Theatre Directors: Leadership In Performing Arts Venues

Theatre directorship might be perceived as an artistic profession, yet the Dutch performing arts sector separates those who create (the artists/actors) from the physical place where the performances will take place: the performing arts venue. This means that those in charge of the venues might not be as close to the creative ‘product’ as an outsider might originally think. So, what then does it entail to be a theatre director? Is it a manager’s position, waiting to be filled by anyone qualified? Or is there something specific that sets theatre directors apart from other sectors? This research looks into the job description of Dutch theatre directors and whether or not it is sector specific. It did so by interviewing theatre directors in the field as well as by conducting a sector-wide questionnaire. The study used the Cultural Scorecard model which serves as the basis for a new theatre director leadership model. This research found that there are three main facets that a theatre director has to master: the Organisation, the Social and the Cultural facet. Yet the results show that these three facets have to be accompanied by a force that keeps them together which is the Holy Fire. Without this, the theatre director might lack incentive to take on this demanding occupation.