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Employment at Deertrees

If you have summer accommodations in the lakes region, (Windham, Standish, Raymond, Casco, Sebago, Naples, Frye Island, Norway, Paris, South Portland, Bridgton and Harrison) and want to be considered for employment, please reach out with an email introduction and let us know your area of expertise or interest.  We have a full season of possibilities that await this summer.  Please check the job description links below and

CONTACT US today with your qualifications.  Some positions have a housing option available.

Artistic/Executive Director

Artistic/Executive Director

Deertrees Theatre · Harrison, Maine · Full-time in summer, part-time the rest of the year

About Deertrees
Known as “Maine’s Most Enchanting Playhouse,” Deertrees Theatre is a historic summer theatre and nationally recognized landmark, built in 1936 and celebrating its 90th anniversary in the woods of Western Maine. Each summer the theater fills with musicals, plays, concerts, comedy, youth camps, and community events, and the grounds are home to an art gallery and the Salt Lick Cafe. We believe the performing and visual arts are essential to life in our region.

The Role
We are hiring an Artistic/Executive Director to lead the theatre’s operations, finances, and artistic direction. We are seeking a collaborative, people-centered leader who can run the business of a small nonprofit and shape what happens on its stage, working with an established team of staff, contractors, and volunteers, and who has a genuine passion for this theatre and its mission. In the future, we intend to establish a separate Artistic Director to lead programming alongside the Executive Director, and the person we hire now will help build toward that structure.

Current Staff and Consultants
The Executive Director hires and oversees the theatre’s team rather than doing its work directly. It currently includes:

  • Public relations and social media support
  • A production manager and lighting and technical support
  • Café staff at the Salt Lick
  • Seasonal contractors and dedicated volunteers

Finance and Fundraising

  • Own the annual budget, cash flow, and financial reporting
  • Manage every revenue stream, and oversee outsourced accounting and financial controls
  • Lead fundraising by cultivating donors, sponsors, and members, and writing grants
  • Plan signature events and grow contributed income year over year

Marketing, Communications, and Outreach 

  • Ensure a strong marketing presence across digital, social, email, and print that grows and retains audiences
  • Oversee public relations and media outreach that build the theatre’s regional profile
  • Champion the Deertrees brand, and serve as its public face and lead spokesperson
  • Foster community outreach and partnerships, and ensure sponsors and funders receive strong recognition
  • Artistic Programming (current scope)
  • Curate a diverse, financially viable season across theatre, music, comedy, family, and community events
  • Book touring and guest artists, and oversee in-house productions from auditions through closing night
  • Manage performance rights, royalties, and licensing
  • Guide the art gallery, visual arts, and youth education programs, including summer camps

    Note: These duties sit with the Executive Director for now and will move to a dedicated Artistic Director once that role is established.

Operations, Facility, and Production

  • Run daily operations, the box office, and seasonal staffing
  • Oversee the Salt Lick Café and its staff, including food-service and licensing compliance
  • Support the production manager on technical production, and oversee facility maintenance and capital projects
  • Manage vendors and contracts, and care for a historic property and everyone who uses it
    Team and Board Leadership
  • Hire, supervise, develop, and support staff and consultants, including a new café manager
  • Foster a positive, respectful workplace, and retain seasonal and year-round talent
  • Partner with the volunteer Board to set strategy, steward the mission, and pursue shared goals
  • Provide clear, candid reporting, and support board and volunteer recruitment and engagement

What We’re Looking For

  • A deep passion for the performing arts and a genuine commitment to the Deertrees mission
  • Leadership experience in nonprofit management, arts administration, or a comparable field
  • Financial fluency and a track record in fundraising
  • Marketing and communications savvy, with a knack for growing audiences
  • A collaborative partner to the board and a strong, supportive people manager
  • An affinity for historic venues and small-community cultural life

    A plus: hands-on production experience such as lighting or live sound, though staff handle this work.

Compensation
$35,000 per year. The role is full-time on-site during the summer season and part-time the rest of the year, with evening and weekend work during active programming.

To Apply
Send a resume and cover letter describing your leadership experience, and what draws you to Deertrees to [email protected]

Summer Technical Director – 2027 Season

Deertrees Theatre (Harrison, Maine) seeks an energetic, organized, and hands-on Technical Director (TD) for our 300-seat historic venue and adjoining support spaces. This seasonal role oversees all technical operations for concerts, performances, and special events.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide technical leadership for all productions, tours, and rentals, ensuring safe and smooth venue operations.
  • Build, source, and supervise construction of all scenic elements; prepare working drawings and manage scenic budgets.
  • Oversee load-ins, changeovers, strikes, and production timelines.
  • Operate and maintain lighting (ETC Ion), sound (Midas M32), video/projection, wireless mics, and QLab. Live mixing required.
  • Train and supervise youth technicians, volunteers, and shop staff; maintain a safe and organized shop.
  • Maintain theatre equipment, tools, and stock inventory.
  • Collaborate with designers and the Artistic Director on all technical needs; attend production and budget meetings.
  • Pre-season coordination with Artistic Director and design teams.

Qualifications

  • Degree in theatre production or related field preferred; relevant experience accepted.
  • Minimum one year in theatre production/operations.
  • Strong carpentry, tool use, and shop safety knowledge; ability to lift 75 lbs and work at heights.
  • Reliable, self-directed, and skilled at customer service and teamwork.
  • Familiarity with towing trailers; basic computer skills; CPR/First Aid a plus.
  • Valid driver’s license required.

Position Details

  • Part-time seasonal (approx. 25 hrs/week), May 10–September 10
  • Salary: $6,500 – $10,000 (commensurate with experience)
  • Housing included: May 10 – September 10
  • No benefits.

APPLICATION: 

Send cover letter, resume and salary requirements by email only to:

Gail Phaneuf, Executive/Artistic Director  Deertrees Theatre Ltd

[email protected]

Deertrees Theatre Ltd is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position: Marketing Manager & PR Liaison

Part-time, Year-round

Deertrees Theatre is a professional regional summer theater in Harrison, Maine, producing new works, concerts, and diverse seasonal programming. We seek a part-time Marketing Manager & PR Liaison to join our small, creative team.

About Our Mission

Deertrees Theatre supports the arts in Western Maine through innovative performances, artist development, and preservation of our historic venue. We aim to engage audiences, foster creativity, and offer enriching cultural experiences.

Key Responsibilities

  • Plan, execute, and report on marketing and communications for productions, festivals, concerts, and programs.

  • Pitch stories and maintain relationships with local and regional media.

  • Create visual and written content—including copywriting, design, photography, and video.

  • Produce and design email campaigns in MailChimp for productions, fundraising, and programs.

  • Write press releases, coordinate media outreach, and invite reviewers.

  • Manage social media channels and oversee website updates with current content and imagery.

  • Support group sales, season ticket initiatives, and community outreach.

  • Assist with ticketing and provide reporting from box office software.

  • Deliver high-level customer service to ticket buyers, donors, and patrons.

  • Work with outside vendors and identify creative, cost-effective marketing opportunities in a nonprofit environment.

Skills & Experience

  • Marketing experience in a cultural or performing arts organization.

  • Strong social media strategy and implementation skills.

  • Ability to inspire audiences, cultivate patron relationships, and promote ticket sales.

  • Proficient in copywriting and visual design.

  • Required software: Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Squarespace, Eventbrite, Ticketstripe, Weebly, MailChimp.

  • Strong project management skills and ability to meet deadlines and budgets.

  • Ability to create original video content for social media is a plus.

Compensation

  • Competitive and negotiable based on experience.

  • No health insurance provided at this time.

To Apply

Email cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to:
Gail Phaneuf, Executive/Artistic Director
[email protected]

Deertrees Theatre Ltd is an Equal Opportunity Employer.