Job Board

THE PROJECT:

Over the past year, Prairie Theatre Exchange, supported by other Winnipeg theatres and educational institutions, initiated a community-wide training and employment initiative to increase the size and depth of Winnipeg’s pool of backstage crew, stage managers and designers. Phase One of the work focused on understanding current challenges and exploring solutions. Phase Two , which will be the mandate of the new Backstage Pathways Liaison, will begin integrating workers into new and existing opportunities. This work is essential to re-building Winnipeg’s backstage talent.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Reporting to PTE’s Artistic Director, the Liaison will lead Phase Two of the Backstage Pathways Initiative. Part matchmaker, part agent , part diplomat, you will pair potential backstage workers with training and mentorship opportunities; coordinate low-barrier training to fill gaps in current programs; and cultivate partnerships between community organizations, funders, and government representatives to ensure the future success of this project. The Backstage Pathways Liaison will be a tenacious self-starter responsible for understanding and championing the vision of the program. You will play a pivotal role in opening the theatre field to new talent, strengthening cross-organizational collaboration, and laying the foundation for a resilient and diverse backstage workforce in our theatre community. View the full job description here.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Dive into the Data
  • Gain a thorough understanding of the data collected through Phase One of the project.
  • Bring your experience and knowledge of backstage roles and add to an existing database of the experience and qualities needed to succeed in those roles.
  • Track progress, maintain participant data, and prepare reports for funders and stakeholders.
• Get Yourself on Everyone’s Speed Dial
  • Establish relationships and rapport with partner organizations, collaborate to integrate staffing needs, training opportunities, and resource-sharing.
  • Build relationships with diverse communities, community organizations, and educational institutions to increase awareness and access to backstage theatre careers. Become Winnipeg’s Theatre Matchmaker
  • Matchmake emerging, skilled workers with backstage employment opportunities.
  • Be an industry advocate and career counsellor for potential workers looking to enter the workforce.
  • Matchmake potential workers with training opportunities to provide them with sufficient knowledge to begin their career journey.
• Understand and Overcome Roadblocks
  • Develop workshops, mentorships, and apprenticeships to fill training gaps.
  • Coordinate and attend events to attract, assess, and recruit potential workers.
  • Work with sensitivity and understanding of cultural differences when developing strategies to remove barriers for potential workers.
• Deliver the Dollars
  • Support the search for future funding and contribute to the long-term planning of a sustainable backstage workforce in our community.
  • Disburse funds to partner organizations and trainees to enable new mentorships, workshops, etc.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and resume via email to Katie Inverarity, Managing Director (katie@pte.mb.ca) by Monday, November 30, 2026, 5pm MBT. All applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

Not 100% sure of your qualifications? If your experience looks a little different than what we have outlined, but you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. Please tell us what you can bring to this role.

Prairie Theatre Exchange appreciates all submissions of interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. This position is funded by the Manitoba Arts Council and The Winnipeg Foundation.