ANIMAL WISDOM FELLOW-SIGNATURE THEATRE

Signature Theatre, one of New York’s leading off-Broadway theatres, is seeking a Fellow for our production of Animal Wisdom, by our playwright resident, Heather Christian. The Animal Wisdom Fellow is a full-time, temporary member of Signature’s team. Working closely with Signature staff, the Animal Wisdom Fellow will provide administrative and logistical support. The fellow will work directly with Signature’s Production, General Management, Development, Marketing, Artistic, Finance, and Human Resources teams.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 20, 2026. This position will begin on April 1, 2026 and ends June 14, 2026 with the possibility for extension through June 28th.

About Signature

Founded in 1991, Signature Theatre celebrates playwrights and gives them an artistic home through playwriting residencies. In 2005, Signature began its groundbreaking Signature Ticket Initiative, providing affordable tickets to all of its productions. In 2012, Signature opened the Pershing Square Signature Center, the Frank Gehry-designed 75,000 square foot Center featuring three theatres, two rehearsal studios, a central, public lobby with a café and bookstore, as well as administrative offices.

Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre field and aligning with Signature Theatre’s artistic mission and institutional priorities focused on playwrights, community and access are strongly encouraged to apply.

Signature is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access and welcomes candidates who have demonstrable experience advocating for underrepresented communities.?

All employees of Signature Theatre have a responsibility to be active in the institution's continued commitment to its Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility values and goals. Please read our commitment to creating a theatre focused on EDIA at signaturetheatre.org.

Compensation and Additional Resources

• $22.00/hour/ 40 hours each week. Exact daily and weekly work schedule will be determined between administration and the fellow upon hiring. Please note that Signature’s office hours are 10am-6pm and this fellowship may include some occasional evening hours. Hours that exceed 40 hours in a given work week, will be paid at the overtime rate of $33.00/hour.
• Mentorship opportunities include but are not limited to an assigned mentor from each of the following departments: General Management, Production, Marketing, Artistic, Finance and Human Resources. The Fellow will receive cross departmental learning opportunities while shadowing departmental mentors for an assigned period during the fellowship.
• Regular professional development lunch-and-learns with Signature staff and artists.
• Goal setting workshops and check-ins.
• Access to industry conferences, roundtables and networking events, and theatre professionals when available.

Before Applying

• Familiarize yourself with Signature’s artists, programming, staff, and mission, available on our website
• Think through artists and works that excite you – ones you have seen, heard, and/or read
• Think through your personal strengths and areas where you are looking to grow your knowledge further through an opportunity like this fellowship

Application Instructions

Please apply through Signature’s jobs portal

You will be prompted to upload a resume and answer the following questions (250 words per question):

Questions:

1. Why are you interested in working at Signature supporting this project?
2. What skills and experiences will you bring to this role?
3. What skills and experiences are you hoping to gain upon completing the fellowship?
4. Please share details of a challenging moment you have had during a moment of collaboration. How did you handle the challenge, and what did you learn from the experience?
5. What was an experience that shaped your views about theatre and inspired your interest in working in the arts?

Signature’s fellowship program requires no previous work or educational experience for participation. Fellowship selection will be based on demonstrable interest and commitment to a career in the arts with an ability to articulate how a fellowship at Signature will help the fellow learn and grow into the future leader they would like to become. Resumes should focus on meaningful experiences and outline responsibilities and achievements. They can include professional, academic and/or personal pursuits.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, affectional preference, gender identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health decisions, pregnancy, disability, genetic predisposition, age, military, or veteran status, marital or familial status, or any other protected characteristic, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

No phone calls, please. For more information about Signature, please visit www.signaturetheatre.org.

Requirements

Responsibilities

The Animal Wisdom Fellow will engage in structured rotations across various departments, ensuring a holistic understanding of theatre operations. The Fellow will be assigned department-specific mentors to guide their learning experience.

Departments include:

1. Artistic
2. Production
3. General & Company Management
4. Marketing
5. Development
6. Finance
7. Human Resources

Professional Mentorship

Weekly mentorship guidance with a department lead will enhance the fellows’ industry knowledge and career readiness.

Topics include:

• Contract Negotiation & Union Overview
• Grant Writing & Fundraising Strategies
• Culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Arts
• Financial Literacy for Arts Professionals
• Producing Theatre
• Audience Development and Community Engagement

Networking

STC’s fellow will be paired with an industry mentor - STC staff member.

• Fellows will participate in networking events with industry professionals, alumni, and partner organizations.
• Access to job shadowing opportunities with industry leaders or STC staff.

Live Project Assignment

Fellows will work collaboratively on weekly reflections with hosting department heads. These weekly reflections will help guide the fellow on selecting tier final Fellow Project. The Fellow Project is scheduled to be presented at the end of the Fellowship to your STC lead and a member of the STC leadership team. The project will serve as a representation of the fellow's work plans and allow the fellow to showcase their learning experience.

Examples of a project that a STC Fellow will be assigned to support through completion:

• Producing/Curating a staged reading or workshop production.
• Developing a marketing strategy for a production.
• Creating a community engagement initiative.

Desired Skills and Experience

Signature’s fellowship program requires no previous work or educational experience for participation. Fellowship selection will be based on demonstrable interest and commitment to a career in the arts with an ability to articulate how a fellowship at Signature will help the fellow learn and grow into the future leader they would like to become. Resumes should focus on meaningful experiences and outline responsibilities and achievements. They can include professional, academic and/or personal pursuits.