Apprentice Artistic Director

Company Overview

ABOUT THE GRAND

The Grand Theatre is known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwest Ontario’s premiere producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians. 

As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond. At our home in downtown London, we create productions on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the Auburn Developments Stage (144 seats). The Grand season of theatrical offerings runs from September to May, and we collaborate with companies and artists across the country through our co-productions that see London-made artistic and creative work travel to audiences nation-wide. 

The Grand Theatre is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapéewak Nations. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations, and all the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (colonially known as North America). We acknowledge the traditional lands upon which we live, work, share, and tell stories together.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & RECONCILIATION

The Grand Theatre is committed to creating and practicing a company culture that ensures an accessible, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming space for all. We encourage applicants to review the Grand’s commitments to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation on our website to confirm that your personal and professional values are aligned with this vision, and we invite you to reflect on these commitments in your submission.

The Grand Theatre is committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive, equitable and accessible. We welcome applications from qualified individuals that reflect the abilities and diversity of communities we serve. The Grand Theatre will proactively provide accessibility solutions to job applicants throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Job Description

THE POSITION

The Grand’s 2026-27 Apprentice Artistic Director is intended for an early career emerging artistic leader or for an artist who is newly transitioning into artistic leadership. The successful candidate will receive a hands-on introduction to the workings of a large, unionized regional theatre, focusing particularly on the role of the Artistic Director and the Artistic Director’s responsibilities and relationships amongst the various administrative and production departments, creative teams, Board of Directors, and the community. 

Under the supervision of Artistic Director Rachel Peake, this program will be shaped to fit the interests of the successful candidate and will include an opportunity to observe and participate in activities through the course of a season, including but not limited to:

• Artistic creation, programming, and guidance: assisting in the development of the upcoming season, reading and assessing scripts for consideration, participating in script development.
• Administrative decision-making: learning about policy development, budgeting, grant writing, scheduling, casting, negotiating, contracting, production, and marketing.
• Community stewardship: participating in advocacy, engagement, and outreach work, including leading elements of the Artists in the Auburn program.

The Apprentice Artistic Director will also have an opportunity to focus on personal and professional advancement through:

• Regular mentorship meetings with the Artistic Director to consider how the apprenticeship can intersect with the AAD’s short- and long-term career goals
• Researching and exploring career opportunities: learning about the regional and national theatre landscape
• Building credentials: finding ways to represent the skills built through this process in a portfolio or resume
• Networking: meeting a broad spectrum of artists and artistic leaders across the country

This vacant contract full-time position is located in London, Ontario and will run August 18, 2026 until May 7, 2027 with no option for renewal. This position requires the candidate to work onsite at the Grand Theatre in London. Regular work hours for this position are Monday to Friday, but may require the candidate to work evening, holiday, and weekend hours as scheduled.

WHO CAN APPLY

The role of Apprentice Artistic Director is open to anyone actively pursuing artistic leadership as a career. Candidates should have 3+ years of professional theatre experience and be able to demonstrate:

• Vision
• Creativity
• Resourcefulness
• Zeal
• Organizational skills
• Communication skills

Priority will be given to applicants from communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in Canadian regional theatre. *Please indicate if you self-identify as belonging to any of these priority groups*