Artistic Director
Odyssey Theatre
Job Location:
Ottawa
Application Due Date:
Work Environment:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Full Time
Contact info:
May 15, 2026
About the Role
About The Opportunity
This is an opportunity to shape the artistic direction and future programming of a company that makes a distinctive contribution to Ottawa’s cultural life and to Canadian theatre.
We are seeking an Artistic Director with an imaginative vision, committed to achieving artistic
excellence, advancing masked theatre as a contemporary art form, and furthering Odyssey’s impact, and engagement with audiences and communities. The Artistic Director reports to the Board of Directors, while collaborating closely with the General Manager.
Key Responsibilities
• Shape the vision -- Articulate a compelling artistic vision to guide the company and advance masked and physical theatre in Canada
• Curate – Plan and oversee seasons featuring a major production, a digital mask resource centre,, training, new play creation, and community engagement activities
• Create – Undertake your artistic work to further the Company’s mandate
• Champion New Work -- Promote the creation original plays for masked theatre
• Build creative teams – Oversee the hiring of artistic staff
• Support Community – Build key relationships with diverse artists, audiences, and the public.
Qualifications
You bring:
• A passion and interest in Odyssey’s mandate, role and programs
• Experience in masked theatre and related forms such as puppetry and dance-theatre
• A track record of artistic leadership and high quality artistic practice
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Effective priority setting and organizational skills
• An ability to balance working independently and taking initiative while collaborating with the Board, General Manager, staff, artists and community stakeholders
About the Organization
Odyssey Theatre is an award-winning professional theatre celebrated for its for imaginative and visceral masked theatre productions in Ottawa’s beautiful Strathcona park. Our shows weave in related arts including puppetry, physical theatre forms and international forms of dance-theatre.
We explore universal themes and modern issues through myth, folklore, and satire. Our programs also include:
• New Play Creation for works in our field
• Specialized training for professional artists and youth
• Odyssey’s World of Theatre Masks, a digital mask resource centre (launching in 2027)
• Community Outreach that engages underserved groups
As we enter our fourth decade, we are pursuing exciting plans for growth, including international
collaborations and facility development.
