Theater Reporter, Arts & Culture

WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.

Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report.

The Opportunity

Chicago Public Media is launching an arts and culture news hub to cover and serve the Chicago region's vibrant arts scene. The Arts and Culture desk will provide compelling coverage across all Chicago Public Media brands, combining the unique strengths of WBEZ, Sun-Times, and Vocalo. While bringing a digital-first approach to reporting, the desk will cross platforms, integrating digital, audio, and print news, community engagement, podcasts, and newsletters to reach a large and diverse audience.

We're looking for an experienced and experimentative reporter to cover the Chicago region's vast theater scene and community. From world-class productions in the Theater District to intimate shows in independent theaters scattered across Chicago's diverse neighborhoods, we're searching for a journalist who can write about this specialty topic with authority, perspective, voice and most importantly, inclusiveness.

This is a fun, human-centered beat, and we're looking for someone who can showcase that in daily coverage about hidden gems, extraordinary people, cultural trends and fun and unique happenings that appeal to new and longtime residents and global visitors alike.

The ideal candidate will be a skilled reporter who can be responsive to breaking news but also a creative storyteller who can weave compelling enterprise, distinct features and insightful criticism.

Qualifications

Competency in Chicago's theater community and general arts/culture scene
Strong presence on social media platforms and ability to source social for listening, reporting and engagement
Ability to develop deep sources and community connections
Excellent reporting and writing skills with experience writing specifically about performing arts
Ability to write on deadline with accuracy and authority
Collaborate within the arts team and across two newsrooms

Responsibilities

Pitch, report, produce and/or write arts & culture stories at a daily pace on a wide range of topics with skill, accuracy, and insight.
Contribute to social media and/or on air projects as needed on Sun-Times, WBEZ and Vocalo
Maintain an active social media presence to grow an audience for one's reporting.
Collaborate with other arts and news reporters, producers and editors on editorial web initiatives
Experiment with storytelling in audio and digital platforms