The Merc Playhouse

creating experiences which connect our community to the diverse aspects of live theater

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  • ON STAGE
    • 2023 Season >
      • 2023 Auditions
    • Calendar
  • Events & Rentals
    • Camps and Classes >
      • Previous Camps & Classes
    • Rentals
  • Join & Support
    • DONATE
    • Friends of The Merc
    • Business Sponsors
    • Partners
  • In the Spotlight
  • Tom Zbyszewski Children's Theater
  • Inside the Merc
    • History
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Venue Info
    • Privacy Policy
    • Photo Gallery

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Merc Playhouse seeks an Executive Director

3/9/2022

 
Would you like to play a vital role in connecting our local community to live theater?

The Merc Playhouse seeks an Executive Director for our  popular community venue that offers theater productions, music and lectures. The Executive Director works with the Board of Directors to fulfill the mission of The Merc Playhouse Society “
to create experiences which connect our community with the diverse aspects of live theater.”


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Part-time
Approximately 20 hours per week with flexible schedule dependent on performance calendar.

Salary: Starting $30,000

Application period ends April 1, 2022

Desirable qualifications of the ideal candidate include: 

  • Experience working with non-profit organizations, theaters preferred
  • Knowledge of how to develop and maintain an annual budget
  • Experience in fundraising activities
  • Understanding of how to acquire, implement and monitor grants
  • Possession of strong written and oral communication skills
  • Personal interest and experience in theater production not required, but desirable

Interested candidates may apply by submitting a letter of interest, a resume of related experience, and email and phone details of two references to info@mercplayhouse.org. 

Questions?  Call 509.997.7529 or email address above.

Executive Director Job Description

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and works closely with the Board and staff to fulfill the mission of The Merc Playhouse Society, which is “to create experiences which connect our community with the diverse aspects of live theater.” The Executive Director is responsible for the overall success of The Merc Playhouse.

The Executive Director works an average of 20 hours per week, throughout the 52 weeks of the year.  The hours are largely dependent on the performance schedule throughout the year. Often, the ED will work more than 20 hours in a week, which balances out during vacation time and holidays.
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Duties Include:

  • Acts as a guiding force and advocate for The Merc in the Methow Valley community, including among local business groups and art organizations.
  • Synchronizes the operations of all staff into the total operations of The Merc to fulfill the theater’s mission.
  • Provides leadership for and actively participates in fundraising activities and donor development.
  • Seeks grants. Writes grant applications and grant reports. Maintains information on grant history.
  • Coordinates long-range and annual planning in collaboration with the Board of Directors pertaining to fundraising, annual appeals, and business sponsorships.
  • Hires and supervises the theater’s staff.
  • Oversees the theater’s administrative operations, marketing, permits and licensing.
  • Collaborates with and supports the Education Committee in work related to educational programming.
  • Sets the annual budget with the finance committee and presents it to the board for approval. Ensures adherence to the budget quarterly and within each production. Provides monthly reports to the treasurer.
  • Oversees bookkeeper and bookkeeping activity.
  • Records all donations and oversees prompt acknowledgement and thanks.  Maintains an organized database of donors and sponsors.
  • Works with the board chair to plan monthly board meetings and special meetings, and attends board meetings, committee meetings, and special meetings.

Welcome Stephen Kish, The Merc's new Technical Director!

10/13/2016

 
After nearly three years working at The Merc on all things related to Technical Production, Mike Doran recently passed the TD baton on to Stephen Kish.  First of all, we would like to thank Mike for countless hours working in rehearsals, in productions, and with our rental folks. His dedication to the theater helped increase the quality of our lighting capabilities. Since the start of 2014, he has done an excellent job transitioning us to the technology we now use. We are sad to see him go, but we are also very excited to introduce his replacement, Stephen Kish.
 
Kish joined us in August and he’s been hard at work learning the ropes. The TD is not only responsible for lighting – he is in charge of every aspect of the technical side of live theater and all of our technical equipment.  It’s a big job, and we are very excited to have Kish join our team!
 
Before moving to The Methow Valley, Kish was at The McMurdo Station in Antarctica working in the Recreation department.  As a stage manager for the three local venues, he was in charge of live music production and running sound and lights. Some of the biggest challenges of his job were the off-site mobile productions, including the annual ‘Icestock’ outdoor music festival.
 
Kish has composed music and played guitar in several touring bands. He’s performed in a myriad of venues and on many different stages: dive bars, theaters, symphony halls, coffee shops & mountaintops, festivals, research bases and amphitheaters.  He’s even played in a helicopter hanger, he’s been a busker on street corners, and he’s played on a flat-bed trailer in Antarctica at Icestock six different times!  His music has brought him to Jamaica, New Zealand, Tanzania, Tasmania, New Orleans, Hollywood, and across the US.  He’s is always searching for more ears to tickle, and more stages with which to become acquainted, so The Merc is a natural next step!
 
Kish’s journey to the Methow began in Spring 2013 at the Southern Terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail in Campo, CA on the border with Mexico. He and his wife Deneen walked to Winthrop via the PCT, covering 2600 miles! After one last deployment to McMurdo Station, supporting scientific research for the United States Antarctic Program, they found themselves at North Cascades Mountain Hostel – Deneen was the manager and he helped out around the hostel.  During this time, he took a musical sabbatical to focus on classical guitar which culminated in founding the Winthrop Guitar Studios, where he now teaches guitar lessons.
 
Over the years Stephen Kish has played many parts - musician, guitar teacher, mountaineer, Antarctican – now we are thrilled to welcome him in his new role as Technical Director at The Merc.  He’s excited about joining our team too, “I love the space, the crew, and our mission. I look forward to bringing creative zest and positive energy, and to engage those curious seekers, and delight them with our magical part of the Globe.”

Welcome Kish!

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The Merc Playhouse | 101 S. Glover Street | PO Box 425 | Twisp, WA 98856 | 509.997.7529 | info@mercplayhouse.org

The Merc Playhouse is a registered 501(c)3.