Literary Assistant The Bush Theatre is looking for a passionate, organised and insightful Literary Assistant to become an integral member of the literary team, and provide administrative and creative assistance to the Associate Dramaturg. They will be responsible for the administrative management of the literary department, liaising between writers and agents, facilitating R&D's, managing all aspects of the Bush Theatre's open submissions, its team of readers, and stepping up to work as dramaturg on specific projects. How to apply This pack contains the Literary Assistant job description, person specification and equal opportunities form. To apply for the post please provide a CV, covering letter and equal opportunities form detailing your suitability, matched to the person specification, and reasons for applying for the post. Email these to Arianne Brooks, jobs@bushtheatre.co.uk with Literary Assistant in the subject line. Alternatively you may post your application to: Arianne Brooks Bush Theatre 7 Uxbridge Road Shepherd s Bush London W12 8LJ The deadline for applications is 6pm on Wed 29 Nov 2017 and interviews will take place in early December.
LITERARY ASSISTANT Job Description Job Title: Reporting to: Literary Assistant Associate Dramaturg Background One of the most experienced prospectors of raw talent in Europe. The Independent After nearly 40 years in residence over a pub on Shepherd s Bush Green, the Bush Theatre moved into the Old Library in Shepherd s Bush in October 2011. Since then, the theatre has enjoyed a significant period of growth that has not only augmented its reputation as a powerhouse of new writing but has also cemented the organisation as a cultural landmark at the heart of Shepherd s Bush. This year, we concluded a 4.3m redevelopment project to complete the transformation of the old library, making the theatre more accessible and sustainable, allowing us to produce more work, reach out to more people, and support more artists. The building now comprises of a flexible 190 seat theatre, a second performance space, a rehearsal studio, a Café Bar, a newly developed terrace garden and a playtext library. The restored venue gives us further capability to hire out our spaces for rehearsals, conferences, meetings, parties, comedy gigs and weddings. Overall this once-in-a-generation renovation has created a platform for our future enabling us to expand our programme; promoting high quality new writing, developing the next generation of creative talent, leading innovative community engagement work and championing diversity. The Bush Theatre is also proud to be an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, having just secured an uplift in funding for the next 4 years to support the organisation s recent growth. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Madani Younis, the Bush Theatre is committed to presenting a diverse and innovative programme of new writing that speaks to and reflects contemporary society in all its diversity and seeks to be an industry leader in this area. The executive team is supported by a dynamic and diverse board of trustees. As we collectively enter into this new phase in the life of the theatre, we are looking forward to another 45 years as West London s leading new writing theatre. Purpose of the role To provide administrative support for the literary department and to assist the Associate Dramaturg to deliver the literary functions at the Bush Theatre This is permanent part time contract (3 days per week) to support the Associate Dramaturg and the work of the Bush Theatre
Duties and Responsibilities 1. Writers and Play Development To support the Associate Dramaturg in the day to day running of the Literary department. To support the Associate Dramaturg in the commissioning and development of new talent. To support the Associate Dramaturg to devise and implement development opportunities for writers. To assist the Associate Dramaturg to liaise with new writing agencies to communicate the Bush s interests and to identify writers and scripts for the Bush. To act as lead dramaturg on specific Bush Theatre projects, where required. To track submissions from new writing agencies and ensure a response is received. To administer the Bush Theatre unsolicited play submissions process, including feedback to playwrights and enquiries from writers and agents. Diary management for the Associate Dramaturg. To co-ordinate the Bush Theatre team of readers; being the first point of contact, distributing scripts and ensuring each response is logged and writer responded to. To lead on the administration and monitoring of the Literary budget and Literary invoices in liaison with the Associate Dramaturg; tracking receipts, creating expenses claim forms, coding and processing invoices. To attend new plays, workshops, readings and showings, and be an ambassador for the Bush, its approach and its work as part of the Literary department. To assist the Associate Dramaturg in reading new scripts. To organise meetings and be first point of contact for the Emerging Writer s Group and all events associated with the scheme. To work with the Associate Dramaturg in casting, contracting and organising all Research and Development on Bush Theatre commissions. To proof read writers contracts. Scheduling and booking travel, accommodation and theatre tickets for the Associate Dramaturg and wider senior team. To assist the Associate Dramaturg in applications for literary awards. To, where necessary, carry out research on writers, theatres and new writing trends. To maintain excellent internal and external working relationships with writers, agents and staff. 2. Artistic Policy and Programming To attend, minute and disseminate minutes of Script, Literary and Programming meetings. To support the Associate Dramaturg in the development and maintenance of external partnerships. To identify and develop partnerships and collaborations to support the Bush s aims in talent development, creative collaboration, new writing and participation. To develop and maintain excellent external industry networks To liaise with Marketing to ensure information and copy for Literary pages is kept up to date on the Bush Theatre Website. To liaise with Development on literary and writer development funding applications.
To keep up to date files of all Programming scripts. 3. General Keep up to date with developments in new writing. Work in support of the artistic policy of the Bush Theatre. Attend read-throughs, sharings, Preview, Press and Supporters Nights and other Bush Theatre events as required. Attend regular Company meetings and artistic development and planning meetings. To maintain Literary filing. Actively develop and implement green policies and practices for the department. Adhere to, and actively contribute to, Bush Theatre policies, including Equalities (including diversity, access, equal opportunities); Environmental and Health & Safety. Carry out any other duties as may be required by the theatre. To act always in the best interest of the Bush Theatre. To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible without jeopardising the quality of the work or the reputation of the Bush Theatre. Any other duties as reasonably required. Person Specification Essential Interest in and knowledge of new writing in theatre. Experience of working in a professional theatre setting. 1 year script reading experience. Experience of managing budgets. To have excellent organisational skills as well as written and verbal communication skills. Previous experience co-ordinating events and workshops. To have the ability to work within a small and busy team. Experience working alongside artists and theatre makers to develop high quality work. Social Media management experience. Experience managing calendars. To be computer literate and have good knowledge of Microsoft office suite. Ability to work under pressure to deadlines. Good time management skills and the ability to deal with multiple priorities successfully. Good interpersonal skills, ability to communicate with audiences in a friendly manner. Commitment to achieving high standards. Desirable Experience of working within a producing theatre. Experience working with emerging artists. Experience of communicating with artists and artists agents. Experience of casting. Experience co-ordinating complex travel arrangements. Terms
Hours Salary Holidays Probation Contract Type 3 days per week 20,500 pro rata Pro rata of 20 per annum plus Bank Holidays Three months Fixed term