Job Description

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OPPORTUNITY

PLEASE APPLY BY August 1, 2025

 

Nurturing confident, compassionate, responsible young people
through training in the art and craft of theatre. 

 

Studio East is founded on the belief that the performing arts can make a difference in the lives of our children. Children who learn and practice the discipline, dedication, and teamwork required by the craft of theater develop skills that will be valuable assets throughout their lives,
no matter what career they choose to pursue.

 

Who We Are 

Studio East began as one teen program in 1992, and is now a prominent children’s theater training program in the Seattle area. Studio East offers a comprehensive program of drama classes, theater arts summer camps, and Mainstage productions for children aged 4 through 19. The organization also offers SchoolStage (a 6-week, after-school residency program) and outreach classes. Studio East produces StoryBook Theater, an adult professional touring troupe with performances across the Puget Sound Region, that often becomes a child’s first experience with live theater. Altogether, Studio East currently serves over 70,000 people annually.

Studio East is a youth-focused theater organization committed to collaboratively developing life skills through theater experiences. We empower young people to grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals by fostering accountability, leadership, curiosity, and community. Through high-quality education, performance opportunities, and our touring company,  we use the transformative power of theater to inspire and continually engage learners of all ages.

Studio East envisions a community where young people grow through the power of theater. Our programs cultivate responsibility, empathy, creativity, and leadership by encouraging honesty, curiosity, and purposeful collaboration. We foster an inclusive, supportive environment that values timeliness, open-mindedness, and respectful communication, equipping students with the life skills to succeed on stage and in life.  Our touring company introduces young children to live musical theater that is infused with positive life lessons. We believe theater is a transformative, cultural force that develops valuable skills children can use throughout their lives, regardless of their eventual chosen vocation.

We define inclusivity with two words: welcome home . The entire Studio East organization strives to create and support an environment that embraces individuals from any background, culture, identity, orientation, or ability, and strives to foster a sense of real belonging.

Our hearts, minds, and doors are open to ALL.

We lead from the heart and educate from the head.

We believe in every young person’s ability to embrace the highest-quality and socially-relevant theater, believing they can find inside themselves the desire to make a meaningful contribution and achieve their personal best.

What We Do

Drama Classes and Summer Camps

Studio East offers performing arts education programming for students ages 4-19 through classes, camps, and workshops at our building in Kirkland, and at schools throughout the Eastside community!

At Studio East, we believe theater has the power to build confidence, creativity, and community. Our education programs offer young performers of all experience levels the opportunity to develop their skills, express themselves, and discover the magic of live performance. From engaging classes and workshops to exciting productions and summer camps, we provide a supportive environment where students can grow on and off the stage.

Mainstage Productions 

At Studio East, our Mainstage Productions bring young performers center stage, giving them the opportunity to shine in high-quality, fully produced shows. These productions are more than just performances—they’re transformative learning experiences where students develop confidence, teamwork, and storytelling skills under the guidance of professional directors and designers. These include a special production rehearsed through the year specifically for homeschooled students.

From beloved musicals to compelling plays, our Mainstage performances showcase the dedication and creativity of our students, delivering inspiring performances for audiences of all ages.

SchoolStage and School Programming

For over 30 years, Studio East has provided high-quality theater classes, workshops, and productions to local schools. Our experienced teaching artists offer drama programming for pre-K through 12th grade, fostering confidence, self-esteem, and team-building skills.

School programming options include in-school residencies, after-school enrichment classes, and SchoolStage, a six-week after-school residency program that partners with PTSAs to co-produce the school’s play. 

Storybook Theatre

StoryBook Theater productions are upbeat and fun 55-minute musicals, written especially for young people ages 3-10, but fun for grown-ups, too. Every story includes audience participation and conveys a positive life lesson for children. StoryBook shows are never scary and always have a happy ending.

Each season, we travel our shows around the Puget Sound Area and tour our shows at schools, zoos, museums, and different theatres. We also invite schools to bring their students to a StoryBook Theater show and experience the magic of live theater! StoryBook Theater offers weekday matinees for groups of 10 or more.

Performance Space:

Studio East currently operates out of a 17,530 square foot facility located at 10718 NE 68th Street, Kirkland, Washington. The building is a converted grocery store that features a proscenium theater with 99 seats, a full lobby with a box office, several offices and studios, a classroom, a dressing room, and various backstage storage and shop areas. This facility currently supports all of Studio East’s on-site activities and assumes that many staff members operate in a hybrid fashion, sharing spaces between programming or departments as needed.

Studio East moved into this space and renovated it in 2024 to serve as a transitional location before relocating to a more permanent site in the years ahead. Studio East has begun defining the needs for a new home and laying the groundwork for establishing relationships and securing funding to realize that future.

Our Acknowledgement

Studio East acknowledges that we reside on the traditional lands of the first inhabitants of Seattle: The Coast Salish People, which includes, but is not limited to, the Duwamish, Stillaguamish, Snoqualmie, Suquamish, Muckleshoot, and Tulalip Tribes. We extend our respects to the Coast Salish Peoples, their Elders – past, present, and emerging – for their wisdom, and we acknowledge their everlasting connection to the land, waters, and culture.

What We Are Looking for in Our New Executive Director

Studio East’s next Executive Director will have the ability to combine business savvy with heartfelt community relations , inspiring all those involved with Studio East—including the staff, board, and the children and families in our area—to grow together and achieve great things. Above all else, our next Executive Director will be a collaborative leader who is energized by the opportunity to shape our next chapter. This individual will possess a combination of forward vision and strong fundraising abilities , with the ability to build a robust human infrastructure at Studio East that unifies staff, community, and board members under a shared mission. 

Human Expectations and Personal Values

Our team is excited to bring into Studio East an Executive Director who is a kind yet decisive professional—someone who knows when to listen and when to act—with a genuine passion for guiding Studio East toward a vibrant, sustainable future.

The Executive Director we desire will embody a leadership style rooted in empathy, clarity, and professionalism. Strong interpersonal skills and conflict management skills are essential, enabling them to navigate differing perspectives with compassion while maintaining firm, thoughtful decision-making. This leader will listen actively and engage with staff,  board, and the community through a lens of support for others, fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued.

They will be a dynamic, inspiring leader with a proven ability to build and nurture trust and human connection. They will excel at bringing together diverse groups, uniting them around a shared vision, and leveraging individual talents to achieve meaningful outcomes. As a compelling ambassador for Studio East, they will communicate clearly and passionately with Studio East’s broad range of stakeholders—staff, board, artists, patrons, partners, and families alike. Transparency and open communication will be foundational to their leadership style. They will understand that trust is built through honesty—even in the face of setbacks—and that maintaining clarity fosters collaboration and swift resolution. This is especially important in uncertain and changing times.

Recognizing that many of our staff and board are early in their professional journeys, the Executive Director will bring clarity and structure to the Studio’s processes and governance. Establishing clear professional boundaries and expectations for communication will be critical to creating a culture where everyone can thrive and succeed.

We value a leader who respects the work already accomplished by Studio East’s current team, entering with humility and a willingness to learn from our collective experience. Approachability, openness, and inclusivity are essential, as is the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower others to grow professionally.

Our ideal leader strikes a balance between openness and decisiveness—someone who thoughtfully considers ideas and input, yet is confident in making final decisions that serve the best interests of Studio East, even when those choices may not please everyone. They are comfortable engaging with emotional dynamics, working collaboratively to resolve challenges with creativity and flexibility.

This individual leads with kindness and strength, fostering a safe and supportive environment where both youth and staff feel encouraged to be themselves. They are community-centered, collaborative, and strategic, delegating effectively while maintaining active involvement in building partnerships, particularly in fundraising and facility development. Ideally, this person will know how to build deep roots in the local community and will have a background in arts and education, sharing our commitment to nurturing creativity, collaboration, and growth.

What Executive Leadership Means to Us

We have taken the time to consider what we need from an Executive leader, as a human, in terms of specific skills, and in terms of providing authentic leadership for our community. More than any particular skill, we need our Executive Director to have a robust and specific understanding of leadership for our team. Some of the ways we would love to see this show up in the day-to-day include:

1. Clarity on Decision Making. Studio East needs specificity on where ‘the buck stops’ in different areas, and how things move forward when there is conflict between team leaders on the staff or board.
   
    
2. Change Management on Short and Long Timelines. Leadership requires the knowledge, authority, and presence to handle crises effectively, and to plan for larger shifts collaboratively.
   
    
3. Holding the Humanity of the Team. Leadership entails a responsibility to understand the people at Studio East, to possess the capacity to identify and address their needs and challenges, and to help them grow and expand in their engagement with the Studio East community.
   
    
4. Modeling Healthy Culture. Culture is Repeated Actions, and modeling by those who hold power is highly impactful. The daily actions of those seen as executive leaders shape the overall sentiment of the organization. Staff members commented extensively on the importance of leadership modeling behaviors and actions for team members to emulate, which promotes a healthy and thriving organizational culture. 
5. Operational Strategy. Executive leadership involves looking at the big picture and coordinating how different functional areas (Board, Education, Production, Operations, and Development) work together to build upon each other.
   
    
6. Board Partnership. Staff leadership entails having the ability, knowledge, and enthusiasm to partner with and support both the Board and the staff.
   
    
7. Accountability for Accountability. We need to establish clear expectations and ensure that all team members' commitments are well-defined, that follow-up is maintained, and that adjustments are made as needed. This includes creating and embracing accountability behaviors for the executive leaders, directors, and the board as well.
   
    
8. Regional and National Representation. Our leadership needs to be able to represent Studio East effectively in various forums beyond Kirkland, as appropriate.

Where our Executive Director will have Exceptional Practical Skills

The Studio East team brings a range of capabilities to the table. Still, there are specific tasks and responsibilities that our Executive Director needs to be able to handle personally, bringing particular strengths and skills to these areas. 

Currently, the staff is led by an interim team that includes two permanent directors: Kaysy Ostrum, Director of Education and Outreach, and Alex Robinson, Director of Artistic and Production. With those two parts of the organization well-supported, we have identified th e need for Director-level leadership in areas such as strategy, operations, finance, and fundraising . We have discussed several approaches to this, and have settled on the following which informs our search for a new Executive leader.

We envision a new Executive Director for Studio East who has exceptional skills in development and fundraising , and who can be brilliantly effective at serving as the public face of the Studio with confidence and warmth. This version of our Executive Director would personally lead the fundraising and external relations at Studio East, and would be comfortable engaging socially and professionally in fundraising settings, connecting authentically with donors and supporters to secure vital resources.

To work with the new Executive Director, we expect to also hire a new Director of Finance and Operations, who would serve as the internal foundation for Studio East’s day-to-day operations, financial functions, and internal systems and strategies. This takes some pressure off the Executive Director to lead in those functions, and will allow them to focus on fundraising, relationships, and serving as the executive leader as their primary roles.

Where our Executive Director will Engage with Others on the Team

Our team at Studio East has many skills and capabilities to bring to bear, so we don’t need the Executive Director to be good at everything. Having provided excellent executive leadership and direct execution in key areas, we expect them to collaborate with others and support the experts in their work. While we do not expect our Executive Director to be more knowledgeable and capable than others in Studio East in every area, we do need them to have sufficient expertise to collaborate with us effectively. 

These include:

• Nonprofit Financial Management. The Executive Director should have at least a high-level understanding of nonprofit financial management. Familiarity with budget constraints, an understanding of unexpected financial challenges, and the ability to analyze financial reports will equip them to work effectively with the rest of the team, including the Board, helping to make strategic choices that balance creative ambitions and community care with fiscal responsibility.
• Educational Theatre and Youth Programming. A foundational understanding of educational theatre and youth programming will be essential as the Executive Director will need to carry a strong sense of Theatre Education. While they don’t need to be an expert in educational pedagogy or come from a teaching background, they will appreciate our teaching philosophy and understand how to support educators for all types of learners. 
• Board Collaboration, Governance, and Relationship Building. We expect the relationship between the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to be built on mutual respect, clear expectations, and open communication. The Executive Director will inspire and empower the board to be effective partners, ambassadors, or advocates without overburdening them with day-to-day management responsibilities. At the same time, the Executive Director and the Board will maintain open and transparent communication with one another in order to support mutual accountability and to nurture a culture where board and staff feel empowered to share honest, transparent updates with each other, even when the news is difficult.
• Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement. As a community-centered organization, our Executive Director should have strong ties or a deep understanding of the Eastside and Pacific Northwest communities. The authentic, down-to-earth spirit of our region is integral to Studio East’s identity, and we desire to intentionally maintain those relationships. The right leader will understand the value of staff staying in roles for the long term, allowing for organic and intentional relationship building to lead to stability, lasting growth, and impact . 
• Theater and the Performing Arts. A deep appreciation for theatre and its unique ecosystem is essential. We seek someone who understands and respects the art form at the heart of our work. This understanding will extend to valuing the vast array of programs that form the fabric of our community engagement. The Executive Director will joyfully embrace the full spectrum of our offerings—from Mainstage productions to youth education and community outreach —regardless of whether they can run each program or teach each class themselves.

How We Will Support Our New Executive Director

We know that the arrival of a new Executive Director at Studio East means that everyone will need to adapt to new ways of working and a different collaborative working style. As we explore various ways to collaborate, we want to ensure that our new Executive Director, along with the rest of the staff, feels supported and engaged in all aspects of the company.

To that end, Studio East commits to providing:

• Salary: $95k-115k range (This salary reflects an organizational shift from a dual leadership model to a single-executive model, which consolidates responsibilities and results in higher compensation compared to previous roles.)
• Insurance, Paid Time Off, and Retirement Matching Benefits
• Mentorship or Advisory support during the first year with Creative Evolutions and industry peers (see more information in the Search Process below).

How this Search will Operate – Values, Communication, and Compensation

Overall Estimated Timeline:

After the end of the application period, please reach out if you. If you are still interested, we will let you know if there is still an opportunity for consideration.

 

• Preferred Application Period: June 26, 2025, to August 1, 2025 
• Initial Candidate Meetings: July 15 - August 13, 2025
• Semi-Finalist Meetings (Virtual): August 20 - August 29, 2025 
• Finalist Meetings On-Site in Kirkland, Washington: September 2025
• Employment Begins: Fall 2025
• After an initial submission of interest, selected candidates will be invited for a virtual Candidate Meeting with Calida Jones and Doug Clayton from Creative Evolutions . Following the initial meetings, a group of candidates will be advanced to a virtual semi-final round. Candidates who advance as Finalists will be invited to come to Kirkland to tour the Studio East space and meet the team in person.
  
   

Semi-finalist candidates will all be compensated $200 for their participation.  

Finalists will be compensated an additional $500 plus reimbursement of their reasonable travel, lodging, and food expenses for their trip.

This search process is rooted in values shared by Studio East and Creative Evolutions, and will include the following elements:

• It is essential to us that you are treated with respect and appreciated for the value you bring to Studio East through your participation in this process. Candidates who do not advance will be notified promptly.
• Throughout the process, we commit to maintaining active communication with you, so you are never uncertain about what is happening or where things stand with your application or the hiring process.
• It is essential that the whole company, including the staff and board, participate in the selection process. Final candidates will have the opportunity to visit the site and meet the team before a hiring decision is made.

Additionally, Creative Evolutions is engaging paid Industry advisors who will collaborate with Creative Evolutions to design and participate in Semi-finalist meetings as part of the process. These advisors will provide their perceptions and evaluations to the board. They will also commit to being available for quarterly calls with the selected Executive Director during their first year of employment at Studio East. This ongoing support is intended to strengthen Studio East as an organization and to provide strong collegial or mentorship support to the new Executive Director during the transition period.

How to Express Your Interest

Begin your application through Creative Evolutions' portal in JazzHR (to the right) . Throughout the process, you will be in communication with Douglas Clayton , and Calida Jones . You will not, at any time, go more than two weeks without an update on where you are in the search process.

With your submission, please include:

• Your resume. The resume can be of any length and style. However, we encourage you to adjust it as necessary to help us see how your history and experience align with the current circumstances, intentions, and aspirations of Studio East.
  
   
• Instead of providing a standard cover letter , please provide written responses (through the portal) to the following questions:
  
   
  • Tell us about who you are as an artist and a leader. What unique qualities or experiences make you a wonderful person to lead a youth-oriented performing arts organization?
  • In this role you would be leading the overall organization, and also be the primary personal fundraiser and development leader. Please share a major fundraising success from your background and how what you learned from that experience informs your approach to fundraising going forward.
  • Describe a time when you encountered differing values or priorities within a team. How did you approach exploring these differences, and what actions did you use to foster unity?
  • From the list of key elements of leadership that we are seeking (page 6), which one do you feel is easiest and most instinctive for you, and which one do you feel you might not have as instinctively and need more partnership with others on the leadership team to provide?
  • Studio East places a high value on collaboration, intentional community engagement, and decisive leadership. What specific action-based practices have you used in past roles to cultivate an effective AND inclusive environment?
• If you wish, feel free to share how you self-identify so we can honor you and your preferences in our communications with you!

If possible, please have any attachments included in PDF format.

If you have any questions about the position or your submission, please feel free to email, and we will be happy to discuss with you at any time!

Douglas Clayton – [email protected]

Calida Jones - [email protected]

About Creative Evolutions

As an ecosystem of people who create human-centered actionable solutions for creative individuals and organizations, the team at Creative Evolutions believes deeply that individuals and organizations can be brought together in mutually supportive ways so that the advancement of one becomes the advancement of all. All of our processes and recommendations, including in hiring and staffing, come back to these concepts of ecosystem building, adapting in response to the moment, and putting human beings first.

In Executive Search support, Creative Evolutions has pioneered new processes that include commitments to active communication, paying semi-finalist and finalist candidates for the value they create, engaging paid industry advisors as part of the evaluation process, building onboarding and mentorship into hiring, and structuring executive positions around healthy organizational team dynamics. Each hiring process is different, and the toolbox of approaches for engaging new people into teams expands with each process we support.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Summer work, Local area, Remote job, Relocation, Shift work, Weekday work,

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