Associate Producer | Playbill

Associate Producer

CATEGORY: Administrative

The Orchard Project (The Association for Development of Dramatic Arts, Inc)
New York, NY
US

Job Details

DESCRIPTION

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

THE ORCHARD PROJECT

Rate: $28–$32/hour for remote work or equivalent if adjusted to retainer or full-time, commensurate with experience; $1,400/week while in residence in Saratoga Springs.
Additional Resources: Housing & all meals provided during Saratoga residency; travel reimbursement
Hours: 15–20 hours/week hybrid (September–May); ~45 hours/week while in residence (with one day off per week), mid-June–mid-July


About The Orchard Project

The Orchard Project (OP) is a leading artistic development organization supporting playwrights, composers, screenwriters, and generative artists working across theatre, audio, and episodic storytelling. With year-round programming and a nationally recognized summer residency in Saratoga Springs, OP serves hundreds of artists annually and acts as an incubator for new work that moves fluidly between nonprofit and commercial pathways. OP’s programs emphasize rigorous artistic development, deep artist relationships, and long-term sustainability for creators.


Position Overview

The Orchard Project seeks an Associate Producer to serve as a key artistic and operational leader within a rapidly growing organization dedicated to the development of bold new dramatic storytelling across multiple forms.

Working closely with the Artistic Director, Program Directors, and Consulting Producer, the Associate Producer will both execute and take ownership of major programs and initiatives, serving as a producing partner rather than a support-only role. This position is ideal for a collaborative, detail-oriented, and artist-centered producer eager to grow alongside an organization at a pivotal moment of expansion.

The Associate Producer will serve as Co–Program Director of the Performance Lab and as the primary producing point of contact for projects supported by and produced in association with The Orchard Project’s OPportunity Fund, leading cohorts and stewarding artist relationships across the life of each project.


Core Responsibilities

Artistic & Producing Leadership

  • Collaborate with the Artistic Director and Program Directors to plan, execute, and lead Orchard Project artistic programming across theatre, audio, and episodic verticals.

  • Serve as Co–Program Director of the Performance Lab, sharing leadership of artist selection, program structure, communications, and execution.

  • Support and help produce additional Orchard Project initiatives including cultivation events, industry partnerships, screen-based collaborations, and pop-up programming.

  • Supervise apprentices, seasonal staff, and contractors, fostering a collaborative, supportive, and accountable working environment.


OP Forward & OPportunity Fund

  • Serve as the primary producer and institutional lead for the OPportunity Fund, acting as chief point of contact for approximately 10–20 projects annually supported by or produced in association with the Fund.

  • Lead OPportunity Fund cohorts and supported artists through their engagement with The Orchard Project, including onboarding, producing support, coordination with OP staff, and long-term relationship stewardship.

  • Support OP Forward and OPportunity Fund programming, events, partnerships, and industry-facing initiatives, including OP Forward Industry Week.

  • Track projects, partnerships, and industry relationships, maintaining clear systems and institutional knowledge across programs.


Communications & Artist Relations

  • Serve as a liaison between The Orchard Project and the hundreds of artists it supports, maintaining clear, timely, and empathetic communication.

  • Support major communications with staff, board members, donors, alumni, and industry partners.

  • Uphold discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive artistic, financial, and organizational information.


Summer Season & Festival Producing

  • Work with the Artistic Director and Resident Producer as a line producer of the Orchard Project Summer Season, including pre-season planning and in-residence execution.

  • Pre-season responsibilities include scheduling, artist communications, offers and LOAs, venue rentals, calendars, and coordination with marketing and development.

  • While in residence (mid-June–mid-July), provide on-site producing support in Saratoga Springs, including:

    • Supporting residencies and readings

    • Light stage management duties for concerts and sharings

    • Helping produce the Orchard Project Summer Festival weekend

  • Maintain a professional, calm, and artist-centered presence during a fast-paced residency environment.


Qualifications & Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will:

  • Have at least two years of producing, arts administration, or theatre-based experience.

  • Be excited about working closely with generative artists and developing new work.

  • Have experience in one or more dramatic forms supported by the Orchard Project (theatre, audio, episodic, or interdisciplinary work).

  • Be comfortable both collaborating closely and owning projects independently.

  • Demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple timelines and priorities.

  • Have experience supervising or mentoring interns, apprentices, or seasonal staff.

  • Be a creative, forward-thinking producer with strong emotional intelligence and a sense of humor.

Producing Skills & Experience

  • Familiarity with theatre contracts, offers, and LOAs; comfort reviewing and managing agreements in collaboration with senior staff.

  • Experience working with production and program budgets, including tracking expenses and supporting financial planning.

  • A demonstrated excitement for process-driven development environments and iterative new work creation.

Technical Skills (Preferred)

  • Comfort working with tracking documents, calendars, and artist databases

  • Familiarity with artists, creative development processes, and content-driven work a plus.

  • Familiarity with Google Workspace, Slack, Asana, and CiviCRM (or similar CRMs) a plus


Schedule, Location & Compensation

  • Remote and/or hybrid work: 15–20 hours per week outside of the summer season

  • In residence: Approximately mid-June–mid-July in Saratoga Springs (continuous residency with one day off per week)

  • Compensation:

    • $28–$32/hour for remote work (commensurate with experience)

    • $1,400/week while in residence in Saratoga Springs

  • Housing, meals, and travel reimbursement provided during the Saratoga residency

The Orchard Project supports a remote and hybrid work environment outside of the summer season. Candidates based in NYC, Saratoga Springs, or within reasonable train or car distance to NYC are strongly encouraged to apply.


Professional Growth & Advancement

This role is designed with growth in mind. Based on experience, performance, and organizational needs, the position may scale to:

  • A monthly retainer

  • Expanded year-round hours

  • Or a full-time producing role

A key evaluation milestone will occur following the first summer season and OP Forward / OPportunity Fund cycle.


Equity & Inclusion

The Orchard Project (The Association for Development of Dramatic Arts, Inc.) is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates from historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.


How to Apply

Apply here:
https://orchardproject.com/work-with-the-op/

DURATION

Mar 1, 2026 -

SALARY

$28.00 – $32.00 per hour

HOW TO APPLY

APPLY ONLINE

https://orchardproject.com/work-with-the-op/