ARTISTIC DIRECTOR APPLICATION PACK

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR APPLICATION PACK

ABOUT THE UNICORN The Unicorn is the UK s leading professional theatre for young audiences, dedicated to inspiring and invigorating young people of all ages, perspectives and abilities, and empowering them to explore the world on their own terms through theatre. Year-round, the Unicorn works with some of the world s most exciting theatre-makers to produce, present and tour a surprising, innovative and broad range of work that is honest, refreshing and international in outlook. The Unicorn aims to change the perception of UK children s theatre for ever. At the Unicorn, we believe in: bringing art to young people and young people to art pushing the boundaries of what theatre for young audiences can be opening our doors to everyone speaking to the audience of today, not just creating the audience of the future diversity. Because the world is diverse. At the Unicorn, we strive to push the boundaries of imagination in everything that we do, welcoming families, schools, and young people for unforgettable theatrical experiences that will expand horizons, change perspectives, and challenge how we all see and understand each other.

STRUCTURE OF THE UNICORN The Unicorn was founded in 1947 by Caryl Jenner, with the aim that the best of theatre for children should be judged on the same high standards of writing, directing, acting and design as the best of adult theatre, a value which still holds very much true today. Since its early days as a touring company, the Unicorn has become a key player, not only in children s theatre in the UK but across Europe, and within the ecology of British theatre as a whole. The Unicorn moved into its current purpose-built home in Tooley Street in 2007 and currently stages around 15 shows a year, the majority in-house productions and commissions, and enjoys a reputation as a leading innovator in new work. Since autumn 2011, the Unicorn has been jointly run by a Chief Executive team of Purni Morell (Artistic Director) and Anneliese Davidsen (Executive Director), working to a Board of Trustees. The theatre is subsidised by Arts Council England and is currently the fourth highest-funded theatre in London, with 1.3m annually committed until 2022 following a 300,000 grant uplift in 2015. In 2015 the Unicorn was nominated for The Stage London Theatre of the Year alongside the Young Vic and the Almeida. Between 2011 and 2018, the company will have produced and presented 140 theatre productions, and toured 30 in the UK and internationally, to young audiences of over 400,000. The Unicorn has a turnover of 2.8 million, with around 20% of turnover coming from Box Office with almost all tickets being sold to children at concessionary rates and a similar amount from fundraising.

The theatre s audiences are broadly defined as families and schools, and the theatre currently plays to all ages from six months to adulthood. The Unicorn has a unique and in-depth Learning Programme in schools, a busy range of Accessible performances, and has developed a strong programme of activities out in the community. Commercial activities café, merchandise, events are growing fast. The Unicorn has strong relationships with a number of European theatre-makers and companies, with a recent history of co-producing partnerships with and presentations of major overseas work. The Unicorn s business priorities are: To maintain the Unicorn s position as an artistic innovator in the cultural life of the UK and beyond To maintain a stable business model To build reputation and brand, including abroad To work with schools and the community to maintain access to the arts for all London s children To represent the diversity of London To ensure the future viability of the Unicorn, creating a strong rolling legacy for the theatre s next custodians.

STAFF STRUCTURE BOARD x2 companies Purni Morell Anneliese Davidsen Artistic Director Executive Director Technical Dir of Marketing Development Head of Director & Communications Director Finance Freelance Producer Learning Community Development General artists Associate Projects Director Associate Manager Production Manager Lead Drama Marketing Schools Events Box Office Development Development Finance Practitioner Manager Relationship Producer Mgr Manager Executive Officer Mgr (T&Fs) Senior Technician Production Technician Technician Company Building Marketing Schools Development Stage Door Finance Technician Coordinator Stage Manager Officer Officer Administrator Admin (p-t) Assistant (p-t) Manager Deputy FOH Deputy FOH Box Office Manager Manager Supervisor Front of House Box Office Stage Door Keeper Casuals Casuals Casuals

THE ROLE OF ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CO-CHIEF EXECUTIVE The Board of the Unicorn Theatre seeks to appoint a visionary and dynamic Artistic Director to work alongside the Executive Director to lead the theatre into its eighth decade. The main scope of the Artistic Director s activity can be outlined as: Defining the artistic programme and providing artistic leadership (on both stages, on tour, digitally) The development of new talent, and curating the theatre s artistic relationships Representing the theatre in wider debate and social engagement Leadership internal and external and profile (with the Executive Director) Long term organisational sustainability, health and resilience (with the Executive Director). The successful candidate will: Lead the Unicorn artistically, overseeing all the work on both the theatre s stages and beyond with determination and clarity, with final responsibility for the artistic programme and outputs, identifying creative opportunities and possibilities. S/he will build and nurture relationships and partnerships with companies and artists for the future good of the theatre and of children s theatre more broadly. Identify artists and ideas for development or commission, generating and supporting new initiatives and emerging talent. Support the schools and community programmes artistically and strategically, helping to engage the best possible artists in work with young people for their mutual benefit. Work with the Executive Director to identify opportunities for the future of the work onstage, and to build the profile and influence of the Unicorn for the long term artistic, financial and reputational wellbeing of the theatre. Be the public face of the Unicorn s profile-raising and fundraising activities, promoting and representing the theatre to stakeholders and collaborators. Alongside the Executive Director, present and report to the Board budgets, plans and progress, and guarantee the implementation of agreed Unicorn initiatives across the organisation.

The Board is looking for a candidate who can demonstrate the following skills: A strong and bold ambition for theatre for young audiences in 2017. Sound creative judgement, and a clear vision for the Unicorn as a leading UK theatre. First-hand experience of theatre-making as a Director, Programmer, Producer or theatre artist and an aptitude for building creative relationships. The ability to inspire, excite, lead and engage artists and colleagues, and to drive forward ideas. A demonstrable track record of managing production budgets. A knowledge of, or desire to explore, international theatre opportunities and collaborations. A demonstrable commitment to theatre as a medium for social change and an interest in advocating for the wider possibilities of theatre for inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity. To apply for this post, please send CV and covering letter outlining your artistic vision for the Unicorn, with our EO monitoring form, to Emma.Rees@unicorntheatre.com Salary: 50,000 per annum. The Board will consider applications for flexible working. Contract: Permanent, following a three month probationary period. Annual leave allowance is 25 days per annum, plus Bank Holidays, with one additional day to a maximum of 30 for each full year of service. The Unicorn offers a stakeholder pension scheme. Closing date for applications: 10am, Wednesday 29 November 2017 First Interviews: Friday 8 December 2017 If you need this information in an alternative Accessible format, please contact stagedoor@unicorntheatre.com. The Unicorn Theatre is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. The Unicorn Theatre is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applicants from the broadest range of backgrounds, with different skills and experiences to bring into our organisation. All candidates who identify as disabled and demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria will be invited for an interview, in line with the Equalities Act 2010.