Artistic Director
/ORGANIZATION:
Factory Theatre
DEADLINE:
Feb. 15, 2026
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Founded in 1970 by Ken Gass and Frank Trotz, Factory Theatre was the first company in the history of this country to produce only Canadian plays. Its huge initial success led to the founding of the Alternate Theatre Movement, which radically changed the face of Canadian theatre in favour of the Canadian voice. For more than 50 years, Factory has been known as the “Home of the Canadian Playwright” and has produced more than 300 new Canadian plays in mainstage productions and 600 more in workshop and other formats.
Throughout the 1970s, Factory operated out of several venues across Toronto. In 1979, founding artistic director Ken Gass left the company, and Bob White assumed the artistic leadership (1979–87). In 1984, Factory moved into its present location at 125 Bathurst Street. Under the Artistic Direction of Jackie Maxwell (1987–1995), the company continued its commitment to new Canadian work and developed a strong presence in translating the work of Quebecois authors for English-speaking audiences. Ken Gass (1996–2012) returned to Factory at a time of great financial duress. With the commitment of all its talented staff, led by its Artistic and Managing Directors, the subsequent period was one of operational stabilization and the presentation of dynamic seasons that increasingly focused on the work of culturally diverse artists and diverse theatrical voices. From 2012–2014, Nina Lee Aquino and Nigel Shawn Williams were Co-Artistic Directors, and beginning in 2014, Nina was appointed sole Artistic Director of Factory, the first person of colour to lead the organization and the first woman of colour to serve as Artistic Director of a venued theatre company in Canada.
Alongside the appointment of Nina Lee Aquino, Factory quickly established itself at the forefront of an emerging movement in Canadian theatre. A new, young, and diverse community of artists coalesced around Nina’s leadership and once again put Factory at the nexus of an important cultural moment in Toronto. Nina’s tenure approached Factory’s Canadian Theatre mandate through an intercultural lens, interrogating our understanding of Canadian identity through developing new plays that spoke to a breadth of cultural experiences under the Canadian umbrella and reimagining the canon with diverse artistic teams at their centre. Over 10 seasons, Nina programmed a diverse lineup of world and Toronto premiere productions; established multiyear creative relationships with playwrights; added bold re-interpretations of classic Canadian plays; fostered relationships with theatre companies across the country through Factory’s CrossCurrents Canada presentation series; and secured Factory’s reputation as a leader in developing new plays and championing writers. Nina’s tenure also saw a renewed commitment to artist training and pedagogy centred on new play development and intercultural creation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Factory became a national leader in digital theatre creation, producing 14 world premieres commissioned specifically for digital platforms and engaging artists and audiences across every province and territory.
From 2022, Artistic Director Mel Hague guided Factory through post-pandemic renewal marked by bold programming, partnerships, and a recommitment to Canadian voices, ranging from re-engagement with Canadian classics to new works exploring genre-based storytelling and innovative approaches to creation.
WEBSITE:
https://www.factorytheatre.ca/
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Factory Theatre (Toronto, Canada) is seeking a visionary, creative, and energetic individual to serve as its next Artistic Director. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working in partnership with the Managing Director, the Artistic Director is responsible for developing and implementing an imaginative and compelling vision that shapes the strategic direction of all artistic programs at Factory. The role focuses on original Canadian works, audience development, and artist and community engagement initiatives.
The Artistic Director will be a leader in the Toronto arts community with a strong desire to engage locally, provincially, and nationally. The successful candidate will build audiences, collaborate across public and private sectors, and support strategic artistic priorities through partnership and leadership.
As the artistic leader of Factory Theatre, the Artistic Director will be a thought partner in organizational planning and advancement, implementing the strategic plan while fostering a thriving, creative, and diverse culture. Factory Theatre is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from individuals who contribute to this commitment.
Factory Theatre is currently evaluating options for facility renewal, including redevelopment or relocation, with a significant renewal phase likely in the next 2–5 years.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Artistic Direction
Overall artistic direction of the theatre, including season programming, hiring artistic and production personnel, overseeing casting and creative teams, and creative and budget development
Development of short- and long-term artistic programs and policies aligned with organizational goals
Collaboration with the Managing Director on long-term operational strategies
Development of the annual creative plan for productions, workshops, readings, festivals, co-productions, and potential digital programming
Artistic leadership in planning for programming, communications, and education
Directing one full-scale production per season and participating in play development and artist training activities
Oversight of artist training, play development programs, and related staff
Hiring, supervising, and evaluating artistic and technical personnel
Leadership & Governance
Shared executive leadership with the Managing Director
Ensuring compliance with legal, financial, and contractual requirements
Acting as liaison to the Board of Directors and reporting on artistic activity
Attendance at staff and Board meetings
Operations and Fiscal Management
Co-producing and managing budgets for all season productions
Budget creation and monitoring with the Managing Director and Board committees
Co-creating grant applications and identifying new funding sources
Active participation in fundraising initiatives
Advocacy, Community Relations and Marketing
Acting as a public spokesperson for Factory Theatre
Advancing relationships with government, community, and arts organizations
Supporting branding, marketing, and communications strategies
Participating in sector events and attending performances by peer organizations
Capital Management and Development
Planning and executing short- and long-term facility projects
QUALIFICATIONS:
8+ years of progressive experience in strategic artistic leadership in Canadian theatre, with a focus on new play development
Experience as a theatre director and/or dramaturge in programming and creative team selection
Superior written and verbal communication skills
Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop teams
Ability to translate artistic values into programming and strategy
Experience as an Artistic Director in a venue is an asset
HOW TO APPLY:
The search is led by Martin Bragg & Associates. Applicants should review the full position profile on the Factory Theatre website. To apply in confidence, please email a letter of interest and resume in Word or PDF format to factory@mbassociates.ca.
REMUNERATION:
$80,000–$90,000 annually, commensurate with experience, plus benefits and paid vacation.
