Walterdale Theatre: Artistic Director

Walterdale Theatre is currently celebrating its sixty-seventh (67th) season of exciting, provocative and high-calibre theatre. Every year, our teams of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers join together to create full seasons of plays ranging from the classical to the freshly written; our community includes life-long theatre hobbyists, young emerging artists; and those just curious about the dazzling world of theatre. Walterdale Theatre is a converted historic fire hall right in the middle of Old Strathcona, with an up-to-date and flexible stage and technical system on par with many of the professional theatres in Edmonton. Walterdale Theatre Associates is looking for an Artistic Director (AD) to provide artistic leadership for our 2026-27 and 2027-28 Seasons. The AD is responsible for: Formulating and releasing the season submission call, reviewing submissions, and compiling a season with a cohesive theme that can help support promotional material including press releases, poster designs and general communications (including liaising with a volunteer graphic artist on season/show visual design). Proposing seasons to the Board of Directors (which usually includes 5 full-length productions, a New Work Festival, and possible partnerships with other art organizations in our community). Working with Production Managers and Directors of Production to build artistic teams, (including selecting Directors for each play and Chairs for any Festivals or ongoing projects). Guiding artistic choices and direction with the theatre association (including setting specific goals and objectives that the AD feels would benefit the membership as well as Walterdale as a member of the greater Edmonton Artistic Community). Actively work to broaden the Walterdale community through programming and supporting the development of inclusive policies to reach under-represented communities. Being the liaison between Directors and the Board of Directors. Coordinating the season launch. Attending monthly Board of Directors meetings, providing input on Board decisions, and submitting monthly and annual reports to the Board. Representing Walterdale to the general public through media interviews, email requests, messages in member newsletters, and delivering opening night welcome/thank you speeches. Ongoing support of the season’s Directors and artistic teams through attending production meetings, auditions, check-ins with the Director and artistic team; attending rehearsals and end of show debrief. The Artistic Director also typically directs one show per season; however, in the event that the applicant is a designer, actor, or other theatre artist, this contribution can be amended. Artistic Directors generally serve a two-year term at Walterdale. Like all artistic positions in the company, the AD is a volunteer position. Anyone may apply for the position of Artistic Director; however, the best candidate will have experience as a Director or theatre artist outside of Walterdale and/or a history with Walterdale itself (i.e. working on Walterdale productions in various capacities). A familiarity with Walterdale’s recent or extended history would be an asset. Artistic Directors should have strong organizational and time management skills and be comfortable with public speaking. Applicants need to submit the following information: A cover letter, explaining why you wish to be Artistic Director. A proposal for the 2026-2027 Walterdale season, listing possible plays and describing why each play would be suitable for Walterdale and how the season as a whole will serve Walterdale and its audiences (Please note: this would be your ‘dream season’ as you would build the actual season from submissions through our submission process. We encourage you to look at recent and current seasons to avoid any duplication, as well as look at our space so that you can select shows that would work well in it. This proposal should also include a vision for the From Cradle to Stage New Work Festival and any other artistic programming you would want to champion). Your contact information (best email and best phone number are essential). Applications may be emailed to the theatre’s Administrator, Jake Tkaczyk, at walterph@telus.net. You could also mail or drop off your application to the theatre at: The deadline for applications is November 28, 2025. The applications will be studied by a search committee from Walterdale’s Board of Directors. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed in December, and the selection will be made by the end of December 2025. The successful candidate will start in January 2026 – shadowing our outgoing AD and starting the season selection process for Season 68. If you have any questions or suggestions about the Artistic Director search, please email our Vice President, Anne Marie Szucs, at Szucswalterdalead@gmail.com . #J-18808-Ljbffr