Director of Education and Community Engagement

About the Opportunity

Ogunquit Playhouse, a cornerstone of American regional theater, seeks a visionary and experienced leader to serve as Director of Education and Community Engagement. This leadership position offers an exceptional opportunity to advance Ogunquit Playhouse’s educational mission during a transformational period in the organization’s 90+ year history. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership in developing and implementing educational programs that align with Ogunquit Playhouse’s mission to entertain, inspire, and educate while fostering creativity, accessibility, and community connection.

The Director of Education and Community Engagement reports to the Managing Director, working in close partnership with Ogunquit Playhouse’s senior leadership team, Board of Directors, education staff, teaching artists, and cross-departmental colleagues. The role encompasses strategic planning, financial oversight, program development, and team leadership of the Arts Academy and community engagement initiatives. Central to this position is collaboration with senior leadership on the Manhattan Colony redevelopment project, a historic initiative to restore and reimagine the original artist retreat as a new cultural campus featuring a permanent Arts Academy facility, dedicated rehearsal spaces, and an intimate performance venue.

About Ogunquit Playhouse

Ogunquit Playhouse, established in 1933, stands as one of America’s most respected regional theaters, presenting world-class productions in the heart of coastal Maine. The institution’s commitment to artistic excellence has earned national recognition, with productions regularly transferring to Broadway and launching careers of theater luminaries. The Playhouse maintains an economic impact that extends throughout Southern Maine while preserving its intimate, community-centered character. Educational programming represents a cornerstone of Ogunquit Playhouse’s mission, serving students and community members through transformative Arts Academy programs, workshops, and community engagement initiatives. The organization maintains a deep commitment to accessibility, ensuring theater opportunities reach participants regardless of economic or geographic barriers. Signature initiatives include the Arts Academy seasonal programming, community workshops, student casting opportunities in Mainstage productions, and expanding outreach to schools and community organizations throughout the region.

The Playhouse’s main campus features a historic theater with comprehensive production facilities set within Ogunquit’s scenic coastal environment. The theater complex includes front-of-house amenities and supporting facilities that have served the community for nine decades. The Manhattan Colony area, originally a summer retreat for New York theater artists, houses the organization’s oldest structures and represents both the institution’s history and its future potential.

The longer-term vision centers on transforming the Manhattan Colony into a 21st-century cultural campus featuring a new Arts Academy facility with dedicated dance, music, and coaching studios, flexible rehearsal spaces, a small performance venue for student productions and new work development, and administrative offices that will support expanded year-round programming.

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership
The Director of Education and Community Engagement serves as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to institutional planning and decision-making. This position leads the development and implementation of comprehensive educational strategies aligned with Ogunquit Playhouse’s mission and the Manhattan Colony redevelopment vision. The Director works closely with the Board of Directors and leadership team to advance educational initiatives, support fundraising efforts, and guide the development of new facilities. Specific responsibilities include:
● Fostering a culture of learning and community building that inspires staff, board members, students, educators, and community members to meaningfully participate in Ogunquit Playhouse’s educational initiatives
● Serving as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to high-level planning and decision-making to align education efforts with the organization’s mission and strategic goals
● Upholding and integrating Ogunquit Playhouse’s values of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into all educational programming and operations
● Fostering clear communication across departments, particularly with Artistic, Development, and Marketing teams, to ensure alignment and collaboration on educational programs, outreach projects, and community events Departmental Leadership and Supervision

The Director of Education and Community Engagement provides strategic and entrepreneurial leadership related to the theater’s educational initiatives and Manhattan Colony development. Immediate areas of focus include developing a strategic plan that demonstrates the scalability of
educational programs and formulates the operational plan for the new Arts Academy facility. The Director recruits, inspires, develops, and leads a team of administrators, educators, and teaching artists who are passionate about arts education and committed to professional growth.

External Relations and Partnerships
Success in this role requires building and maintaining strong relationships with educational institutions, arts organizations, teaching artists, and community partners throughout Southern Maine. The Director serves as an ambassador for Ogunquit Playhouse’s educational mission, representing the organization at community events and cultivating partnerships that expand access to the performing arts. This includes developing programs serving diverse populations, creating pathways for sustained student engagement, and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders in theater education and community development.

Financial Management and Planning
The position encompasses fiscal oversight responsibilities including budget development, resource allocation, and financial reporting to senior management and the Board. The Director collaborates with the Director of Finance to monitor and manage departmental budgets while supporting sales and fundraising initiatives to ensure program sustainability. This includes understanding the financial implications of the Manhattan Colony development and contributing to capital campaign planning.

Program Development and Evaluation
The Director oversees the design and execution of all educational programming, ensuring high artistic and educational standards. This includes strengthening and expanding the Arts Academy, community workshops, and outreach initiatives. The position requires strategic vision to anticipate evolving community needs while maintaining programmatic excellence and mission alignment, including establishing processes for evaluating programs to measure effectiveness and ensure high-quality experiences for participants.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Community Building
Working closely with program staff, the position ensures all educational programming reflects current best practices in performing arts education, accessibility, and community engagement. This work involves connecting educational initiatives with mainstage productions, overseeing Arts Academy programming, building meaningful partnerships with schools and community organizations, fostering relationships with educational institutions to integrate theater arts into curricula, and creating clear pathways for student engagement from early exposure to advanced training opportunities.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

Educational Background
● Graduate degree in relevant field or equivalent professional experience Professional Experience
● Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in performing arts education, preferably within a theater or performing arts organization
● Demonstrated success in program development, staff supervision, and budget management
● Proven ability to develop, implement, and evaluate arts education programs and initiatives

Knowledge and Skills
● Comprehensive understanding of current trends in performing arts education and training, theater for young audiences, accessible arts programming, and areas such as arts integration, community engagement, and educational partnerships
● Deep appreciation for musical theater and dramatic arts
● Strong knowledge of educational best practices and curriculum development
● Experience with community outreach and partnership development
● Familiarity with capital project planning and facility development preferred

Leadership Qualities
● Demonstrated ability to provide strategic vision while maintaining operational excellence
● Experience in identifying and recruiting qualified staff to strengthen and grow programs
● Strong commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that promotes collaboration
● Excellence in team building and professional development
● Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
● Proven ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders

Additional Requirements
● Strong organizational and project management capabilities
● Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail
● Willingness to attend evening and weekend performances and events
● Flexibility to participate in off-site meetings and community events
● Valid driver’s license for Arts Academy van operation

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of performing arts education while working with one of America’s most respected regional theaters during a transformational period in its history. The successful candidate will combine strategic vision with practical leadership skills to advance Ogunquit Playhouse’s educational mission and community impact.

A Message About Applications
Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that applicants from different backgrounds apply for positions at varying qualification thresholds. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, transitioning careers, or taking the next step in your professional path, we welcome your application. Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role and how your experience aligns with our mission.

Compensation
The salary for this position is $95,000 – $110,000 annually. The organization offers comprehensive benefits and the opportunity to work in one of Maine’s most beautiful coastal communities during an exciting period of growth and transformation. This is a full-time position with in-person requirements and remote opportunities during the off-season. The role requires flexibility for evening and weekend programming as needed.

Application Instructions
To apply, visit the online application and submit your materials. Your cover letter should include any training or experience relevant to the job profile that you would like to highlight, why you consider yourself a good fit for this opportunity, and anything else you’d like us to know about your qualifications that may not be present in your resume.

The search is being led by VP, Organizational Strategy Edie Demas with support from the TOC Arts Partners search team. The priority application deadline for this search is October 17, 2025. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration. While we will still accept and consider applications after this date, we encourage you to apply as early as possible for the best chance at being considered for the position. Please note that meeting the priority deadline does not guarantee an interview.

For general questions or nominations of prospective candidates, please contact searchteam@tocartspartners.com. We kindly request no phone calls.

Specific questions about the position may be directed to:
Edie Demas
VP, Organizational Strategy
edie@tocartspartners.com