Artistic Director / Dean PCPA (Pacific Conservatory Theatre)

DEFINITION
Under general direction, directs and supervises the administration and professional conservatory theatre operations of PCPA - Pacific Conservatory Theatre; and performs other related work as required.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is an artistic and academic administrative position. As the artistic director of PCPA, the incumbent reports to the superintendent/president. As the instructional dean, the incumbent reports to the associate superintendent/vice president of academic affairs. The incumbent will independently perform professional work in the development, interpretation, and application of college and PCPA programs, policies and procedures. The incumbent is required to exercise sound judgment and excellent communication skills in frequent contacts with administrative and professional staff, students, and public/private organizations; and value and promote the mission and vision of the college.

1. Provides leadership for the development and articulation of PCPA mission, vision, artistic policy, and goals;
2. Recommends the PCPA organizational structure;
3. Directs PCPA strategic and action planning processes;
4. Represents the theatre to the public, donors, board trustees (Allan Hancock College (AHC), PCPA Foundation and Solvang Theaterfest) and the performing arts industry at large - locally, regionally and nationally - through leadership and participation in community activities, conferences and professional contacts with theatres. Represents the theatre at private and public functions.
5. Serves as an ex officio advisor to the Solvang Theaterfest Board of Directors and liaison to the PCPA Foundation Board of Directors, and the Allan Hancock College Auxiliary Programs Corporation board;
6. Provides leadership and direction for the planning, development, and production of public theater performances, including the selection of plays to be produced, selection of artistic teams for each production, oversight in casting the acting company, conceptual approaches for plays, rehearsal and production processes;
7. Provides oversight of the scheduling of rehearsals and performances, supervises calendar planning and integration with instructional programs, provides artistic leadership for marketing strategies, production budgets and accounting of all other theater costs and allocations;
8. Provides leadership for resource development through sponsorship/underwriting, endowment funding, grants, capital campaigns, corporate giving, scholarship funds, in-kind gifts and other donor cultivation;
9. Oversees the recruitment, selection, and evaluation of PCPA staff, and serves as their supervisor;
10. Establishes budget priorities and collaborates with managing director in oversight of the PCPA budget in accordance with business services guidelines and with approval by the administration;
11. Oversees the process for recruitment of conservatory students and interns;
12. Plans, develops and evaluates the instructional program including the curriculum, performance standards, teaching methodology and scheduling;
13. Establishes effective communication with staff, administrators, organizations and citizens;
14. Prepares oral and written reports;
15. May direct selected plays each year;
16. Performs related work as required.

1. Oversees the operation, planning, development and evaluation of the PCPA instructional program including the curriculum, performance standards, teaching methodology, scheduling and faculty load.
2. Oversees the recruitment of conservatory students and interns;
3. Assists in the selection of AHC drama faculty;
4. Supports full-time faculty with program evaluations, full-time and Associate faculty evaluations and curriculum development.
5. Attends college meetings as needed;
6. Serves on college committees, attends Board of Trustees meetings and functions as needed;
7. Performs related work as required.

• Current professional theatrical production practices;
• History of dramatic literature;
• All aspects of the stage production process;
• Performance marketing and resource development;
• Personnel supervision practices;
• College and theatre administrative processes;
• Educational philosophy which places the primary emphasis on student learning in the design, delivery, and evaluation of courses;

• Supervise and coordinate the activities of large groups of people toward a common purpose;
• Work productively and meet deadlines under time pressures;
• Design, review, and evaluate curriculum, and make recommendations to maintain program currency for both vocational and transfer students;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the interrelationship of critical thinking, reading, and writing;
• Plan, organize, and direct college and conservatory theatre programs;
• Direct, evaluate, motivate, and supervise staff;
• Reconcile divergent views;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with college administrators, faculty staff, students, and community groups;
• Raise funds through alternative sources;

• May be required to work a flexible workweek which includes day and evening hours and occasional weekend assignments and may be assigned to any district location;
• Duties are primarily performed in an office environment, at a desk, or at a computer and in indoor and outdoor theatrical rehearsal and performance spaces;
• The incumbent will experience interruptions while performing normal duties during the regular workday;
• The incumbent will have contact, in person or on the telephone, with executive, management, supervisory, academic and classified staff and the general public.
• Work requires travel to other offices or locations to attend meetings or conduct work;

• Typically may sit for extended periods of time
• Operates a computer keyboard
• Communicates over the telephone and in person
• Regularly lifts, carries and/or moves objects weighing up to 10 pounds

A minimum of one year of higher education teaching experience. Experience as an artistic and/or producing director and one year of educational administration experience is highly desirable. A master of arts or master of fine arts in drama, performance or theater from an accredited college or university, OR equivalent.

This position is open until it is filled. This is a full-time, 40-hour, 12-month, management position.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (schedule may vary depending on department needs).

To be considered for this position, the candidate must submit the following application materials by the initial review date, Sunday, May 10, 2026 by 11:59 PST:

• Cover letter;
• A current and complete resume/CV of education and professional experience;
• A statement that demonstrates a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students;
• Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for the application process). Official transcripts are required at time of hire.

Allan Hancock College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Allan Hancock College will not sponsor any visa applications.