Marketing & Events Apprentice Spring 2025

Marketing & Events Apprentice
League of Chicago Theatres
17 N. Wabash, Suite #520
Chicago, IL 60602 

Stipend: $10,000 total, $625 per week (to be paid twice monthly on the 15th and end of the month)
Part Time: 25 hours per week  
Time Frame: January 28-May 23 2025 (Off one week for spring break) 
Work Model: This team member will join the LOCT team in office, work remotely, and at off-site events. This position does require attendance at events outside of standard work hours.

Direct Report: Marketing Director and Programming Director 

About the Organization: League of Chicago Theatres (LOCT) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to support, promote and advocate for Chicago’s theatre industry. Through our work, we ensure that theatre continues to thrive in our city. We represent an alliance of over 200 theatres throughout Chicago providing professional development, fundraising, regranting, artistic programming, advocacy, audience engagement and ticketing services. 

Our membership encompasses a diverse list of companies including not-for-profit and commercial operations, suburban and city-based, all-volunteer storefront operations and large regional theatres. This diverse and supportive ecosystem is a strength of our community and encourages us as a service organization to offer a wide variety of programming to meet the varied needs of our member theatres. 

About the Opportunity: The Marketing and Events Apprentice supports the marketing and programming team with planning, executing, and tracking LOCT programs. The League of Chicago Theatres is excited to announce the launch of our new Programming and Marketing Apprenticeship. This newly designed program will ensure learning opportunities and projects in leadership and management between the League of Chicago Theatres Programming and Marketing departments.  

Each year the League will select two Apprentices, one in the fall and one in the spring. Both Apprentices will be exposed to the League’s inner workings by immersing themselves in ongoing Programming and Marketing initiatives and leading a project within the League’s Programming or Marketing departments.  

In addition to these learning and leadership opportunities, the Apprentice will also have one on one check-ins with the Directors of the League of Chicago Theatres and will participate as a League ambassador at League events. This apprentice will work closely with the Directors of Marketing and Programming to develop a thorough understanding of marketing and programming strategies and systems. As a part of the League of Chicago Theatres mission, this Apprenticeship is designed to strengthen skills in arts administration, advocacy and resource development.  

This Apprenticeship is intended for someone pursuing a career in arts management within or adjacent to Marketing and Programming. The ideal candidate is interested in arts advocacy, administration and has a general understanding of the Chicago theatre ecosystem. 

 

 Learning Objectives:  

Data Analysis  

• Understand how to gather and interpret marketing data (e.g., website analytics, social media metrics).  
•  Learn to use tools like Google Analytics or social media insights to track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs).  
• Learn how to gather and interpret demographic data for development purposes.  

Writing  

• Develop skills in crafting compelling marketing copy for different platforms (e.g., social media posts, blog articles, email newsletters).  
• Practice writing clear and engaging content that aligns with brand voice and marketing goals. 
• Develop skills for brevity and accuracy in describing and promoting programming.  
• Strengthen communication skills for a service organization setting. 

Social Media, Email Newsletter, and Content Creation  

• Gain proficiency in managing and scheduling social media posts across various platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).  
• Learn to create visual content (graphics, videos) using tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite. 
• Understand the basics of creating and executing social media campaigns.  
• Learn to update and maintain website content using content management systems (CMS) like WordPress or Drupal.  
• Understand Email Platforms like Constant Contact and how to build and send email campaigns. 

Customer/Member Interaction  

• Develop effective communication skills for engaging with customers through various channels (e.g., email, social media comments).  
• Learn how to handle customer inquiries, feedback, and complaints professionally and efficiently.  
• Gain insights into customer behavior and preferences through direct interaction and feedback analysis.  

Leadership 

• Develop skills for leading collaborative projects across departments.  
• Develop skills for communicating objectives and expectations across departments.  
• Learn how to develop and maintain a budget and financial records. 

Programming 

• Develop skills to identify membership needs in resources, professional development, and advocacy. 
• Strengthen skills for analysis in identifying needs an opportunity for membership. 

Projects:  

Data Analysis  

• Weekly Discussion with Digital Media Manager on social performance and trends  
• Compile data from members including contact information, upcoming show information.  

 Writing  

• Drafting social media copy/captions  
• Blog posts on leagueofchicagotheatres.org  

Social Media, Email Newsletter, and Content Creation  

• Capturing Content at Events  
• Pitching social media content ideas  
• Drafting social posts   
• Assist with creation of weekly Hot Tix emails and bi-weekly ChicagoPlays Extra Emails  
• Make minor website page updates and create LOCT Event Pages to go with upcoming programs.  

Customer/Member Interaction  

• Communicate with members about show submissions, upcoming events, production photo submissions, and Broadcast submissions.  
• Network at League Events and Festivals  
• Answer inquiries from members regarding show submissions and league events.  

Programming  

• Lead projects with other external collaborators.  
• Develop and implement systems for workflow, communications, and evaluation in programs.  
• Be an advocate for Chicago Theatre by creating speeches, scripts, and talking points for League programs, events, and media opportunities.  

External Collaborations  

• League Annual Meeting
• Chicago Theatre Week Kick-off
• Theatre Industry Career Fair

Mentorship: 

• Weekly One on One Check ins with Marketing Director and Programming Director  
• Bi-weekly One on One Networking session with outside departments   
• One on One check-in with Executive Director of LOCT  
• Will be responsible for leading one marketing project and one programming project  

Some of the role’s specific and essential tasks may include: 

Marketing  

• Social and Digital Data Analysis 
• Drafting multiple types of content including: 
  • Website and social media copy 
  • Marketing materials, including client alerts and newsletters 
  • Internal communications 
• Occasional delivery of marketing materials  
• Capture and edit video content for the League’s social media pages and websites 
• Websites 
  • ChicagoPlays.com: Manage the look and layout, problem solve issues with WordPress/Venture, make improvements, and ensure the site is relevant and valuable to current and potential theatregoers.  
  • LeagueofChicagoTheatres.org: Work alongside the Director of Programs and Membership Manager to ensure the site content is best supporting theatre industry professionals and creators  
  • HotTix.org: Work alongside the Hot Tix Manager to ensure content is accurate and make improvements to increase sales.  
• Social Media  
  • Create and manage theatre-related content for Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and LinkedIn utilizing both posts and stories. Share content that is inclusive, professional, and on brand. 
  • Engage with other users on the platform and respond to questions/comments in a timely manner. 

Programming  

• Plan programs and events leading deadlines, milestones and processes  
• Develop, track and manage budgets and operations for department activities  
• Assist in the selection, scheduling and production of performances, cultural collaborations and partnerships with other arts and community organizations 
• Assist in the selection, scheduling, and contracting of facilitators, consultants, trainers, artists etc. for special events 
• Create and implement data gathering systems for events
• Assist the Development team with outreach and grant research 

 

Experience & Knowledge 

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work or educational experience in nonprofit management, event planning, marketing, social media, or similar professional work experience. 

 

Skills 

Candidates should have demonstrated ability of: 

• Passion for building the future of Chicago Theatre. 
•  Understanding of the history, culture and current landscape of Chicago Theatre. 
• Demonstrated communication skills, both oral and written. 
• Excellent organizational and project management skills; attention to detail. 
• Commitment to social justice and racial equity. 
• Effectively track data in excel or other online platform 
• Is technologically savvy including back-end website proficiency and social media skills 

 

Applicants must include: 

• Resume (required) 
• Cover Letter (required) 
• Two references (required) 

Pay Frequency: Apprentice will be paid twice monthly on the 15th and end of the month 

Benefits Eligible: No 

Requires Compliance with LOCT Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement 

LOCT is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 312-554-9804 or submit a request via business@chicagoplays.com. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check. 

LOCT is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workforce.