Literary Manager

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)
Department: Artistic
Employment type: Volunteer/Internship
Start date: Immediately upon hire

About the role

The Literary Manager is a central member of Shall See Theater’s artistic team, responsible for the evaluation, development, and curation of new works and the selections and rewrites of published works. This position supports the company’s mission to bring East Asian narratives and aesthetics to a global audience by identifying exceptional new voices, supporting commissioned playwrights, and guiding scripts from submission to stage.

Responsibilities

• Manage open and invited script submissions; supervise and coordinate the work of script readers.
• Create and maintain detailed tracking systems and feedback archives.
• Prepare concise, timely, and insightful coverage summaries for artistic and executive review.
• Collaborate with the Artistic Director on season planning.
• Recommend works for readings, workshops, commissions, and full productions.
• Research and network to solicit work from emerging and established playwrights aligned with the company’s mission.
• Act as a point of contact for commissioned writers; provide dramaturgical support throughout the development process and/or assign dramaturgs to each project.
• Schedule and moderate developmental readings, feedback sessions, and script meetings.
• Maintain author contact lists, relationships with agents, and literary networks.
• Manage commissioning contracts and budgets in coordination with General Management.
• Coordinate dramaturgical resources with Education and Community Engagement teams to enrich contextual programming.
• Write copy for playbill materials, Upstage-Guide style content, and audience-facing narratives.
• Maintain literary databases, folders, and production documentation.
• Track developmental milestones and report on metrics (readings, participants, commissions) to the Artistic and Managing Director.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Development to support artistic communication and fundraising efforts.

Requirements

• Native in Mandarin Chinese and fluent in English.
• BA or higher in English Literature, Chinese Literature, Theater Studies, Dramaturgy, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in literary management, dramaturgy, or related field in both Chinese and English (including educational experience).
• Strong understanding of new play development and commissioning processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Chinese and English.
• Commitment to cultural equity, with a specific interest in East Asian narratives and underrepresented voices.
• Familiarity with the New York theater landscape and contemporary playwrights.
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, deadline-driven, and collaborative.