Florida Studio Theatre (FST) has begun a search for an Artistic Director, a newly conceived position that will guide the planning and delivery of the theatre’s core programs. The role debuts as FST’s long-serving Producing Artistic Director moves toward retirement and overall leadership shifts to an Executive Director—effectively a chief executive officer—who will lead a team that includes the Artistic Director and an incoming Managing Director.
Role scope and artistic vision
The Artistic Director will shape programming for FST’s signature platforms, curating seasons and engaging artists in alignment with the company’s mission and its aesthetic—centered on authentic, engaging storytelling rather than large-scale spectacle. The portfolio includes:
- Winter and Summer Mainstage Series (seven productions)
- Stage III (three productions)
- Children’s Theatre (four productions)
- New Play Development
Alongside season planning, the Artistic Director will participate in FST’s creative life through their own practice—as a stage director, actor, designer, or another individual discipline—while recognizing that the primary charge is to serve as the overall producer of the theatre’s principal offerings. In close partnership with the Executive Director, the leader in this role will calibrate artistic ambition with attentiveness to audience needs.
Search process, timeline, and compensation
FST has engaged Management Consultants for the Arts to oversee the search, and applications are being accepted through that firm. The theatre aims to make a hiring decision by Spring of 2027, with the selected candidate anticipated to transition into the role in the Fall of 2027. Compensation begins at $160,000 per year, with full benefits. FST affirms equal opportunity, celebrates diversity, and maintains an inclusive workplace. Employment offers will be contingent upon successful background and reference checks.
Founded in 1973 by artist Jon Spelman as an alternative touring group, FST brought theatre to isolated and underserved audiences in nursing homes, migrant farms, and prisons. In 1980, when Richard Hopkins became Producing Artistic Director, he launched FST’s Mainstage Series with 103 subscribers. Today the organization serves over 45,000 subscribers and an annual audience exceeding 225,000 across its programs, making it the state’s largest subscription theatre. Now in its 53rd Season, FST operates across five stages and produces over 20 professional productions each year.
For theatre professionals eager to lead a robust slate of plays and musicals—and to steward a company with deep community reach—this appointment represents a significant opportunity at a pivotal moment in FST’s evolution.
Vía artsjournal.com
