Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Timeline
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Harmony France

Harmony France

Summary

Creative 20-year career spanning artistic administration, business development, and strategic partnerships. Activist, artistic director, and teaching artist with a passion for helping others achieve their goals through creative collaboration. Creative, communications, and business management skills leading to outstanding results. Navy Veteran. Founder and artistic director of Firebrand Theatre in Chicago, IL. Recently completed Master of Arts in Women, Gender, Spirituality, and Social Justice. In 2019, named by NewCity Stage as one of the “Fifty People Who Really Perform for Chicago” and has been featured in Crain’s Business, Chicago Social, and Playbill.

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

FIREBRAND THEATRE
01.2016 - Current
  • Founder of theatre company and responsible for overseeing all aspects of artistic production of the organization, such as assessing and selecting seasons, and recruiting artistic and technical personnel.
  • Creating the organization’s program, and selecting shows that fit the company's mission of "employing and empowering women on and off the stage."
  • Directed day-to-day business operations and made strategic decisions to further organizational goals and fiscal objectives.
  • Setting and overseeing schedule production for the season.
  • Hiring staff: directors, actors, stage managers, designers, etc.
  • Managing the theatre’s budget and dealing with funding bodies (charities, government, sponsors, grants, etc.)
  • Acting as spokesperson for the organization's artistic purpose via speaking engagements, public and social appearances, and fundraising events and solicitations.
  • Firebrand has been consistently critically acclaimed, garnering thirteen Equity Joseph Jefferson nominations and three wins.
  • Firebrand has been featured numerous times in American Theatre Magazine, New York Times, and Playbill where it was named as one of twenty "must-know regional houses" in the United States.

CONTRACT WORDPRESS SPECIALIST

Underground Professional
03.2006 - 02.2017
  • Responsibilities include updating day-to-day content, making layout and design adjustments, copywriting and proofreading, managing and researching search engine optimization content, and maintaining industry-standard compatibility. Websites maintained: Specialdocs Consultants (33 active sites including www.specialdocs.com)
  • Developed and implemented onboarding and orientation programs for new employees.
  • Collected and analyzed information to monitor compliance outcomes and identify and address trends of non-compliant behavior.

TEACHING ARTIST (Freelance)

COLUMBIA COLLEGE, ATC, BAM THEATRE
03.2014 - Current
  • Create and deliver custom masterclasses, workshops, and coaching sessions for young actors to train and build their acting and musical theatre skillset.
  • Facilitated group sessions and provided one-on-one support.
  • Planned and executed activities to promote skill and talent development.
  • Helped students explore concepts with engaging, learning-focused activities.
  • Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
  • Modified lessons and curriculum to accommodate diverse learners by using strategies such as peer-assisted learning and group work.

CASTING DIRECTOR

BAILIWICK CHICAGO
01.2013 - 01.2016
  • Organized and facilitated casting of actors for all roles in three seasons, maintaining the company's mission of diverse, inclusive casting.
  • Worked closely with the director and producer to understand their requirements, and suggested ideal artists for each role, as well as arranging and conducting interviews and auditions.
  • Was responsible for negotiating fees and contracts for actors, and acted as liaison between director, actors, and their agents.
  • During tenure, Bailiwick Chicago was critically praised for its casting and won 2 Joseph Jefferson Ensemble awards.

SPECIALIST, AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

United States Navy
10.1997 - 07.2003
  • Responsibilities included monitoring network performance, conducting hardware/software upgrades, and verifying configuration arrangements for three networks.
  • Maintained a 350,000-dollar departmental budget.
  • Ordered, Received, and stocked maintenance materials for three divisions.
  • Provided customer service to 125 department personnel.
  • Assisted with staff training to enforce quality, safety, and sanitation guidelines.
  • Received the Navy Achievement Medal and Volunteer of the Year in 2001.

Education

Master of Arts - Women, Gender, Spirituality, And Social Justice

California Institute of Integral Studies
San Francisco, CA
08.2023

Bachelor of Arts - Acting

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL
03.2021

Shakespeare Summer Intensive

Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
2019

Vocal Performance

Brenau University
Gainesville, GA
1996

Skills

  • Superior Organizational Skills
  • Department Operations
  • Speech Writing
  • Web Design
  • Digital Content Development
  • Art Conceptualization
  • Financial Budgeting and Reporting
  • Advertising and Promotions
  • Project Management
  • Staff Management
  • Strong Analytical Skills
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Art Program Development

Timeline

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

FIREBRAND THEATRE
01.2016 - Current

TEACHING ARTIST (Freelance)

COLUMBIA COLLEGE, ATC, BAM THEATRE
03.2014 - Current

CASTING DIRECTOR

BAILIWICK CHICAGO
01.2013 - 01.2016

CONTRACT WORDPRESS SPECIALIST

Underground Professional
03.2006 - 02.2017

SPECIALIST, AUTOMATED INFORMATION SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR

United States Navy
10.1997 - 07.2003

Master of Arts - Women, Gender, Spirituality, And Social Justice

California Institute of Integral Studies

Bachelor of Arts - Acting

Columbia College Chicago

Shakespeare Summer Intensive

Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts

Vocal Performance

Brenau University

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Harmony France