🏢 Company: West Michigan Youth Ballet
🇺🇸 Location: United States
🌎 Work Model: On-Site
About West Michigan Youth Ballet
WMYB is a nonprofit youth ballet company committed to providing pre-professional dancers, ages 8-18, with exceptional performance opportunities. We present two large-scale productions annually, including beloved classics such as The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, along with community outreach programs and educational workshops. Our mission is to foster artistic excellence, discipline, and a lifelong love of ballet.
The Artistic Director
The Artistic Director has overall responsibility for the artistic direction of the company and for the development and implementation of its artistic vision. The Artistic Director reports to the West Michigan Youth Ballet Board and works in equal partnership with the Executive Director. The Artistic Director will need to collaborate with the Artistic team.
Duties: Company Overview
· Bring to the stage two full length ballets annually and at least a one-week Summer Intensive in line with the organization’s mission· Articulate the program for the purposes of attaining funding from grants and sponsors· Compile an artistic report for each board meeting and other reports as required· Community engagement performances and master classes as needed
Duties: Artistic
· Ensure new works are age appropriate and are aligned with our organization’s mission and vision· Ability to create, lead, and choreograph original full-length Ballets· Acquire the artistic teams required to undertake the works defined in the programs including but not limited to guest choreographers and dancers· Facilitate the artistic vision of each production by collaborating with guest choreographers, costumers, designers, performers, technicians and other artistic personnel· Choreograph parts of the ballet as needed and set the choreography· Rehearse or oversee the rehearsal process of each production and maintain the quality of performances in theaters and at community or corporate events
Youth Membership
· Coordinate production auditions in a master class style· Finalize casting roles for the ballet and place students into roles collaborating with the casting team consisting of the Artistic Advisor and Costume Designer· Advise and nurture company members as well as those interested in joining WMYB or those embarking on future for dance· Create letters of recommendation for students applying for apprenticeships, college applications, summer programs, etc.
Community Outreach
· Participate in community outreach initiatives guided by the principles of the company’s work· Liaise with the youth arts and other relevant sectors in developing programs· Advocate for young people in the performing arts roles
Media/Publicity
· Act as a company spokesperson for the media· Write the Artistic Director letter for the playbill and website· Attend media events as required
Personal Description/Selection Criteria
Essential knowledge and skills: · Demonstrated passion and ability to work with children ages 8 – 18 years old· Recognizes expertise in performance practice· Knowledge of current trends in performing arts, with particular reference to dance and theater· Ability to exercise exciting and inspirational leadership· Knowledge of performance production processes including budgeting· Experience in working as a member of a creative team· Understanding of and a willingness to implement collaborative processes· Demonstrated ability to network, lobby, and be an advocate for youth arts in West Michigan· Excellent communication skills with artists and with representatives from all the company’s key stakeholders
Operations
· Edit music and prepare back-up copies for performances· Attend all in theater rehearsals· Communicate with theater technical staff during in-theater rehearsals· Communicate budgetary needs of performances to the Board Treasurer· Lead pre and postproduction meetings· Attend Operation meetings· Create weekly rehearsal schedules during production season· Work in collaboration with artistic team