SUPPORT
WE'RE A REGISTERED NONPROFIT
Paracosm Dance is a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning you can help us further our world building and community outreach with a tax-deductible donation.
With your help, we can ensure everyone has access to movement instruction and live performance, and that our collaborating artists and mentors are fully compensated.
Our productions come to life via ticket sales, donations, and participation in our educational programming. YOU are the lifeblood of this company – we cannot do this without community!
Donations keep our shows on the stage, our workshops cheap (and often free!), and our research into new technologies thriving.
YOUR DONATIONS MAKE THIS POSSIBLE!
And the funds have already gone to work. In the last years, we've been able to:
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Award the ARTIST|EXPAND grant of $1k to emerging multimedia artists in tech
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Produce VISITORS at the Orpheum Theatre while providing over $4k in ticket value back to the PHX community (of all attendees, 52% came at a discounted rate or free of charge)
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Provide physical therapy through Radius Performance Center and our in-house licensed medical massage therapist to all Paracosm artists, designers, and technicians
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Partner with Friends of the Orpheum Theatre to debut VISITORS | CINEMATIC SCREENING at the Orpheum Theatre for only $9.99
Paracosm Dance is the proud recipient of a 2026 Creative Capacity Grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona
BOARD OF DIRECTORS...
ALYSSA JOHNSON | Founder & President
DANIELLE COHEN | Vice President
DUSTYN SHEHANE | Secretary
JOIN OUR
...WE'RE GROWING
HELP US BUILD WHAT'S NEXT
Paracosm has, in the last two years, undergone a period of rapid artistic and organizational growth: from independently produced dance films and small-scale projects to large theatrical productions with significant budgets, professional creative teams, major venue partnerships, and an expanding community of artists and audiences.
Now, we're looking for experienced leaders who can ensure the organization supporting this work grows alongside it.
We are a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization creating multimedia dance theatre at the intersections of movement, cinema, horror, and immersive world-building (and we hope you're obsessed with that as we are).
THAT'S WHERE YOU COME IN!
As Paracosm enters its next stage of growth, we're expanding the group of people helping guide its long-term future. We need your help!
What does our Board do?
The Board of Directors is our governing body.
Our Board members help ensure that the organization behind the work is responsible, sustainable, strategic, and prepared for the future.
They provide organizational oversight, participate in major decisions, review Paracosm's financial health (woop!), contribute their individual expertise and perspective, and help expand the relationships and resources that make our programming possible.
Our artists make the madness. Our Board ensures we can keep making said madness.
Who are we looking for?
For this stage of Paracosm's growth, we are seeking experienced professionals and community leaders who can bring established expertise in one or more of the following areas:
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Nonprofit governance and leadership (particularly individuals with prior nonprofit board, executive, or senior leadership experience)
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Fundraising and development (major gifts, individual giving, institutional philanthropy, sponsorship, donor cultivation, or capital development)
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Finance and accounting (nonprofit finance, budgeting, financial controls, audit/accounting, financial planning, or treasury experience)
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Legal and governance (nonprofit law, contracts, employment, risk management, corporate governance, or related practice)
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Business and organizational strategy (scaling organizations, strategic planning, operations, entrepreneurship, or organizational development)
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Phoenix civic and philanthropic leadership (individuals with meaningful relationships across the Valley's business, nonprofit, philanthropic, cultural, or civic communities)
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Arts and cultural leadership (particularly experience leading, governing, funding, presenting, or developing performing arts and cultural organizations)
Candidates do not need experience in dance!
We are especially interested in people who have helped organizations navigate growth before, and who are excited by the opportunity to help build the institutional structure necessary to support ambitious artistic work.
Prior nonprofit board service is strongly preferred for this recruitment cycle, although significant relevant executive, professional, philanthropic, or organizational leadership experience may provide an equivalent foundation.
What your service entails:
Commitment:
Directors serve one-year terms and may be reelected for additional terms.
Directors should expect approximately 4-6 Board meetings throughout the year, with additional meetings scheduled when necessary for responsible governance and organizational planning. Meetings may be held electronically (or we can drink tea in person)!
Board service is voluntary and unpaid. Directors may be reimbursed for approved expenses incurred in carrying out their Board responsibilities.
We are not currently establishing a mandatory personal financial contribution for Board members. We do, however, expect every director to participate meaningfully in strengthening Paracosm's resources and long-term sustainability (dream big with us)! That contribution may look different depending on each director's experience, circumstances, skills, and network.
Active participation in the governance and future of the organization!
Board members are expected to:
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Contribute their individual expertise, perspective, professional knowledge, and community experience
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Prepare for and actively participate in Board meetings
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Act in good faith and in the best interests of Paracosm Dance
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Become familiar with Paracosm's mission, programs, finances, bylaws, policies, and organizational goals
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Participate thoughtfully in major governance, financial, and strategic decisions
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Review financial information and help ensure responsible stewardship of the organization's resources
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Support Paracosm's long-term financial sustainability through fundraising, donor cultivation, introductions, sponsorship development, advocacy, or other resource-building efforts appropriate to their abilities and networks
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Serve as an ambassador for Paracosm and help build meaningful relationships between the organization and the broader community
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Maintain appropriate confidentiality and disclose potential conflicts of interest
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Make a reasonable effort to engage with Paracosm's work, including attending performances and organizational events when possible (we hope this one is easy!)
INTERESTED? LET'S TALK!
Board service is a significant relationship on both sides, so our recruitment process begins with a conversation rather than a formal job application.
If your experience aligns with this stage of Paracosm's growth, we invite you to submit a short interest form introducing yourself, your background, and what interests you about the organization.
Selected prospective members will be invited to an initial conversation with Paracosm leadership. Candidates who appear to be a strong mutual fit may then continue through Paracosm's Board nomination and election process.
Submitting an interest form does not commit you to board service!
We'll begin conversations with prospective board members in mid-October, following the opening of MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH.