Board of Directors Member for Queer Theatre Company

The Strides Collective, a Philadelphia-area non-profit theatre company that produces and develops work by emerging queer artists, is seeking passionate, engaged individuals to join our Board of Directors.

Now in our Fourth Year, The Board of Directors is an essential part of the longevity and stability of The Strides Collective. In partnership with Collective leadership, Board Members are responsible for ensuring that TSC fulfills its mission and develops into a fiscally strong producing entity that serves as an incubator for new work by emerging queer artists, offering them a safe place to explore and grow with a like-minded community.

ABOUT US: Founded in 2020, The Strides Collective produces and develops theatrical work by emerging playwrights that embraces the queer experience through authentic, modern, and innovative storytelling. Our work prioritizes the goal of normalizing the conversation about queer identity, creating a safe haven in which emerging artists can tell their stories and have the ability to express themselves without fear of judgment.

Our first two seasons of programming took place online. Ignite and The Diamond Peak Studio Sessions - completely original, queer audio plays - streamed in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and reached audience members in over 20 states and in 10 countries. 

In 2022, we resumed in-person programming with the World Premiere of the pigeon. at The Christ Church Neighborhood House. Our 2023 Season featured a reading of bogfriends by jose sebastian alberdi at the Maas Building and the World Premiere of Sister of Mine by Kate McGunagle at The Community Education Center in University City. This year, we will produce the World Premiere of Confabulation by Matt Shyrkov at The Bob and Selma Horan Studio Theatre at the Arden Theatre Company. 

In addition to our mainstage productions, we support the development of new queer plays by emerging queer playwrights through our Emerging Playwrights Program and New Strides Play Fest. Alumni of our development programs have gone on to work with The National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, The Dramatist Guild Foundation, Primary Stages, The Tank NYC, and more.

To find out more about the Collective, please visit our website at https://www.stridescollective.com.

Role Description

This is a remote volunteer role for a Member of our Board of Directors. Board Members attend quarterly meetings to discuss and advise on the direction of the theatre company. Board Members also assist with fundraising efforts and contribute to decision-making processes for the organization.

Expectations

• Our Board of Directors is a relaxed, low-time commitment opportunity for folks who are passionate about this type of work.
• Our Board typically meets 4-5 times a year on Sunday or Monday evenings between 7pm-9pm on Zoom. The meetings are an hour long, and always scheduled around Board Member availability.
• There is no minimum financial requirement to be on our Board. We ask Board Members to donate an annual gift of personal significance.
• We are a young organization, and therefore our Board is mostly advisory at this juncture. Outside of meetings, there may be an additional 1-2 hours of work a month that usually involves sending emails or reaching out to donors to say thank you.

Qualifications

• Experience in non-profit management, fundraising, and/or board governance
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
• Commitment to advancing queer stories and voices in the arts
• Ability to work independently and remotely
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience