Thespys National Program Manager

Please note: This position will not be filled until 2026. We are starting a long recruitment process to ensure we find the right candidate. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and candidates may experience a longer timeline than usual between stages. We appreciate your patience and interest in joining EdTA.

Who We Are

The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire and support theatre education. We are home to the International Thespian Society, the honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students, and we host the International Thespian Festival (ITF)—a premier event celebrating student artistry and achievement.

About the Role

We’re looking for an experienced program and event manager who thrives in high-energy environments, can balance details with big-picture strategy, and is passionate about advancing theatre education. You’ll lead logistics and operations for the Thespys competitions, partner with regional coordinators, and serve as the go-to contact for adjudicators, educators, and participants. This is not a traditional 9–5 role—it requires evenings, weekends, and significant travel to support events nationwide.

A Typical Day May Include

• Building and managing the competition schedule at ITF, including rooms, timing, and event flow.
• Coordinating technical requirements (staging, sound, lighting, and virtual platforms).
• Recruiting, training, and supporting adjudicators, volunteers, and event staff.
• Overseeing competitor registration, scoring systems, and awards processes.
• Supporting regional coordinators to ensure compliance, equity, and accessibility.
• Collecting and analyzing event data to identify improvements for future cycles.
• Leading post-event reports and appeals processes, ensuring transparency and fairness.

Role Progression

• Within 1 month: You’ll be fully onboarded into EdTA systems, familiarize yourself with national Thespy standards, and begin supporting regional partners.
• Within 3 months: You’ll take ownership of ITF logistics, adjudicator training, and competition communications.
• Within 6 months: You’ll independently lead a full competition cycle, from regional support to national festival execution, and present data-driven insights for improvement.

About You

• You are passionate about arts education and equity in student opportunities.
• You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and thrive in fast-paced, live-event environments.
• You have strong communication and leadership skills and enjoy working with diverse stakeholders.
• You can problem-solve in real time, stay calm under pressure, and adapt quickly.
• You’re excited to travel frequently and embrace a flexible, unconventional schedule.
• You enjoy working with tabulation/scoring platforms.

Nice to Have but Not Necessary

• Certification in event management or project management.
• Familiarity with copyright, licensing, and performance rights.
• Experience working at large-scale arts festivals.

Why Choose Us?

At EdTA, you’ll be part of a mission-driven team working to secure the future of theatre education for students nationwide. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the financial future of a mission-driven organization while supporting educators, students, and arts communities nationwide.

We offer

• Holistic Total Rewards: This role offers a base salary of up to $75,000 per year depending on experience. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, basic life, and disability, 403(b) + match as well as generous paid time off.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plan.
• Generous paid time off and professional development opportunities.
• Mission-driven culture that values creativity, collaboration, and education.
• A supportive and inclusive workplace.

Educational Theatre Association is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, disability, arrest or conviction record, pregnancy, credit history, salary history, caregiver status, marital status, partnership status, or status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking and sex offenses, religion, sex, genetic information, military status, unemployment status or any other characteristic as protected by law. With regard to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws, we will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for persons due to their religious beliefs; disability; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition; or because the individual was a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking.