Production Publicist

The Free Will Players Theatre Guild was formed in 1989 by a group of actors in a truly co-operative spirit with the mandate to produce the works of William Shakespeare. The company presents the Freewill Shakespeare Festival, which has grown into a professional theatre festival with an annual audience of thousands. We stage outdoor productions every summer.

Ethnocultural Mandate

The Freewill Players is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and to building an organization that reflects the community we serve. We encourage applications from members of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities; Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people; disabled people; youth; and members of other equity seeking groups.

The Free Will Players Theatre Guild is seeking an experienced and highly organized Production Publicist to join our leadership team for the 2026 Freewill Shakespeare Festival. This role is ideal for someone passionate about audience engagement, special event coordination, and creating exceptional patron experiences in a live performance setting.

About the Role

The Production Publicist oversees audience engagement and special event coordination for the Freewill Shakespeare Festival, ensuring that patrons, sponsors, and community partners have a positive and memorable experience. Reporting to the Assistant Managing Director and working closely with the Artistic Director and Front of House Manager, this position leads all public-facing communications and coordinates special events, private bookings, and community outreach initiatives.

This role combines leadership, organization, and creative problem-solving to strengthen relationships with patrons, donors, sponsors, and community partners, while ensuring that all communications and events reflect the Festival’s professional standards and welcoming atmosphere.

Key Responsibilities

Plan, promote, and execute special events, private bookings, opening night receptions, and community engagement initiatives.
Serve as the primary point of contact for patrons, donors, sponsors, and community partners, ensuring clear communication and positive experiences.
Collaborate with the Front of House Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, and Festival Organizer to coordinate logistics, staffing, and audience flow.
Develop and maintain promotional materials, including social media content, newsletters, and press releases.
Oversee patron communications, ticketing, and reservation management for special events and community programs.
Monitor event operations and troubleshoot issues to enhance guest satisfaction.
Maintain accurate records related to bookings, communications, and patron engagement.
Support front-of-house operations as needed to ensure a consistent and welcoming patron experience.
Participate in safety briefings and assist with emergency or evacuation procedures during special events.

Who Should Apply

This role is well suited to individuals who have:

Experience in public relations, event management, or arts administration
Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
A proactive, solutions-oriented approach to live event challenges
A commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all patrons

Contract Details

Start Date: April 28, 2026
End Date: July 19, 2026
Pay: $20 per hour
Hours:
Pre-Festival: 20 hours/week (April 28 – June 14)
Festival: 40 hours/week (June 16 – July 12)
Post-Festival: 20 total hours (July 14 – July 19)

How to Apply

Please email cover letter and resume to info@freewillshakespeare.com with the subject line
Production Publicist – Freewill Shakespeare Festival.