About Dixon Place
An artistic incubator since 1986, Dixon Place is a Bessie and Obie Award-winning non-profit institution committed to supporting the creative process by presenting original works of theater, dance, music, puppetry, circus arts, literature & visual art at all stages of development. Presenting over 1000 creators a year, this local haven inspires & encourages diverse artists of all stripes & callings to take risks, generate new ideas & consummate new practices.
The artist’s experience is given top priority through our professional atmosphere and remuneration, and their process is enhanced through the reaction of our adventurous audiences. Dixon Place is a local haven for creativity as well as an international model for the open exploration of the process of creation. If you have work that would be appropriate for Dixon Place, please read our open submissions policy.
After spawning Dixon Place as a salon in her Paris apartment in ‘85, Artistic Director Ellie Covan pioneered the organization in her NYC living room for 23 years. After organic development & expansion, DP is now a leading professional, state-of-the-art facility for artistic expression. While other venues of its kind have since died off, or now only present established artists, Dixon Place remains at the heart of the New York experimental performance scene.
Covan has received a NY Dance & Performance Award (a Bessie), two Obies, a BAXten Award & the NY Innovation Theater Foundation’s Stewardship Award for service to the community. DP has also received CUNY’s Edwin Booth Award, & the Alliance of NY State Arts Organization’s Celebrate the Arts Award for outstanding contributions to NYC.
Many artists, such as Deb Margolin, Blue Man Group, John Leguizamo, Lisa Kron, David Cale, Penny Arcade, and Reno began their careers at Dixon Place. In addition to emerging artists, Dixon Place has also been privileged to present evenings of new and experimental work by more established artists, such as: Theatre/Performance by Justin Vivian Bond, Taylor Mac, Lily Tomlin, Wallace Shawn, Craig Lucas, BD Wong, James Lecesne, John Fleck, Kate Bornstein, Ethyl Eichelberger, Holly Hughes, Karen Finley, Kate Clinton, Peggy Shaw, Mac Wellman, Big Art Group; Literary: A.M. Homes, Rick Moody, and Oscar Huelos; Dance: Mark Dendy, Jane Comfort, Sarah Michelson, Douglas Dunn and Yoshiko Chuma; Music: Vernon Reid, Rodney Crowell, Diamanda Galas, Martha Wainwright, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Suzy Roche, Maggie Roche, Rodney Crowell and They Might Be Giants.
Staff & Board
Staff
Ellie Covan, Founding Director
ellie@dixonplace.org
Benjamin Soencksen, Business & Finance Director
benjamin@dixonplace.org
Yvan Greenberg, Managing Director
Yvan@dixonplace.org
Rob Lariviere, Production Manager
rob@dixonplace.org
Daniel Santamaria, I.T. & Production Associate
daniel@dixonplace.org
Mike Griffiths, Marketing & Audience Development Associate
(Press contact: general Dixon Place, works-in-progress)
mike@dixonplace.org
Stephen Michael Rondel, Bar Manager
stephen@dixonplace.org
Board of Directors
Michael Howett, President (General Contractor)
Eric Jensen, Secretary/Treasurer (Port Authority of New York & New Jersey)
Tom Cole (True Love Productions)
Tracy Hatton (NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute)
Sangeeta Yesley (Dance Curator)
Ellie Covan (Dixon Place Founder & Director)
Internships
Dixon Place has internship positions available that provide hands-on experience working with staff members and artists in various environments.
The most important qualifications are a willingness to learn, great interpersonal skills, a somewhat flexible schedule, and the ability to make a commitment for at least 4 months.
We have several sessions a year for interning: Winter (January-April), Summer (May-August), and Fall (September-December).
Our staff provides a friendly and communicative environment that is a good place to learn new skills, and then apply them to diverse situations. Our interns carry significant responsibility, and after training will represent Dixon Place while working.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, some of these internships may be impacted.
Technical interns will work in all aspects of production: from load-in, to running shows, and load-out. After training, interns will run shows independently: operating state-of-the-art lighting and sound consoles. Interns will work directly with artists and the production staff, assisting in the technical needs of nightly performances. Hours vary from week to week, but are generally in the afternoons and evenings, totaling approximately 40 hours a week. Responsibilities include working directly with the Technical Director, communicating with artists to understand their technical needs, and running lighting, sound and video for nightly performances.
Entertainment Technology experience is suggested, but not required.
Pay: $100/week stipend
To apply, email a resume and cover letter indicating dates and hours of availability to contact@dixonplace.org with “Technical Internship (season of interest)” in the subject line.
This is a terrific opportunity for recent graduates interested in a career in the non-profit sector to gain hands-on experience managing a dynamic non-profit art space.
Key responsibilities include general office management, fielding inquiries from the public, database maintenance, archiving, communicating with artists, assisting with press, programs, marketing, and distribution of promotional materials.
This position interacts with artists and the public regularly. Strong communication skills and attention to detail are required. Knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, and Google Suite required.
We are looking for self-starters and creative thinkers with a willingness to learn. Our interns carry significant responsibility and after training will represent Dixon Place while working.
Hours are 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, totaling 40 hours a week. Minimum 4-month commitment.
Pay: $100/week stipend paid out bi-weekly.
To apply, email a resume and cover letter indicating dates and hours of availability to contact@dixonplace.org, with “Administrative Internship (season of interest)” in the subject line.
Working with the Artistic Director, Director of Programming and the Marketing & Community Outreach Associate, the Artistic & Archives Intern will assist with reviewing artist submissions, recording performances for our archives, reviewing and editing performance video for various archival and marketing projects, organizing archival records, and other creative tasks.
Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in theater and performance and basic video editing skills. Archival (or database management) experiences or relevant skills preferred.
The schedule is variable, split between day and evening hours, averaging 20-25 hours a week.
Pay: $50/week stipend.
To apply, email a resume and cover letter indicating dates and hours of availability to programming@dixonplace.org
Working with Dixon Place staff and artists, the graphic design intern will have a highly flexible schedule, and may be able to work offsite at least 50% of the time. The graphic design intern will work with DP staff in consultations with artists, updating elements within current design templates, and creating new designs.
10-20 hours a week.
Pay: There is no stipend for this internship.
To apply, email a resume and cover letter indicating dates and hours of availability to marketing@dixonplace.org, with “Design Internship (season of interest)” in the subject line.
The marketing intern will work closely with a recently expanded marketing team to implement promotional campaigns, manage press lists and show listings, and develop engaging content (including video creation) for social media.
The intern will get actively involved in working with our artists (1000+ each year), our shows (15 a week), and the entire theater on all levels of promotion, publicity, and events. This internship is very flexible for growth and creativity as the intern becomes increasingly independent in a fun, creative work environment. This is an extremely valuable position that will teach you skills that you can take to many other future positions.
Specific duties will include working with the marketing team to creatively strategize promotional efforts for our commissions and work-in-progress shows; content curation and community management of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube); proofreading promotional materials; assisting implementation of community partnerships; planning content and facilitating special events; and strengthening press outreach (listings, contacts, and archival materials).
Necessary skills & characteristics include:
Proficiency with Office & Google Drive
Strong knowledge, passion & understanding of the social media landscape
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Ability to manage a variety of assignments with shifting priorities and maintain careful attention to detail
Excellent communication skills
Occasional evening & weekend availability
Familiarity with downtown contemporary performance scene & Dixon Place’s mission (preferred)
Knowledgeable about press relationships
Pay: $100 stipend/week paid out bi-weekly.