight’s work and effectively communicate the organization’s accomplishments, goals, and strategies to prospective donors.

Major Donors (25%)

  • Support and expand a major gifts program that emphasizes identifying, cultivating, securing, and retaining major gifts that includes donor recognition, multi-year pledges, and a system for moving donor commitments forward.
  • Aggressively initiate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings with donors and prospects.
  • In conjunction with Board leadership and ED, create and execute an annual Board campaign to ensure 100% Board giving at consistently increasing levels.
  • Oversee portfolios of donors and assist relationship owners with managing their portfolios.

Events (20%)

  • Oversee, with Development staff, a portfolio of events, including opening night celebrations, ICONS Gala, Chicago Sings fundraising concert, and smaller donor events, as well as fundraising/engagement at performances, community events and education programs.
  • Manage logistics to ensure smooth-running events, achievement of goals, and exceptional donor experiences, collaborating with departments, vendors, venues and volunteers.
  • Implement strategies for converting event/performance attendees to donors and/or engage them in other meaningful ways post-event (e.g. committees, performances, board, etc.).
  • Serve as a knowledgeable and enthusiastic representative at performances and events.

Institutional Funding & Sponsorships (20%)

  • Manage outsourced grant writer(s) in writing and submitting letters of inquiry, applications, and reports by established deadlines. 
  • Ensure up-to-date grant calendar, case for support and other key data.
  • Collaborate with program areas to identify new funding opportunities. 
  • Aggressively initiate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings with existing and prospective funders/sponsors.

Other (10%)

  • Work with Development team/ED to create and manage the annual Development budget, reconciling with Finance department monthly.
  • Hire, manage and mentor development staff, prioritizing work and offering direction and support that ensures both effective results and engaged employees.
  • Provide support for the Porchlight Young Professionals associate board, helping to drive recruitment and maximizing PYP fundraising success. 
  • Provide fundraising support to staff, committees and board as needed. 
  • Serve as staff liaison to the Development Committee, consistently communicating with Chair(s), inspiring and supporting members, and ensuring committee work proceeds according to the annual plan and timeline.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum 7 years experience in development/fundraising 
  • Proven track record in setting and executing development strategy, establishing and developing solid donor relationships, and meeting fundraising goals
  • Excellent interpersonal, written/verbal communication, and presentation skills; ability to make a strong, effective case for support
  • Basic level of experience and comfort with donor databases (PatronManager experience preferred but not required)
  • Strong organizational and planning skills with ability to focus on strategic vision as well as day-to-day plans
  • Demonstrated ability to be self-directed and to handle multiple tasks and priorities
  • Team player with high level of initiative and professionalism 
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as performances, events or meetings require
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility and dedication to the mission of Porchlight Music Theatre

COMPENSATION

  • $100,000 annually, commensurate with experience
  • Optional individual PPO health insurance with at least 80% employer contribution for individual coverage; optional dental/vision coverage
  • Generous paid time off (PTO) and 10 paid holidays annually
  • Flexible hybrid work setting

CLOSING & APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please send a cover letter and resume via email to employment-intern@porchlightmusictheatre.org. Closing instructions in job postings. No phone calls, please. Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre field are strongly encouraged to apply.

EDUCATION

Teaching Artist

Porchlight is hiring Teaching Artists for all youth programs – specifically for in-school residencies and after-school programs. 

$25-35/hour plus paid prep time and travel stipend per class.

If you are interested (or know anyone who may be interested) in this role, send an email with your teaching resume attached to our Education Director, Rebeccah Singer, at rebeccah@porchlightmusictheatre.org! Please note, no cover letter required.

Responsibilities:

  • Work with Education Director and teaching team to plan, prepare, and execute classes upon agreed schedule 
  • Attend teachers’ meeting prior to the start of the teaching session and agreed upon number of continuing training and professional development sessions 
  • Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class and be ready to receive students at class time 
  • Not miss more than two classes per session 
  • Communicate the need for a sub as soon as possible to Education Director 
  • Participate in self evaluation and provide feedback on teaching team and class experience
  • Restore the classroom space after class each day 
  • Communicate the need for all printing and supplies as soon as possible, or purchase and submit reimbursement
  • Adhere to all deadlines for class communications including newsletters and programs 

How to Apply:

Please send your teaching resume to Education Director, Rebeccah Singer, at rebeccah@porchlightmusictheatre.org. Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre – especially residents of Chicago’s south and west side and Spanish speaking teaching artists – are strongly encouraged to apply.

INTERNSHIPS

Join the Team. Be a Porchlight Intern.

Porchlight Music Theatre’s Internship program is an opportunity for qualified college students, graduates and young professionals to learn in a hands-on environment as part of the staff of a non-profit theater. Porchlight offers internships in different categories: Artistic Administration, Education & Outreach, Development & Special Events, Marketing & PR/Publicity, and Artistic/Casting.

Porchlight Interns work closely with their departments on special projects and ongoing work. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. You can find more information about each internship in “more info”.

Questions? Email rebeccah@porchlightmusictheatre.org

Porchlight is NOT accepting applications for internships at this time. Thank you for your interest.

MORE INFO

Be a Part of Our Team As a Volunteer*

Porchlight Music Theatre welcomes volunteers to assist our staff on a variety of projects and events.

  • Volunteer benefits include complimentary tickets to Porchlight Music Theatre productions and events, as available.
  • Volunteers must complete and submit an application, and an interview will be conducted either in person or via phone.

For more information, please email info@porchlightmusictheatre.org, subject: Volunteer.

*Please note that theatre ushers are provided by The Saints, Volunteers for the Performing Arts. For information on how you can become a Saint, call (773) 529-5510.

I Want to Volunteer!

 

Script Submissions

Porchlight Music Theatre accepts full length scripts year-round from literary agents and theatre professionals with whom we have an existing professional relationship. We invite unrepresented writers to submit a brief bio, short synopsis, and ten pages of sample dialogue and music on CD or sent electronically.

More Info