LUCKY PLUSH SEEKS BOARD MEMBERS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Chicago-based, internationally celebrated dance-theater company, Lucky Plush Productions, seeks to grow its Board of Directors. Serving on the Lucky Plush Board is an extraordinary opportunity for strategic and future focused leaders who are passionate about Lucky Plush’s mission and vision.

We invite you to join our smart, hard-working, fun and friendly Board who are all passionate about the arts. The primary role of the Board is to provide mission-based visionary leadership and strategic governance. Growing a strong, engaged board is a critical part of Lucky Plush’s next chapter.

“A BRAND OF MOVEMENT-BASED THEATER THAT CAN BE COMFORTABLY CALLED, WITHOUT EXAGGERATION, GENIUS.” –NEW CITY

MISSION & HISTORY

Lucky Plush was founded in 1999 by Julia Rhoads , Chicagoland native turned member of the San Francisco Ballet who went on to major in history at Northwestern University. Lucky Plush creations provoke an immediacy of presence – a palpable live-ness – shared by performers in real-time with audiences. A unique hybrid of high-level dance and theater, Lucky Plush’s work is recognized for its layered choreography, moving content, surprising humor, and socially relevant storytelling. The company takes on complex ideas and themes while remaining intimate and, most importantly, accessible. 

Lucky Plush has created 30 original dance-theater works including 14 evening-length productions. In addition to regularly performing in Chicago, the company has presented work in over 50 US cities from 

Maine to Hawaii, and its international partners span from New Zealand to Cuba.

In 2016, Chicago’s Harris Theater for Music and Dance solicited its first local commission from Lucky Plush. Lucky Plush is the first and only dance company to receive the prestigious MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. Rhoads has received fellowships and awards from the Herb Alpert Foundation, Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography, Chicago Dancemakers Forum, Cliff Dwellers Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, and the Jacob K. Javits Foundation. She also received a 2014 Fractured Atlas Arts Entrepreneurship Award for initiating Creative Partners, a nonprofit shared staff model.

“INDEFINABLE MOMENTS OF BEAUTY, WIT, AND FIRE” WITH “THE MANIC, CAREENING ENERGY OF A SCREWBALL COMEDY.” –CHICAGO TRIBUNE

QUICK STATS

• 2018 Fiscal Year Budget: $400K (60% foundation, state & federal grants)

• Reserve: $215K

• Employees: 2 full-time, 10 part-time, 15 independent contractors

• Annual Audience Reach: 7,000

BOARD MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

Members champion Lucky Plush’s work, act as the company’s ambassadors, and introduce Lucky Plush to new audiences.

• Board members support Lucky Plush’s efforts to meet all financial and audience-related goals.
• Attend quarterly board meetings: three in-person and one conference call
• Attend one annual fundraising gala
• Attend all local performances (two runs each year)
• Consider Lucky Plush Productions a philanthropic priority and make an annual gift of $1,000 (give or get, including in-kind) or more to reflect that priority

• Provide financial oversight (i.e., review quarterly financial reports)
• Utilize your skills and talents to support the company in areas including artistic support, governance, finance, fundraising, marketing, networking, advocacy, and planning and serve on committees to enhance the organization’s efforts
• Review monthly email updates from the Managing Director and Development staff, and carry out action items
• Complete action items within deadlines
• Assist in identifying and recruiting new board members, while upholding commitment to diversity
• Be informed, participatory, act in good faith, and meet all legal and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Three year term