Abbey Theatre Amharclann na Mainistreach | Job Description

JOB TITLE: Literary Assistant

RESPONSIBLE TO: Literary Director

The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s national theatre and occupies a unique position in the hearts and minds of Irish people. It comprises of two theatres: the Abbey, with a seating capacity of 492 seats, and the Peacock, with a seating capacity of 157 seats. The Abbey is committed to producing a year round programme of work both on and off stage, with the priority to create work of excellence, which not only showcases Irish and international drama but also engages with the artistic and civic life of contemporary Ireland.

Since its founding by writers in 1903 the Abbey Theatre has been fostering and producing new work. The Abbey's Literary Department is constantly commissioning new and established Irish writers to write the plays of the future. Alongside its commissioning work the Literary Department encourages new writers through ongoing development initiatives including regular in-house play readings, workshops and script discussions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

•Acting as an assistant to the Literary Director

•Acting as office manager for the Literary Department

•Negotiating contracts and licences with both writers and agents

•Managing the Literary Department budget and expenditure

•Managing all readings and workshops including actor and director’s payments

•Facilitating the development of the newly established studio space

•Managing the readers panel, arranging regular meetings, overseeing payments and complimentary ticket allocation

•Being the point of contact for writers and directors on a day to day basis

•Reading and reporting on scripts

•Liaising with the press and marketing department on the sourcing and provision of programme notes for all programmes

•Liaising with publishers and writers and managing the Abbey Playscript series

•Recruiting and monitoring staff for the Abbey panel of readers

•Managing the unsolicited script process – accepting approximately 400 scripts a year and liaising with the Senior Reader when responding to them

•Managing the unsolicited script database

•Providing an in-house photocopying service for commissioned plays and for the purpose of programming and readings

•Liaising with stage management to secure and update final performances scripts for records

•Responding to queries on submission guidelines and general enquiries

PERSON SPECIFICATION
The ideal candidate will relish the challenge and opportunities presented by this role, with:

•Strong interest in theatre/arts
•Excellent interpersonal skills
•Flexibility and the ability to meet deadlines under pressure
•Excellent administration skills
•The ability to use initiative
•Attention to detail

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

•The ideal candidate should have a third level qualification and/or experience of working in the area of new writing and theatre.
•Excellent reading, writing and editorial skills, experience of critical and creative reading, deep knowledge of and passion for theatre and new plays.
•The Literary Assistant should be able to work well and also have the administrative ability to work within a busy Literary Department.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

•Salary commensurate with skills and experience.
•24 days holidays per annum (including Good Friday & Christmas Eve)

Please send a letter of application, along with a recent CV to:

Cliona Bolger
HR Administrator
Abbey Theatre
26 Lower Abbey Street
Dublin 1

OR

Email: cliona.bolger@abbeytheatre.ie

The closing date for applications is Friday 29th February 2008.

The Abbey Theatre is an equal opportunities employer.