Critical Stages Announces Closure

On the evening of Monday 16 October, the CST Board made the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation. As a result, the company has ceased to trade, with all employment contracts terminated.

2023 has been an incredibly difficult year for CST financially.  The touring landscape changed dramatically following the COVID shutdown period, with sharp increases in freight and travel costs coupled with decreased engagement and available investment in the marketplace. While audiences were starting to return to see live performance with more confidence, this has been slower than anticipated and impacted further this year with ongoing economic pressures.

We understand the tremendous impact that this decision will have on you, along with all of CST’s stakeholders, friends, and family. The impact it will have on the independent theatre sector, and our amazing community partners, is heartbreaking beyond words.

Right now, our primary focus is to support our CST team in Sydney and Melbourne, our touring parties, and all of the artists and crew members who have been directly affected by this news in the short term.

If you are an existing client or stakeholder that needs assistance with accounts enquiries or to understand more about the liquidation process please contact Olivia Pejovski at JLA Advisory on 02 9231 0505 / olivia@JLAinsolvency.com.au

Everyone here at Critical Stages greatly appreciates your understanding and support during this challenging time.

For now, this is our final curtain call. To all of those who have been a part of our amazing legacy of independent story telling and live theatrical experiences, we send a heartfelt thank you.

We sincerely believe that from this devastating news there is hope, and that there is still a deep need for the work that CST does. We look to the future optimistic that a new kind of Critical Stages is yet possible.

Thank you,
Team CST

Work With Us: Production Manager

Critical Stages Touring’s goal is to make outstanding live theatre accessible to audiences throughout Australia. Our vision is to enable regional communities to have the same access to high quality theatre as metropolitan audiences, and to foster a sustainable and diverse national independent theatre sector.

We are looking for a Production Manager to join our upcoming tour of Jodee Mundy’s Personal

Tour Dates: Thurs 21 September – Friday 13th Oct + some handover with current PM (paid)

Locations: VIC/NSW

  1. Nanawading
  2. Frankston
  3. Bendigo
  4. Chatswood
  5. Bathurst
  6. Narre Warren

Tour Party:

  • 1 x Performer
  • 1 x SM
  • 1 x PM 
  • 1 x Support Personnel

PM duties:

  • Pre-Production – liaise with venues on technical aspects of the show
  • Seasons – oversee technical aspects of bump in / support critical stages with logistical and technical planning
  • Post Production: Ensure hire items are returned, and company owned set / tech gear is returned to storage.

Tech info on show:This show incorporates intermediate to complex vision and audio, operated from QLAB, which also triggers the lighting via OSC protocol.

Set:

  • Spiked and registered carpet square floor
  • Carboard boxes
  • (note crates have been custom built for storage and transport of set)

LX: Lighting is straightforward plan ideal for touring – design by Jenny Hector.

Audio: Uses a soundcard provided by company to manage 7 outputs and 1 input

  • 1 x radio mic
  • All operated via Qlab

Vision:

  • Carboard box set pieces get moved around stage, and vision is projected onto these boxes.
  • Experience with AV to troubleshoot and map surfaces in QLAB ideal.

Vehicles:

  • 2 x vehicles provided – 1 x hi top van and 1 x tour part vehicle.
  • It will be expected the SM / PM share driving duties of the Hi Top Van

The ideal candidate will have: 

  • Vision and QLAB skills (essential)
  • Ability to call lighting focus and oversee conversations with venues.
  • Basic audio skills

Please send your interest and a short cv/resume to judy[@]criticalstages.com.au.

CLOSING DATE: COB Sunday 13th August

Work With Us: Junior Bookkeeper

Critical Stages Touring’s goal is to make outstanding live theatre accessible to audiences throughout Australia. Our vision is to enable regional communities to have the same access to high quality theatre as metropolitan audiences, and to foster a sustainable and diverse national independent theatre sector. We support outstanding theatre makers to achieve their touring ambitions and regional presenters to achieve their audience development and cultural goals.

We are looking for a part time bookkeeper (approximately 12-15 hours per week) to take on the following responsibilities:

  • Accounts Receivable including generating invoices, verifying and accurately posting all payments to the correct invoices.
  • Accounts payable including entering invoices and making weekly batch payments.
  • Payroll for staff, cast and creatives on a weekly basis including set up of employee cards and organising superannuation payments.
  • Maintaining all electronic accounting systems/
  • Liaising with Finance Manager.
  • Other ad hoc and reporting duties as required

The ideal candidate would come with: 

  • Experience with MYOB including payroll
  • Proficient in Microsoft 365 and Office
  • Strong numeracy and organisation skills
  • Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Able to start work as soon as possible

Please send your resume and covering letter to accounts@criticalstages.com.au.

CLOSING DATE: COB Wednesday 16th August, 2023

Work With Us: Marketing & Engagement Coordinator

If you’re a talented, multi-skilled, and passionate Marketing and Engagement professional looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a national role, we want to hear from you! 

Based in our Sydney office in the Arts Exchange, you’ll be working with a small and dynamic team to help deliver a suite of theatrical experiences to communities across the country – from the nation’s most famous venues to much-loved community hubs in regional centres and far-flung places.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for providing strategic communications advice and support across our business functions, including community engagement, philanthropy, artist support, and tour engagement. You’ll work closely with senior producers and the CEO to develop strategies that will help shape our brand and reputation, while supporting up to twelve tours annually to meet sales and engagement goals in-community.

You’ll ideally have experience working with multiple projects at once, and have outstanding communication skills as you’ll be working directly with artists, industry, and presenters. Experience working with WordPress, Mailchimp, and the Adobe Design Suite would be an advantage.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for:

  • Develop and manage the marketing strategy for the organisation, and its current and future productions.
  • Collaborate with artists and presentation partners throughout the touring cycle to refine strategies to support venue activities. (our venue check-ins and knowledge sharing can genuinely fun).
  • Manage the CST website, Screening Room, and blog.
  • Develop and manage audience engagement components of current and future productions, in collaboration with artistic and presentation partners.
  • Management and coordination of social media channels.
  • Assistance in design of touring marketing collateral and content.
  • Design of organisational marketing and promotional material, including presentations for arts markets and forums, and documentation for proposals/applications.
  • Deliver required reporting for board and acquittal reports.
  • Surveys and Data Collection (Culture Counts).

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

  • minimum 3-5 years’ experience in a marketing and or communications role.
  • excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
  • proven track record of budgeting, creating, and implementing successful marketing campaigns.
  • good project management skills.
  • experience in developing marketing and production guides.
  • expertise in guiding the creative development of campaigns.
  • good data analysis and analytical skills.
  • experience with CRM platforms.
  • experience in collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
  • tertiary qualification ideally incorporating marketing, communications, business, creative arts and or entertainment management.

In this role, you’ll receive:

  • competitive salary, paid pro rata part time (0.6 FTE).
  • a seat at the table of an organisation with a national outlook and impact.
  • opportunity to initiate creative and engagement programs.
  • autonomy with day-to-day tasks within a group that’s committed to delivering outstanding theatrical experiences to audiences everywhere.

To apply please forward a short cover email and your CV to info@criticalstages.com.au.

CLOSING DATE: Midnight Sunday, 21st May

Critical Stages Touring Announces New Chief Executive Officer

Robbi James, CEO & Director

Chair of Critical Stages Touring (CST), Mark Thomas, today confirmed Robbi James as new Chief Executive Officer and Director of Critical Stages Touring.

“We are delighted that Robbi has accepted our offer to become the CEO/Director of Critical Stages Touring” Mark Thomas said.

Robbi James steps into the role after four years as the company’s Marketing and Engagement Manager, during which time he also helped establish independent production house Rogue Projects as their Executive Creative Producer.

Prior to joining CST, Robbi enjoyed a successful career across media, retail, communications, and business development. He completed a Masters of Arts Management at the Sydney Opera House with the Australian Institute of Music in 2018.

Working closely with our small and talented CST team in Sydney, Robbi is tasked with leading the organisation and shaping the development of strategies that contribute to the company’s sustainability, and the sustainability of the broader small and medium theatre sector.

“After an exhaustive process the board is convinced that Robbi is the right person at the right time at this stage in the company’s development”, commented Mark, “His ideas for the future of Critical Stages Touring will breathe some fresh air into our offer and the sector.  I look forward to what the future holds”.

Speaking about his appointment, newly appointed CEO and Director Robbi James said: “Critical Stages Touring plays a vital role in the nation’s independent theatre ecology, most importantly in venues and communities in regional, remote, and rural Australia. I’m deeply passionate about the quality and potential of independent storytellers, and I’m looking forward to building on CST’s amazing production history to continue bringing new experiences to audiences everywhere.”

Mark Thomas also thanked Scarlet McGlynn, who has been acting in the role of CEO at Critical Stages Touring for the past 4 months.  “The board and I thank Scarlet for stepping into the breach during a very busy time for the organisation. Without any hiccups she has led the team into a packed schedule with eleven shows touring the nation.”

Robbi commences his role with Critical Stages Touring immediately.

WORK WITH US – TOUR DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAM MANAGER

Come and work at Australia’s national touring theatre company, Critical Stages Touring, where you’ll work with a small team that is passionate about discovering and developing outstanding independent theatre for audiences everywhere. We create outstanding live performing arts experiences that can travel, connecting these with diverse regional communities, and fostering a sustainable and diverse national independent theatre sector.

TO APPLY

To request further information, please contact Chris Bendall (details below). To apply please send a cover letter, a statement responding to selection criteria and a full CV including names and the contact details of two referees to:

Chris Bendall, Director & CEO – info@criticalstages.com.au

Applications for this position close Friday 26th August 2022.

Tour Development and Program Manager


Part-time (0.6 FTE).
Contract – 12 Months
Immediate Start

Are you passionate about live performing arts and do you love regional and independent theatre? Do you know your Bunbury from Busselton, and Broken Hill from Bordertown? Have you got a brain for logistics, scheduling, and building itineraries? Do you want to work with Australia’s busiest regional performing arts touring organisation?

Then this is for you.

We’re looking for a highly organised, motivated, energetic multi-taskerto join Critical Stags Touring in this key role. Help us shape the future of Australian touring!

The Tour Development and Program Manager is a key role within Critical Stages Touring’s organisation, responsible for working closely with the CEO/Director in developing upcoming touring programs, and chiefly responsible for liaising with presenters including venues, festivals and regional communities around Australia to build itineraries for all productions.

The position reports directly to the CEO/Director.

The Critical Stages Touring office is based in The Rocks in Sydney and we are looking for someone who can be Sydney-based for this role.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Management of presenter liaison to support building tour itineraries, logistics and planning for productions. This includes:
  • Developing strong familiarity and understanding of Critical Stages Touring productions in touring menu and key collaborating artists.
  • Presentation and pitching of productions at arts markets in collaboration with artists and Critical Stages Touring Director.
  • Promoting shows to presenters to develop new interest in Critical Stages Touring productions.
  • Building logical and concise touring itineraries for all Critical Stages Touring productions.
  • Negotiating dates and fees and confirming presentation seasons.
  • Developing touring program in collaboration with Director.
  • Strengthening relationships with existing presenters and pro-actively developing new relationships with potential presenting partners.
  • Supporting Director on funding applications as required to ensure tour viability.
  • Collaborating with Critical Stages Touring team in preparation of tours as required, including development of marketing, production, budgeting, and tour delivery.

 

SKILLS CRITERIA

  • Experience producing, developing or programming performing arts tours.
  • High level organisational and time management skills including working to tight deadlines.
  • High level logistics skill.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated ability developing and managing relationships.
  • Demonstrated ability working effectively and harmoniously with artists and creative teams.
  • Development ability working independently, taking initiative and managing a busy workflow.
  • High level experience at developing production budgets.
  • Experience at writing successful government funding applications
  • High level computer efficiency-MS Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook and Dropbox

 

EDUCATION & PRIOR WORKING EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

Minimum 5 years’ experience in a production or programming role for the performing arts sector.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

  • Experience in performing arts touring in Australia.
  • Tertiary qualification in theatre, entertainment or arts management or an equivalent relevant knowledge, training and/or experience
  • Available for immediate start.

Featured image: 2022 premiere production of Black Sun/Blood Moon. Image by Jackie Cooper

WORK WITH US – SENIOR PRODUCER & CREATIVE PRODUCER NEEDED

We’re seeking a Creative Producer and Senior Producer. Come and work at Australia’s national touring theatre company, Critical Stages Touring, where you’ll work with a small team that is passionate about discovering and developing outstanding independent theatre for audiences everywhere. We create outstanding live performing arts experiences that can travel, connecting these with diverse regional communities, and fostering a sustainable and diverse national independent theatre sector. Applications Close Sunday, June 11.

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