Associate Dramaturg - The Public Theater

Leading the Public Theater?s artistic scouting across both NYC and nationally, the Associate Dramaturg identifies significant writers for the Public to invest in. This position is the driving advocate for the next generation of American playwrights, spanning over the next 10 years!The Associate Dramaturg leads the Public?s artistic scouting both across NYC and nationally. By identifying the significant writers the Public Theater will invest in over the next ten years this position is the driving advocate for the new generation of American playwrights.The Associate Dramaturg will report to the Director of New Artists and the Company Dramaturg.Key Duties & responsibilitiesSurvey Survey productions, workshops, readings and other developments of new theatrical work in New York City and other theater hubs. This includes attending festivals, public readings, private readings, premieres in smaller non-profit theaters, and following up leads quickly and assiduously. This survey is the primary entry point for future artists to the Public Theater, as well as being the department?s primary set of eyes and ears on the ground, enabling the Director of New Artists and Company Dramaturg to make key artistic decisions.Compile audits and assessments of artistsThe Associate Dramaturg will work to survey the grassroots of American Theater and make key assessments of which artists and when the Public Theater should invest in them. The timing and pertinence of these commissions is crucial. The writers? background, motivations, inspirations, influences, ambitions and skills-base are all assessed and considered. This assessment is fed directly into department discussions, senior artistic discussions and conversations with the Artistic Director.DramaturgyAssist Company Dramaturg and Director of New Artists with dramaturgy for early career artists, with specific attention given to The Public Studio performances. Work with Company dramaturg and Director of New Artists in overseeing the application and selection process for the Emerging Writers Group, and other residencies.Provide development expertise to the Producing Department When working with new playwrights the success of each project depends on constructing a nuanced and sophisticated set of parameters around each project. These parameters can only be described, designed and established by having intimate knowledge of the artist?s methods. The Associate Dramaturg (New Writing) provides that expertise.Manage relationships with the wider community of artists90% of artists we read, watch and encourage will not be produced by the Public Theater. The Associate Dramaturg is responsible for setting the tone of rejection letters, maintaining respectful and cordial relationships with disappointed artists, and keeping the Public Theater at the heart of the dynamic theater conversation of America.Evolve and maintain the Emerging Writers GroupThe Emerging Writers Group is the first rung of the development structure within the Public Theater for early career playwrights. This is an ever-evolving bespoke two-year session for playwrights who the Public Theater want to produce. Along with the Company Dramaturg and Director of New Artists, the Associate Dramaturg makes a detailed assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of each playwright and sets a series of dramaturgical challenges. The Associate Dramaturg assists the Company Dramaturg and Director of New Artists with the producing of the bi-annual EWG Spotlight Series.Lobby for production & develop fundsThe Associate Dramaturg assists the Director of New Artists with lobbying for funding for artists in the wider environment: identifying prizes and residencies for playwrights, identifying trusts, charities and benefactors who support artists, guiding new playwrights through the nationwide funding support structures that exist in the American Theater.Manage, evolve and maintain the in-house programs for artistsThe Associate Dramaturg assists the Company Dramaturg with all artistic residencies, fellowships and chairs at The Public Theater, including the Master Writer Chair, the Tow Fellowship, Van Lier Fellowships and other residencies to come over the next five years, especially as these programs begin to intersect with the new studios at 440 Lafayette Street.Other duties as requiredThe New Work Department will require other day-to-day duties to be performed at the request of the Director of New Artists. These will include coordination of projects, managing new initiatives, and contributing to the running and evolving of this new department over the next few years.Requirements?Must be committed to The Public Theater?s mission of theater of, by and for the people?Must posses excellent written and oral communications skills, a passion for both new and existing plays?Must have experience interacting with playwrights in a dramaturgical capacity?Must have experience building connections across lines of difference?Deep knowledge of the theater field in New York City and the US a plus?Position requires frequent evening commitments and monthly work-related domestic travel ?Fluency in Spanish a plusIn order to apply, please send your cover letter, resume, and salary expectations to jobs@publictheater.org