Artistic Director

Tasks & duties

Artistic directors may do some or all of the following:

• plan the shows to be put on at the theatre
• read scripts of shows and choose which are to be performed
• help plan budgets
• help plan marketing for productions
• liaise with sponsors
• hire designers, directors, actors and technical staff as required for each production
• discuss the production with the director and production crew
• audition the cast 
• direct or choreograph shows
• keep up to date with what's happening in the arts

Skills & knowledge

Artistic directors need to have:

Entry requirements

To become an artistic director you need to have directed plays or worked in theatre or dance companies.

Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become an artistic director. However, useful subjects include English, drama, classics, history, physical education and biology.

Tertiary education

A diploma in drama, a Bachelor of Arts majoring in drama or dance, and courses in film and theatre production, arts administration or business management may be useful for artistic directors.

Training on the job

Artistic directors gain skills on the job. They often attend courses in theatre or business management.

Useful experience

Useful experience for artistic directors includes:

• directing or producing plays or films
• choreography
• other theatre or film work such as acting or writing plays
• business or finance management experience and knowledge of budgets

Related courses

Dance
Drama and Theatre Studies
Music
Nga Mahi a Rehia (Maori Performing Arts)

For more information, please refer to Career Services.