Interim Senior Producer Application Pack 2021 - Eclipse Theatre

Interim Senior Producer
Application Pack 2021

About Us

"The company making strides in telling Black Britain’s lost stories.” The Stage

Eclipse Theatre, based in Leeds, is a nationally significant organisation with a deep
commitment to the North of England and to an international reach. A National
Portfolio Organisation funded by Arts Council England, Eclipse is a charity and a
company limited by guarantee. We have a talented and dedicated team of two
permanent staff and numerous freelance artists, producers, practitioners, and casual
staff who deliver our artistic productions. Alongside the Interim Senior producer role,
Eclipse is currently recruiting a new Creative Director and Joint Chief Executive to lead
the organisation. Our annual turnover, based on the financial year 2019/20, is
approximately £677,000 and our work is funded through four main sources: Arts
Council England, other public and international funds, trusts and foundations, and
earned income including box office income.

As one of the UK’s most innovative, Black-led touring companies we inspire new
narratives about the Black experience. We commission, develop, produce and present
new work by Black creatives in partnership with venues and collaborators. We believe
in the power of culture to connect people together and to change lives. We are
inspired by the idea generators, writers, directors, actors, digital artists, filmmakers,
thinkers, and creative teams whose work we produce.

We are focused on touring work at mid-scale and developing work-in-progress directly
with makers - enabling UK theatres to present new plays by Black British writers and
directors. We exist to provide relevant and exciting work to our audiences. We are
proud to have proved that there are audiences for Black work outside of London (read
The R Report, Eclipse 2018).

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Arts Council England in our most recent assessment for the
Creative Case for Diversity, this remains a key driver at the heart of our mission,
reflecting the diversity of England by championing and producing Black stories. We
prioritise the voices of those who were born, live/work or have a strong connection
with the North. As one of the few, and vitally important, non-white led NPOs, over the
last 12 years we have provided strong, responsive leadership in artistic innovation and
talent development. We are active in our commitment to making change in relation to

culture, race, diversity, and inclusion on stage, in creative teams, in organisations and
across the wider cultural sector.

Eclipse continues to shape the theatre sector, supporting artists, making work of
critical acclaim, reaching new audiences, and providing mentorship and opportunities
to a whole new generation of makers and leaders. In recent years, Eclipse has gone
through significant change, moving locations from Sheffield to Leeds in 2019,
redefining its mission, strengthening its financial resilience, and building wider
networks in Leeds and beyond. This change continues as we all
move into recovery following the global pandemic. This new role is part of the
continued change to build on Eclipse’s strengths and sense of purpose for
the future.

Our Work

We have an extraordinary history, having started from an Arts Council England report
and then an initiative (in 2003) aimed at addressing the absence of Black
theatre on the regional middle-scale touring network.

Over six years, a consortium of regional theatres with Steven Luckie and then Gemma
Emanuel-Waterton as Eclipse Producer toured the following: Moon on a Rainbow
Shawl by Errol John, Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht, adapted by
Oladipo Agboluaje, Little Sweet Thing by Roy Williams, Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov,
adapted by Mustapha Matura and Angel House by Roy Williams. Eclipse was then
established as a company by Dawn Walton OBE in 2010.

Since 2008, we have delivered co-productions and presentations with Leeds
Playhouse, Young Vic, Sheffield Crucible, HOME Manchester, Royal Exchange, Hull
Truck, and others. Eclipse’s work on stages has produced numerous nominations for
awards: Alfred Fagon Best New Play Award 2018 for Princess & The Hustler, UK Theatre
‘Best New Play’ and Writer’s Guild ‘Best Play’ 2019 for Black Men Walking; Best
Touring Production, UK Theatre Awards for A Raisin in the Sun and TMA Award for Best
Director Award for The Hounding of David Oluwale.

Recent Projects:

The Gift by Janice Okoh
At the beginning of 2020, our most unusual year to date and as Covid-19 loomed, we
toured The Gift, our co-production with Belgrade Theatre Coventry, which attracted:

8,500 audiences
34% new attenders to venues (UK average - 15%)
6 times the proportion of ethnically diverse attenders compared to UK average

“An uncomfortable but rewarding play of stories we can't forget.” ★★★★★ Coventry
Telegraph

Eclipse Commissioned Artists
In 2020, Eclipse supported and worked alongside the following commissioned artists to
develop new works: Olivia Hannah, Houmi Miura, Dorcas Sebuyange and Keisha
Thompson.

The Eclipse Award
Launched by Eclipse and Summerhall in response to the lack of Black artists presenting
work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The award package includes a £10,000 bursary,
a run at one of Summerhall’s venues, marketing and PR support, technical and
producing guidance, Fringe registration and a planned package of care. Our 2020
winners Inititative.dkf will present work at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

The Role

This is an exciting role for an experienced producer, to help Eclipse continue its
momentum at the forefront of delivering diverse programming in theatre. The Interim
Senior Producer will support the development of new commissions and productions
for small and mid-scale touring, oversee a curated programme of online activities, and
support pre-production planning for future work, including Eclipse’s contribution to
Leeds 2023 year of culture.

This is a unique opportunity to propel Eclipse’s work online and deliver an exciting new
hybrid programming offer that includes socially distanced work and work on stage, as
we move towards cultural recovery across the North of England.

Ideally, you will be familiar with Leeds, Yorkshire and the surrounding areas. It is
expected that in line with current guidelines, much of your initial work will be
delivered remotely. You will be an experienced producer (5+ years, any
discipline/scale) who is well connected with a keen understanding of producing and
delivering work built on high-quality relationships, solid artistic instincts, and genuine
attention to detail.

You will enjoy working directly with artists and be undaunted negotiating with senior
leaders and stakeholders. You will have a calm professional outlook and a can-do
attitude around delivering projects with ambition and confidence.

Job title:                            Interim Senior Producer

Reports to:                           Interim CEO (new leadership thereafter)

Responsible for:                      Other freelance producers and temporary teams

Working relationships:                Artists, Writers, Creative Teams, Co-Producers,
                                      Venues, Eclipse Trustees, Interim CEO, General
                                      Manager, Marketing Manager

Salary:                               £36,000 pro-rata

Hours:                                 Approx. 3 days per week, assuming a minimum of
                                       21 hours per week, with occasional evenings and
                                       weekends

Contract:                              Fixed term, Freelance contract, ending Dec 2021
                                       (with the possibility of extension)

Location:                              Eclipse is based at Mabgate Mills, Leeds but the
                                       team are currently working remotely in line with
                                       Covid-19 restrictions

Closing date:                          Midday, Friday 21 May

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Providing temporary day to day management of the producing function – supporting
the Interim CEO, incoming Creative Director and Joint Chief Executive and Executive
Director and Joint Chief Executive, in ensuring that all 2021 productions and spring
2022 events are fully planned, contracted and early stage producing is presented to
high production values.

This will include:

   •     Working with existing partners and artists to help design and refine their events
         and productions.

   •     Managing relationships with co-producers, working with the Executive Director
         and Joint Chief Executive on negotiations of contracts with companies, venues,
         and commissions.

   •     Overseeing the time-lining and scheduling functions for public programming
         and productions, working with the Eclipse team on short-term project and
         organisational planning.

   •     Working closely with Eclipse’s General Manager and Marketing Manager to
         provide them with accurate information as your project(s) develop and change.

   •     Negotiating with artist/creative team fees and drafting and issuing contracts
         using Eclipse’s contracting systems and templates.

   •     Researching, identifying and applying for appropriate funding sources for
         projects and programming in consultation and with support from the Eclipse
         Team and the members of the Board of Trustees supporting programme
         development.

   •     Managing information about the project and sharing this with Eclipse teams,
         any external consultants (e.g. PR & Press) and artists, especially coordinating

copy, images, press releases; the creation of trailers or live streams or audience
    monitoring content between partners.

•   Providing regular updates to the Eclipse team currently supporting programme
    development, commissions and reporting also at weekly team meetings.

•   Leading on the budget planning of planned events and productions for 2021
    and early 2022 in consultation with the Eclipse leadership and General
    Manager

•   Working within Eclipse’s agreed finance and accountancy procedures, as set
    out by General Manager, and later the new Eclipse Leadership. This will include
    the speedy and accurate updating of budget projections and cash flows,
    together with the provision of other financial information as required.

•   Undertaking project administration and logistics, and all personal
    administration.

•   Ensuring all licensing, risk assessments, insurance, checks, policies and
    processes are in place for each production with support from Executive
    Director and Joint Chief Executive and General Manager.

•   Contributing to the production and operations plans, incorporating AV, tech
    setup and other logistics, to ensure events run smoothly.

•   Developing a production appraisal system, including a green-lighting process
    and fortnightly programming meetings, ensuring progress is tracked and
    communicated across the team.

•   Ensuring that appropriate evaluation is undertaken for each event.

•   Undertaking project administration and logistics, and all personal
    administration and keep up to date records about meetings, action points and
    outcomes.

•   Where appropriate, representing Eclipse at meetings with partners and
    stakeholders.

•   Undertaking speaking engagements when required.

•   Line managing temporary freelance producers and curators.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Skills and experience

Experience of:

    •     Producing small to middle scale touring theatre productions.

    •     Producing co-productions.
          - experience of presenting work at festivals and specifically the Edinburgh
          Festival Fringe is also desirable.

    •     Supporting the commissioning process of new work.

    •     Producing work to be presented on stage, in communities and digitally.

    •     Producing or making work that understands the Black experience.

    •     Working with artists and creative teams.

    •     Project monitoring, evaluation and report writing.

Skills:

    •     Strong financial and budget management skills.

    •     Strong written and verbal communication skills.

    •     Ability to think strategically.

    •     A positive attitude with a high level of self-motivation and ability to work on
          your initiative.

    •     Ability to multi-task within agreed timelines in a constantly ‘gear-changing’
          environment.

    •     A broad understanding of contract, employment and equality legislation.

    •     Proven track record in fundraising and development.

    •     Effective negotiation skills and a good working knowledge of the UK theatre
          sector.

How to apply

To apply for the post, please send an up-to-date CV; a covering letter outlining (in no
more than two pages) your suitability for this role; contact details for two referees
who can be contacted if you are to reach interview stage; and a completed Equal
Opportunities Monitoring Form.

Send all documents to: recruitment@eclipsetheatre.org.uk by midday, Friday 21 May.

Recruitment Schedule

The process will include a task, presentation, and interview.

Deadline: midday, Friday 21 May
Interviews: Tuesday 1 June

Eclipse actively encourages applications from those with less visibility in the arts. We
specifically welcome applications from women, people with disabilities and those from
Black, Asian, ethnically diverse and international backgrounds with right to work.

If you have any access requirements, please let us know.

We look forward to hearing from you.