Interested in auditioning, volunteering or ushering? Then we're interested in meeting you! Click any of the tabs above to get started making Magic!
If you're interested in supporting Magic Theatre in a different way, you can donate via our secure online donation site. We've been named a 5-star non-profit by GreatNonprofits.org!
Magic Theatre is holding AEA auditions for:
Fool for Love by Sam Shepard, directed by Loretta Greco
on August 23, 11am-5pm
-and-
The Baltimore Waltz by Paula Vogel directed by Jon Moscone
on August 24, 10am-5pm
To reserve a slot, please email auditions@magictheatre.org with the character you’re interested in and your preferred times.
Auditions will take place in Magic’s Lounge at:
Fort Mason Center
2 Marina Blvd. Building D, 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94123.
Magic Theatre casts both Equity and non-Equity actors. In accordance with the Bay Area Theatre Contract Tier 4, Magic Theatre holds two Equity-only auditions for specific shows each year. These are on the Equity hotline at least three weeks prior to the audition and posted in the AEA office. Equity actors self-select for these auditions.
In addition, Magic Theatre holds one open call general audition per season. The open call for the 2016-2017 season occurred in May.
We do encourage headshot/resume submissions (to our auditions@ email) from both Equity and non-Equity throughout the year and which can result in an invitation to audition for a specific show.
Performers of all ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to attend.
Magic Theatre is one of this country’s foremost new works theatres. For over 48 years, Magic has inspired new generations of artists and audiences.
Each Magic Theatre Board Trustee plays a critical role in determining the course for continuing success of this thriving institution, which helps shape the cultural life of San Francisco and the entire Bay Area.
The Board of Trustees holds fiduciary responsibility for the organization and the hiring of the Artistic Director and the Marketing Director. Associated responsibilities are:
• Hiring and firing the Artistic Director and Managing Director (or the Producing Artistic Director, if the two positions are consolidated)
• Approving the annual budget
• Endorsing the strategic plan
• Recruiting, evaluating, and mentoring new board members
• Ensuring the financial stability of the organization
In addition, Magic Theatre Board Trustees advocate with audiences, donors, and in the community for the continued vitality and prosperity of the Theatre through the following activities:
• Subscribing to Magic Theatre for Opening Nights (if possible).
• Making a personal financial contribution of at least $5,000 to Magic Theatre each fiscal year.
• Other contributions (cash or in kind) are considered separate from this commitment.
• Including Magic Theatre among your top three philanthropic interests during your tenure on the Board.
• Attending board meetings.
• Attending the annual spring fundraiser; buying or selling at least one full table.
• Participating on at least one Board committee (Finance, Executive, Development; ad hoc committees as needed).
• Actively participating in activities, including introducing potential subscribers, donors, and board members to Magic; identifying and soliciting corporate sponsorships; adopting and attending tech dinners or closing potlucks.
• Participating in fundraising by writing notes to friends, identifying prospects, and assisting on “asks” from time to time.
Interest in the performing arts, preferably with theater as number one priority.
• Can make required time commitment.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Visionary: future orientation.
• Good communications skills; open-minded and articulate.
• Good team-builder and team member.
• Self-confident.
• Respected and respectful.
Understanding of non-profits in general and board matters in particular, such as major issues, policies and procedures, and board priorities.
• Fundraising experience a plus.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in meetings and task forces.
• Leadership experience in another organization.
• Solid professional reputation.
• High-quality work products.
Trustees typically devote about six hours per month to Magic activities/responsibilities. The busiest times of year are fall and spring; the theatre is dark in the summer.
• Attend Board meetings (two to three hours) in person or by phone. The Board meets six times per year.
• Attend committee meetings in person or by phone.
• Participate in other meetings as required.
Potential Board Members will be interviewed by the Artistic Director, Managing Director, and President of the Board of Trustees prior to being presented to the board for approval.
• The term of Board membership is three years.
• Trustees may be elected for three consecutive terms.
• If a Trustee is elected at other than the Annual Meeting in September, their first three-year term will commence on the next Annual Meeting, resulting in a term of slightly more than three years.
• A Trustee may be re-elected after a one-year absence from the Board.
Complete the Application for Board Membership form and email it to claireo@magictheatre.org.
Magic Theatre has a large group of dedicated volunteers that work with us each season which we value as an important part of our theatre family. There are ushering opportunities available for every show of our current and upcoming productions!
Ushers are required to arrive at the theatre one hour before curtain and must be dressed in all black. Duties may include:
• stuffing programs
• tearing tickets
• assisting patrons to their seats
• assisting with operating concessions or merchandise counters
• light clean-up of the theatre after the performance
In return, ushers are able to see the show free of charge in some of the best seats in the house. They also get 50% off at Magic Theatre Concessions Lounge. The schedule can be arranged at your convenience!
To become part of our volunteer usher team and to schedule a time to work with us please contact:
Patron Services Manager
415.441.8822
Please Note: In order to usher with us you must confirm a shift on a specific date. Magic Theatre does not have a lot of room for storage of personal belongings during your ushering shift, so please come with as few personal belongings as possible (large bags, backpacks, laptops, suitcases, and grocery bags are all difficult to accommodate). Small purses are acceptable.
Magic Theatre, a nationally recognized 50-year-old San Francisco not-for-profit, specializes in the development and production of new plays and provides a rigorous artistic home allowing innovative writers to create a body of work over time.
Magic Theatre seeks an experienced and dynamic Director of Development to lead a comprehensive fundraising effort. Responsibilities will include increasing individual philanthropic support for the theatre, participating as a key player in Magic’s capital campaign, and developing and executing strategies to success that are consistent with Magic’s values and mission.
The Director of Development works in tandem with Magic’s Artistic Director, Managing Director, Board of Trustees, Manager of Institutional Giving, and Development Associate.
Now in its 50th year of continuous operation, San Francisco’s Magic Theatre is dedicated to creative risk: we produce bold, entertaining, and ideologically robust new plays that ask substantive questions about, and reflect the rich diversity of, the world in which we live. Magic believes that demonstrating faith in a playwright’s vision by providing a safe yet rigorous artistic home; where a full body of work can be imagined, developed, and produced; allows writers to thrive. By cultivating the dramatic canon’s vanguard voices and expanding access to new theater-goers, we ensure the future vibrancy of the American theatre.
• Design, implement and evaluate integrated annual fund campaigns to meet annual revenue goals. This effort includes, for example, creating and executing all aspects of Magic’s Fall and Spring Appeals.
• Assist with the solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship of major gift donors and prospects. Develop personal relationships with top donors.
• Work with Board of Trustees leadership and the Board Development Committee to identify and track top prospects and develop and manage moves and solicitation strategies with each. Develop and maintain prospect lists.
• Work effectively with development team to build cultivation and stewardship strategies for Magic’s individual donors. Take initiative and actively seek to deepen current donor relationships and to forge new ones. (Lead development staff, interns and volunteers to achieve success on day-to-day required development goals.)
• Maintain donor database that incorporates information about subscription donations, annual campaign donations, and other contributions.
• Create donor cultivation, solicitation and acknowledgment correspondence and materials including donor newsletter, and event invitations.
• Assist in planning events, stewardship and recognition activities for donors; assure that donors at various levels receive promised donor rewards.
• Plan and execute Magic’s annual Gala and other fundraising events.
• In partnership with the Gala Chair and Committee, create and execute a successful annual Gala.
• In partnership with Development Committee, create and execute successful fundraising events throughout the production year.
• Work with the Manager of Institutional Giving to coordinate all fund development efforts, including a plan and projection for contributed income.
• Manage corporate giving efforts.
• Develop a comprehensive strategic plan and provide routine measurements of success/areas of improvement.
• Identify and promote rewards for corporate support with existing and prospective corporate donors.
• Promote corporate matching opportunities to appropriate donors.
• Stay current on corporate support of all Bay Area arts organizations, to identify prospects.
• Manage other donor relations and cultivation efforts/activities.
• Serve as the chief liaison for Alumni Relations, staffing the 50th Anniversary Committee.
• Assist as assigned in the development and implementation of other Magic activities.
• Manage donor collection and reporting of donor information and stewardship.
• Provide weekly success measurement assessments to the Managing Director, measuring progress against fundraising goals. Demonstrate an ability to appropriately pivot to new strategies where appropriate.
• Identify and develop report formats that will be used to inform Board and staff of progress against fundraising goals. Implement any and all appropriate new technologies with existing modules to improve reporting accuracy and donor data collection.
• Coordinate Development activities and products with efforts in other Magic departments.
• Coordinate with the Marketing Associate to create a consistent look and feel of development and marketing materials.
• In conjunction with the Manager of Institutional Giving, supervise the Development Associate.
The Director of Development should have a deep love of and passion for the arts, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a thorough knowledge of the art and science of development. The successful candidate should be a team player, able to work collaboratively with Magic staff and Trustees; flexible enough to change course and/or priorities when necessary; and have a proven track record in fundraising.
Specific requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Minimum five years non-profit development experience, including annual giving campaigns, with a proven record of success.
• Commitment to Magic’s mission.
• Knowledge of the San Francisco/Bay Area philanthropic community preferred.
• Ability to work in fast-paced environment; adhere to deadlines; demonstrate flexibility in meeting shifting demands and priorities. Action- and results-oriented.
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks and to manage/coordinate projects and deadlines effectively with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to identify and respond to issues/opportunities in a timely manner with a controlled demeanor, while juggling multiple priorities.
• Skill at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers across different levels of the organization, internally and externally; possess outstanding relationship building with all donors, Trustees, and volunteers.
• Excellent analytical, verbal communication, and writing skills. Skilled in creating powerful, compelling written and oral communications for fundraising. Ability to convey complex ideas through brief, simple materials. Experience and credibility when presenting materials to external audiences.
• Proficient in all Microsoft applications, social networking tools, and other programs required to produce effective campaign materials and tracking tools.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
Send a cover letter, resume, one-page writing sample, salary requirements, and references in a single pdf file to Managing Director Jaimie Mayer: jaimiem@magictheatre.org
Part-Time
Magic Theatre seeks Teaching Artists to work with youth and adults in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. Teaching Artists will work cooperatively, in teams of two – each team to include a Lead Teaching Artist and a Co-Teaching Artist – to lead theatre-based workshops for Tenderloin residents ranging in age from 10 to adult. These workshops are intended to build skills in playwriting and directing, physical theatre, vocal techniques, and mindfulness. They will emphasize community collaboration, ensemble building, and awareness of the wider world in which we live.
Workshops will be sponsored by Magic Theatre in cooperation with Tenderloin community partners.
Up to four teams of two Teaching Artists will be hired.
Time Commitment
Lead Teaching Artists and Co-Teaching Artists will attend paid training sessions, including two during the week of February 19, 2018, and will lead workshops that meet one hour per week for the 10 weeks starting March 17 and ending May 25. Additional training sessions will be scheduled during the workshop term.
Expected training dates in February are Thursday, February 22 (evening) and Saturday, February 24 (midday).
Compensation
Lead Teaching Artists will be paid $50 per session for the 10-week workshop series in March through May. Co-Teaching Artists will be paid $30 per session.
All Lead Teaching Artists and Co-Teaching Artists will be paid $25 per hour for 20 hours of training.
Overview
Magic Theatre’s model of team teaching allows Magic TAs the valuable opportunity to support one another while providing students with the experience of observing cooperative teaching and, at the same time, collaborating with the community partner (classroom teacher and/or program liaison). Magic TAs will work collaboratively, conveying clear, concise ideas and concepts to students of all ages.
The Magic Teaching-Artist Team will actively collaborate with each classroom teacher/site or program liaison to form one unified team. TAs and classroom teacher/site or program liaison are jointly responsible for developing the syllabus for classes, utilizing ensemble/community building, original writing, two-character scene writing, play construction and presentation skills as well as mindfulness and the role of a global citizen.
Qualifications
Applicants for Lead Teaching Artist positions should have at least two years of experience as teaching artists in theatre-based programs.
Applicants for Co-Teaching Artist positions should have a love of theater and be excited to learn about the skills required of a teaching artist.
To Apply
Send a cover letter addressed to Fran Tarr along with your Teaching Artist/theater resume and contact information for two references to MagicintheTL@magictheatre.org
Selected applicants will be invited to interview in person on Tuesday, February 20 at 6:00pm at a location in the Tenderloin.
Application Deadline: February 12, 2018.
Equal Opportunity Employer: It is the policy of Magic Theatre to provide employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender, and to maintain an environment free of harassment or retaliation as required by law. Persons of color are encouraged to apply.
Please note: we will only respond to and read work adhering to these guidelines.
We encourage local writers to submit work to us. Local is defined as residing within the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma). Writers from outside the Bay Area may only submit work through agents.
We no longer accept query packages or musicals. We only accept full-length plays.
Please submit full-length scripts as PDF documents.
Due to the number of script submissions we have been receiving, response times may be longer than usual.
Agents and Bay Area playwrights may send email to:
or
Literary Manager
Magic Theatre
Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D
San Francisco, CA 94123
PLEASE NOTE: We will be unable to return your script. Please keep this in mind when preparing your materials.
Want to advertise in our show program or our newsletter?
Contact Mike Szymanski: mikes@magictheatre.org