Cahoots Theatre Artistic Director

Cahoots Theatre is turning 40 — and we’re looking for our next Artistic Director!

The challenge

For 40 years, Cahoots has been the home for stories that don’t always get told — by artists of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ artists, newcomer and refugee artists, artists with disabilities, and everyone living at the intersections of those identities. We’ve expanded the breadth and depth of everyday conversations by telling stories and exploring themes that most of us didn’t even know we needed exploring.

That’s a legacy worth protecting. That’s a legacy worth not just maintaining but driving forward.

As we head into our 40th anniversary season, we need someone to take the creative wheel: to shape what Cahoots develops next, to deepen our roots in the community, and to make sure the next chapter is even more compelling than the first.

The call

We’re looking for a co-leader — someone who’ll partner with our Managing Director to run the company day-to-day, and who’ll also be the artistic heartbeat of Cahoots: choosing the plays, developing the playwrights, cultivating the artists, standing in front of the room as our champion, and setting the table for the conversations that we need to have.

You don’t need to have been an Artistic Director before. You do need to care, deeply, about the stories we exist to tell.

What we’re looking for:

• A genuine, deep-stated love of storytelling and live theatre
• A bold, distinct creative vision — and the confidence to bring it to life
• Strong people skills: you build trust easily, with artists, donors and board members alike
• Curiosity and eagerness to grow into the role, even if you’ve never held this title before
• A real commitment to the company and the communities that Cahoots exists to serve

Applications are open until Friday, October 9, 2026 .

We can’t wait to see who’s next!

Employment Opportunity – Artistic Director

Cahoots Theatre

As Cahoots reflects on our inspired history and approaches our 40th anniversary season in 2026/27, the Board of Directors is on a search for a curious, visionary, and compassionate person to join the team as our new Artistic Director.

About Cahoots

Cahoots Theatre is dedicated to developing and showcasing the work of marginalized artists. Since 1986, Cahoots’ mission has been to uplift and spotlight the work of historically undervalued theatre creators. The mandate began with a focus on ethnically marginalized artists and has expanded to include 2SLGBTQ+ artists, newcomer and refugee artists, artists with disabilities, and artists who reside at the many intersections of these identities.

Cahoots is a registered charity with its office in Toronto, Ontario.

Job Description

The Artistic Director is currently one of two full-time staff members, working alongside the Managing Director as co-leader of Cahoots.

Together, they steer Cahoots’ future and uphold the company’s strategic, artistic, and philosophical priorities while serving our community of artists and supporters, honouring the company’s mandate, and ensuring the continued wellbeing of the company.

As the primary artistic leader of the company, the Artistic Director is responsible for the artistic oversight of the company, including programming decisions, artist development, oversight of staff, and engagement with the Cahoots community (artists, patrons, board, staff, funders, donors, and other theatre colleagues).

The Artistic Director reports directly to the Board and is responsible for hiring, managing, and engaging with artistic staff.

The Artistic Director must have an avid love for storytelling and for the performing arts.

Hours & Location | Four (4) days (32 hours) per week. Cahoots staff work primarily at the company’s office/studio at 3-388 Queen Street East in Toronto, Ontario. Due to the nature of work in the theatre industry, overtime will sometimes be required.

Remuneration | $50,000 per annum (prorated for 2026/27)

Benefits | Life insurance and extended health benefits (prescription, vision, dental)

Vacation | Three (3) weeks paid vacation, in addition to the end-of-year Winter Holiday break

Interviews | Interviews will be held throughout October 2026

Start Date | The chosen candidate will ideally start on December 1, 2026

Job Criteria

Education/Training

• Post-secondary training or equivalent work experience in theatre
• A background in live theatre direction is an asset

Required Skills & Experience

• Theatrical knowledge and experience in the performing arts
• A history of live theatre direction and strong dramaturgical aptitude
• A background in independent theatre producing or event planning
• Extremely strong written and oral communication skills, adaptable to a wide range of communities
• Previous leadership and facilitation experience in a performing arts capacity
• Comfort with public speaking and presentation
• Extremely strong interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively and build successful teams
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; able to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines
• Experience with marketing and promotion
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Google Suite (Mail, Calendar, Docs, Drive); Canva
• Proficiency with social media platforms, notably Facebook and Instagram
• Experience with Excel and/or willingness to learn

Industry Knowledge (to be developed on the job)

The Artistic Director will be expected to have or gain knowledge of the following agreements and/or organizations:

• Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA)
• Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT)
• Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA)
• Canadian Actors’ Equity Association (CAEA)
• Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC)
• Associated Designers of Canada (ADC)
• Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers (CGDC)
• Canadian Arts Data (CADAC)

For specific projects, the Artistic Director may also be required to engage with:

• Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA)
• American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
• Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)

Responsibilities of the Artistic Director

Artistic Oversight

• Conceiving and curating the company’s creative programming in accordance with Cahoots’ artistic mandate, including full-scale productions, public readings and showcases, concerts, and more
• Engaging in long-term seasonal planning in conjunction with the Managing Director
• Directing theatrical productions for Cahoots; in cases where a production is not being directed by the Artistic Director, hiring the director in consultation with the playwright/creator
• Executing Cahoots production and project schedules in collaboration with contracted project producers
• Developing the work of young-in-craft playwrights, creators, and actors through commissions, script dramaturgy, readings, workshops, and creation units
• Facilitating theatrical co-productions and community artistic partnerships
• Receiving and reading script proposals and submissions
• Becoming familiar with the work of new artists who fall under the mandate of Cahoots; holding introductory meetings with artists individually
• Providing work opportunities that help develop the next generation of theatre artists
• Collaborating with directors (if external) on the selection of design teams for Cahoots productions
• Working closely with a range of artists, co-producers, and cultural leaders

Community Engagement

• Being present at all Cahoots productions and public events
• Building and deepening relationships with artists, industry professionals, and community members
• Serving as a public ambassador for the company — we seek someone who wishes to enthusiastically represent Cahoots at industry or community events
• Increasing awareness of Cahoots in the local Corktown neighbourhood and beyond
• Regularly attending theatrical performances and staying well-informed about mandate-aligned artists who are new to Toronto’s professional theatre scene
• Creating the annual operational budget in collaboration with the Managing Director
• Creating production and event budgets
• Building relationships with existing and potential financial supporters; cultivating new donors
• Hiring and managing staff and contractors to meet company needs, in collaboration with the Managing Director
• Serving as first point-person regarding production and programming-related HR issues
• Attending regular board meetings; preparing and sharing Artistic Leadership update reports
• Consulting with the board regarding significant adjustments to strategic plans, company policy or expenditures

Grant Writing and Development

• Knowledge of Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, and Toronto Arts Council operational granting programs
• Preparing grant applications and grant reports in tandem with the Managing Director
• Communicating with grant officers at all levels of government
• Procuring community and corporate sponsorships
• Pursuing foundational and donor support to increase company revenue, with the assistance of the board and Managing Director