Organizer Information
The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) is a multidisciplinary arts center located on the campus of Oregon State University (OSU) in Corvallis, Oregon, USA. Opened in 2024, the 49,900-square-foot facility serves as one of the Pacific Northwest's newest centers for contemporary arts, performance, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. PRAx was established to create a space where the arts intersect with science, technology, humanities, and community engagement, reflected in the organization's name, where the "x" symbolizes cross-disciplinary exchange.
The center features six venues, including a state-of-the-art concert hall, a flexible black box theater, an art gallery, outdoor performance spaces, and educational facilities. Every year, PRAx presents more than 180 events, ranging from concerts, theatre productions, artist talks, exhibitions, workshops, and university performances to international touring productions. Approximately 45 events are presented annually through the PRAx Presents series, bringing internationally acclaimed artists to Oregon.
Beyond public programming, PRAx supports artistic innovation through extensive residency, fellowship, and collaborative research initiatives. The organization partners artists, writers, scientists, and researchers to create projects exploring new approaches to creativity and knowledge. During the 2025–2026 season alone, PRAx awarded 93 fellowships and residencies across more than 20 programs.
As part of Oregon State University, PRAx is committed to accessibility, education, affordability, and public engagement. The center receives funding through university support, endowments, grants, and earned income, allowing it to maintain ambitious programming while keeping performances accessible to students and the wider community.
Title & Description
Director of Production and Presentation
Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) is seeking an experienced Director of Production and Presentation (DPP) to lead the artistic and technical production of one of the Pacific Northwest's most ambitious interdisciplinary arts centers.
This senior leadership position oversees every aspect of production management across more than 180 annual events. Working at the intersection of artistic vision, technical operations, and organizational strategy, the Director ensures that performances, festivals, residencies, university events, touring productions, and institutional presentations are executed at the highest artistic and operational standards.
The successful candidate will manage complex production schedules, supervise technical teams, coordinate visiting artists, oversee budgets, develop production strategies, and contribute to the long-term artistic development of PRAx. While many productions arrive with touring teams, the Director frequently assumes a creative leadership role by designing production solutions when visiting artists do not travel with technical staff.
As a member of PRAx's senior leadership team, the Director also contributes to organizational planning, artistic programming discussions, institutional events, and strategic decision-making.
The Role Overview
- Position: Director of Production and Presentation
- Organization: Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx)
- Location: Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Reporting to: Managing Director
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Salary: US$80,000–90,000 annually
Position & Tasks
The Director of Production and Presentation will lead both artistic and operational production across PRAx's extensive programming. Primary responsibilities include:
- Oversee production planning for more than 180 annual events.
- Interpret technical riders and transform artistic concepts into production plans.
- Coordinate lighting, sound, staging, rigging, video, hospitality, logistics, and technical operations.
- Lead production meetings with artists, agents, managers, and presenters.
- Develop production budgets and monitor expenditures.
- Create long-term production schedules and operational calendars.
- Supervise production department staff and student employees.
- Manage technical contractors and equipment maintenance.
- Coordinate venue operations across multiple performance spaces.
- Lead institutional productions including festivals, donor events, and season launches.
- Participate in live productions as production manager, stage manager, or technical supervisor when necessary.
- Collaborate with executive leadership on organizational planning.
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations and university policies.
- Support artist residencies and interdisciplinary programming.
Categories
- Performing Arts
- Arts Administration
- Production Management
- Technical Theatre
- Live Events
- Venue Operations
- Stage Management
- Music
- Theatre
- Cultural Management
Eligibility
Applicants should have:
- Bachelor's degree (required)
- Minimum five years of experience in project management, production management, venue operations, logistics, or related fields
- At least two years of experience in the performing arts sector
- Supervisory experience
- Ability to pass Oregon State University's criminal history check
Preferred qualifications include:
- Degree in an arts discipline
- Master's degree
- Project Management Certification
- Five years of leadership experience in a performing arts venue
International applicants may apply if they are legally eligible to work in the United States or can obtain appropriate work authorization.
Program Benefits
- Annual salary of US$80,000–90,000
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Retirement benefits
- Paid holidays and vacation
- Tuition reduction (70%) throughout Oregon's public university system
- Leadership role within a nationally recognized interdisciplinary arts center
- Opportunity to work with internationally renowned artists
- Participation in innovative artistic residencies and research collaborations
- Professional development within Oregon State University
- Creative leadership over one of the newest performing arts centers in the United States
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
Location
Corvallis, Oregon, United States
Additional Details
- Flexible work schedule including evenings and weekends.
- Position requires regular on-site presence.
- Work involves catwalks, scissor lifts, rigging systems, and high-sensory production environments.
- PRAx presents approximately 180 events annually across concerts, theatre, talks, exhibitions, workshops, and university programming.
- Around 70% of programming consists of touring and presented performances, while 30% focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations connecting artists with researchers and scientists.
- The Director serves as a key representative of PRAx, working closely with artists, agents, university leadership, technical teams, and external partners.
- The position plays an essential role in maintaining PRAx's artistic quality, operational excellence, and institutional reputation while advancing its mission to make the arts more accessible, collaborative, and innovative.