We’re Hiring: Managing Director

The Opportunity 

For more than two decades, Obsidian Theatre Company has been a defining force in Canadian theatre, championing Black artistry, developing exceptional talent, and bringing powerful Black stories to stages and audiences across the country. As Canada’s leading culturally specific theatre company dedicated to the exploration, development, and production of the Black voice, Obsidian has earned a national reputation for artistic excellence, ambition, and impact. Its Dora Award-winning work draws from a worldwide canon, with a particular commitment to acclaimed and emerging Black playwrights whose stories, perspectives, and creative voices continue to enrich and shape Canadian theatre. That reputation has made Obsidian a sought-after creative partner, collaborating with other prominent cultural institutions, including Mirvish Productions, Harbourfront Centre, Canadian Stage, The Shaw Festival, Citadel Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, Nightwood Theatre, and many others. Of note, Obsidian’s influence is equally powerful beyond the stage. Through artist development, training, mentorship, and creative partnerships, the company has helped cultivate generations of Black playwrights, performers, directors, designers, and arts professionals—creating space not simply for Black artists to participate in Canadian theatre, but to lead, experiment, take risks, and thrive beyond it. 

After nearly a decade of leadership from its outgoing General Manager, Obsidian Theatre is preparing for an important leadership transition. At this significant moment, Obsidian invites nominations and applications for the newly titled role of Managing Director—a rare opportunity for a driven and accomplished leader to help shape the future of one of Canada’s most celebrated theatre companies.

About the Role

The Managing Director is one of two senior executives leading Obsidian Theatre Company, working in close partnership with the Artistic Director and reporting to the Board of Directors. While the Artistic Director leads the company’s artistic vision and programming, the Managing Director leads the organizational infrastructure that makes that vision possible—ensuring financial sustainability and operational excellence, supporting the Board in delivering its governance mandate, and strategically positioning Obsidian for continued growth and impact.

With oversight of finance, administration, revenue development, people and culture, operations, governance, and external relations, the Managing Director has a broad mandate. They will work with the Artistic Director and Board to establish organizational priorities and translate them into clear plans, budgets, and measures of success; ensure the effective stewardship of the company’s resources; and maintain the systems, policies, and practices required for a healthy and high-performing organization. They will also oversee Obsidian’s approach to government and granting bodies, fundraising, sponsorships, and other revenue opportunities, ensuring the company has the resources required to sustain and expand its work.

Externally, the Managing Director will be an important representative of Obsidian, building relationships across the theatre sector and with funders, government, community partners, donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders. Working alongside the Artistic Director, they will seek out opportunities for collaboration, investment, and greater visibility—helping ensure that Obsidian continues to grow its reach, strengthen its standing, and remain an influential force in Canadian theatre.

Qualifications

Among the qualifications sought in candidates, the incoming leader must have a deep and abiding commitment to advancing reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all its forms and must believe, intrinsically, in the importance of leading with curiosity and welcoming ideas that can later be synthesized and turned into possibility. While all candidates are encouraged to apply and, in so doing, share how they see themselves adding value to the Obsidian environment, the following credentials and/or experiences are seen as possible markers of the candidates most likely to realize success in the role: 

• A demonstrated commitment to advancing Black artists and Black cultural expression, together with an understanding of the purpose, significance, and potential of Black and/or culturally specific institutions;
• Strategic leadership experience, including the ability to develop a compelling organizational direction and translate vision and artistic ambition into concrete plans, priorities, and results;
• Knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to quickly understand, the theatre sector and its operating environment, with an appreciation for the opportunities, realities, and relationships that shape the creation and production of theatre;
• Strong financial literacy and commercial acumen, with demonstrated comfort overseeing budgets, financial planning, organizational sustainability, risk, and the responsible stewardship of resources;
• Experience growing and diversifying revenue, including knowledge of granting bodies and funding cycles, the ability to develop compelling grant applications, and experience cultivating partnerships, sponsorships, donors, and/or other sources of support;
• Strong interpersonal and people leadership skills, with the ability to build trust, develop others, navigate different perspectives, and foster an inclusive, accountable, and collaborative organizational culture; and
• Demonstrated ability as a persuasive and influential relationship builder who can serve as an effective ambassador for Obsidian—deepening relationships across the theatre and cultural sectors, expanding the organization’s exposure, and further elevating its profile and influence nationally and beyond.

This is a full-time position based in Toronto, with a salary range of $75,000 to $90,000 commensurate with experience. Obsidian currently operates in a hybrid working environment, with an expectation that staff will work collectively in the office at least three days each week. The position requires occasional evening and weekend attendance at performances, rehearsals, fundraising events, Board meetings, community engagements, and special events. The position also calls for occasional travel, as needed. 

How to Apply

Obsidian is a strong advocate for diversity in all its forms and is partnering with BES Executive Search to ensure an equity-integrated search process. Applicants are guided through what BES calls ‘The BES Experience’—a thoughtful, candidate-centred process that meets candidates with support and care throughout the search process. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply by clicking HERE. 

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), applicants living with a disability will be provided with accommodation throughout the search process. Should accommodations be required, please make Jason Murray and/or Melissa Sumnauth aware by emailing msumnauth@bessearch.com.  

BES is deeply grateful to all who express interest in this opportunity and recognize the time and effort that goes into submitting an expression of interest. While only those most closely aligned with the position requirements will be contacted for an interview, all applications are reviewed with thoughtfulness and will receive correspondence from the firm as part of our commitment to delivering a respectful and inclusive candidate experience.

BES Executive Search Inc. does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants.

Thank You, Michael: A Farewell to Our General Manager

CANADA’S LEADING BLACK ARTS ORGANIZATION, OBSIDIAN THEATRE COMPANY, ANNOUNCES MICHAEL SINCLAIR WILL BE STEPPING DOWN AS THE GENERAL MANAGER

Toronto, ON – August 21, 2026 Obsidian Theatre Company announced today that General Manager Michael Sinclair will step down December 31, 2026, following a nine-year tenure with the company.

Michael joined Obsidian in the role of General Manager in 2017 and he brought with him an extensive knowledge of the arts community after being a stage manager for over 20 years.  He has a degree in Accounting (Concordia University) and training in the accounting field.  As Obsidian’s General Manager, he effectively combined his financial background and administrative expertise, culminating in his superior leadership of the company. While in his role as GM at Obsidian, Michael has served and is currently on the boards of the Toronto Arts Council (TAC) and the Stage Managing the Arts (SMArts).  He is also the Past President of the Board of Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA). He served on the search committees of several arts organizations in their search for replacement of leadership roles including TAC, Factory Theatre, Summerworks to name a few. Michael has worked closely with Obsidian’s artistic leadership, Board of Directors, staff, funders and community partners to support the company’s operations and advance its mandate. His contribution has helped provide the organizational foundation that allows Obsidian to continue creating ambitious work, investing in Black artists and contributing to the broader Canadian theatre landscape.

Michael’s association with Obsidian began long before 2017, when he assumed the role of the Company’s General Manager – position rebranded to Managing Director for his replacement.  Michael stage-managed Obsidian’s first production in 2001, Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God, written and directed by Djanet Sears, and went on to stage manage several of Obsidian’s other shows after that. While stage managing, Michael worked with several of the country’s leading theatre companies including Mirvish Productions, The Stratford Festival, Soulpepper Theatre, Canadian Stage and Young Peoples Theatre to name a few. 

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Michael for his service and commitment to Obsidian,” said Beverley Thomas-Barnes, Chair of the Board of Directors.  “Leading a small arts organization requires an extraordinary combination of dedication, adaptability and care.  Michael has brought those qualities to his work and has been a valued partner to the Board, our artistic leadership and the entire Obsidian team.  In my role, I have had the opportunity to experience his professionalism, authenticity, unwavering guidance and advice. We wish him every happiness as he begins this next chapter.”

Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu, Artistic Director of Obsidian, added; “I am immensely grateful to Michael for his incredible support to me and my vision as an artistic leader over the past six years. He has been such a loyal, trusted, co-leader and confidante, always ready to walk through fire for the company and the artists that we serve. He is such an important voice not only to Obsidian, but to the industry, in all the ways he has served and supported artists in the rehearsal hall as a stage manager, as a GM and on many boards and forums over his expansive career. PLUS, he is simply the best human, with the biggest heart. We will deeply miss him at Obsidian, but we are all excited for him and what he chooses to do next.”

Reflecting on his time with Obsidian, Michael said:

“I knew going to work at Obsidian as their General Manager was a great move. Working with Philip and being able to pick his brain was a total no brainer for me. Having worked with Philip as Director/Stage Manager was a dream, he valued and encouraged my input and as GM it was more of the same but knowing that he would shut me down just as easily if my ideas were counterproductive, Thank you, boss man!  From day one on the job as GM, the community reached out with a generosity of support to help the transition, there are some people that I have to single out and thank. Thank you, Tania, Beth and Keith, there were several others but I need to you know it was appreciated.  To the Board past and present, while I won’t mention individuals, you have all guided me, prodded and pushed me to become a better Human, thank you. Obsidian is a place that humanizes your soul, gives you a sense of belonging and makes you a member of the family. danjelani, Cherise and Natasha you are a powerhouse team and I will truly miss you. Mumbi, we worked together at World Pride 2014 outside of the OTC realm, but we became really close after you started here at Obsidian.  You have been an inspiration from championing 21 Black Futures, with a small staff while in a pandemic. Your directing skills on some of the shows you have done at OTC has left me in awe. More than that you have become more than just a colleague, but a true friend that I will treasure and hold close to my heart as I move on. THANK YOU FRIEND! I will end this with a line from one of the shows I did:  “A Time Novelette A Time!”

Michael will continue to work with the Board and Artistic Director until December 31, 2026 to ensure a smooth transition.  The Board has started the process of recruiting Obsidian’s Managing Director, one who can build on Michael’s remarkable legacy. A public call for the position is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Obsidian will recognize Michael and celebrate his leadership, vision and immense contribution to the Company at an event in the near future.

Announcing our Season Pass and first-ever Black Out Night Pass!

Obsidian Theatre’s 2026–27 season is electric with four unmissable productions! Lock in early with our Season Pass and our first-ever Black Out Night Pass!

From the razor-sharp, genre-defying Bootycandy to the gripping, visceral The Fishermen, the charged and urgent Definition, and the irresistible, joyful Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. This is a season that crackles with Black brilliance.

Lock in with our Season Pass for your chance to see our most ambitious season yet at our early-bird discounted rate! And for the first time ever, our Black Out Night Pass is your invitation to experience theatre made by and for the Black community. Four nights of electric storytelling, all season long.

Black Out Night Pass: $100
Season Pass (Early Bird until Aug 7): $170
Limited passes available!

All prices include HST & fees. No refunds

Celebrate Playwrights Unit and our 26th Season!

Our Playwrights Unit, Pierrette Walker, Keira Silverglen, and Shailyn Pierre-Dixon will be sharing excerpts from their work after 8-months of intensive development led by Toronto-based actor and writer Lisa Codrington.

Our 25/26 season was filled with love, legacy and creation. Celebrate this past season with us after our Playwrights Unit Showcase! Meet the playwrights, connect with fellow artists and theatre lovers, enjoy good vibes, food & drinks available for purchase.

More about the excerpts:

Amorphous by Keira Silverglen

Amorphous follows Seraphina Goldman, a young Black Orthodox Jewish woman, on the eve of her wedding. When three of her Black ancestors appear in her childhood home – summoned through a box of unsent letters – Seraphina is forced to confront the part of herself she’s long buried.

Brotherhood is Not my Kin by Shailyn Pierre-Dixon

ACAB. Pigs. KKK. Abusers. Brutalists. Trigger-happy babies. Rapists in uniform. Self-esteem issues. Mommy issues. Daddy issues. Racists. Hypocrites. Whiteness is rightness. Uniforms are blood. Back the blue is not for you. Diversity hire. Uncle Tom. Black Master. White man’s dog. It’s different. I’m different. I can save them. Let me help them. From the inside. I can change them. I believe. I love. I promise. Listen. Listen. I can. Oh. oh.

Confronting Blackness in places of authority and the exploitation of Black isolation from within.

When Widows Speak by Pierrette Walker

When Widows Speak is an invitation into the lives of three women navigating the impact and shifts following the loss of their partners. It is an invitation to sit with the nuances of grief, its discomforts, its humor and its transformative possibilities – whether we want to or not. It is a dance between reality and the metaphysical. When Widows Speak is dedicated to those who were ever made to feel “too much” for feeling love and its layers- what some call grief or loss, and what others call memory.

Introducing Autumn Taylor!

We’re excited to announce our new Canada Summer Jobs Art Administrator, Autumn Taylor!

Autumn Taylor (Ted Talk Host/The Bed) is excited to be making her Toronto Fringe 2026 debut. Originally from Montreal, she discovered her love of theatre while studying at Concordia University, where she developed a passion for acting and performance. Her theatre experience spans both classical and contemporary work, including playing Caliban in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Armande in Molière’s The Learned Ladies, and puppeteering in a stage adaptation of Lynda Barry’s The Freddie Stories. When not on stage, she can be found pretending to be an online influencer for her 300 Instagram followers, reading smut, unintentionally murdering plants, and adoring her only child—a cat named Luna.

Announcing our 26/27 Season!

This season may be one of our largest and most adventurous seasons to date.

From a subversive coming-of-age queer story in the American South, to a story of two brothers from a fishing town in Nigeria, to an intimate story about a Black family in Toronto, to a West African hair braiding store in Harlem – we are excited to shine a spotlight on diverse Black communities. 

We hope these stories will inspire, make you laugh, make you think, move you, touch your soul and continue to shed new light to the breadth of our humanity.Now, more than ever, it takes a village to make great theatre and we are so are excited to work with all our partners. We are so grateful for your continued support and cannot wait to see you at theatre!

Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu, Artistic Director, Obsidian Theatre 

Illustrations by Celeste Cole

Young, Gifted and Black Presents: Basbousa

Our Young, Gifted and Black cohort has been working really hard writing, directing, and designing, Basbousa!

Young, Gifted and Black Showcase

May 29, 2026- 7:30pm

May 30, 2026 – 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St

As the April 2023 conflict breaks out in Sudan, Adama in Toronto makes urgent phone calls to her grandmother Rania living in Khartoum. Basbousa is a story about the recipes we inherit, the homes we carry within us, and the impossible choices families make in times of crisis.

Written and created by Abigail Whitney, Ghislan Sutherland-Timm, Nála Simone Lendor and Stephon Smith

Watch below to learn about Basbousa!

Photo of the YGB Cohort by Dahlia Katz
Video by Roya DelSol

Canada Summer Jobs – Arts Administrator

We’re hiring an Arts Administrator as part of the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program! Join Toronto’s leading Black theatre company this summer. 

• 8 week Contract
• Hybrid work environment
• Start Date: Monday, June 1, 2026
• End Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
• 35 hours a week, at $20/hour
• Must meet Canada Summer Jobs eligibility requirements

Applications are open until May 15, 2026, but we’ll be reviewing applications as they come in.

As part of the requirements under the Canada Summer Jobs program, the applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements, at minimum:

• Is between the ages of 18 – 30 at the start time of employment
• Be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or someone to whom Refugee Status has been granted/conferred
• Have a valid SIN
• International students, and those who are here in Canada on a work, youth, or visitor visa/permit are not eligible

Skill Requirements:

• Ability to keep detail-oriented records.
• Exceptional people skills to deal effectively with different artists, audiences, and/or donors
• Proven writing skills for crafting compelling social media captions, website/newsletter content, and other communications
• Has the ability to learn how to use CRM systems (Societ Sumac), social media schedulers (Metricool) and email marketing platforms (Mailchimp)  
• Shows initiative and is able to meet deadlines and handle concurrent projects, with a strong track record of fulfilling commitments
• Thrives working both independently and as a team member
• Demonstrates a high proficiency in Google Suite apps (Sheets, Docs)
• Familiarity with Mac operating systems
• Interest in and capacity to learn more about development, marketing, and administration

Major Responsibilities: 

• Supporting the Artistic Producer with general administration and event planning for Playwrights Unit Showcase
• Collect statistics and testimonials to develop a final report for our Young, Gifted and Black and Playwrights Unit development programs
• Assist with organizing online files in our NAS Database System and Google Drive
• Assisting with data entry to maintain and update our donor files in our CRM System
• Write and coordinate donor recognition through phone calls, or mailing thank you letters
• Execute social media posts and email marketing campaigns
• Assist with regular website updates 
• Other administrative and event support duties as needed
• Participate in weekly staff meetings

Black Out Night

May 8

An evening created by and for the Black community. A space to celebrate Black stories, artists, and audiences. It’s a night for Black theatregoers to come together and experience theatre through shared culture, joy, and connection.

Come early and stay late! Jam to beats played by DJ Me Time and enjoy live art by Elicser Elliot. We also have the Black Creation Market running from 3pm to 8pm. Light refreshments will also be provided post-show.

Grab your $40 ticket before we sell out!

Black Creation Market

May 2, 8 and 9 – 3pm to 8pm @ Soulpepper Theatre, 50 Tank House Lane

Discover your next favourite find at the Black Creation Market! 

We’re bringing together an incredible lineup of local Black artisans for three days of shopping before the performance of How to Catch Creation by Christina Anderson. 

Explore the unique creations of Black Artisans across skincare, fashion, books, beauty, and more!

Vendors are:

Acudj Creative Studio, Buna Sets, Crochet Gardens, Makeji, Essentials By Temi, Mimis Bonnets, Dreams of Africa, Nadia L. Hohn Books, Bontle By B and Shyne Body Butter