Curriculum Vitae

Ron Schuster

Overview

•      Highly effective as a leader and facilitator working in conjunction with a Board of Directors in implementing the mission, objectives and goals of a non-profit Society

•      Numerous accolades for my achievements instigating Community Development projects and programs as well as my skills in networking and developing strategic partnerships

•      Strong organization, financial management and people skills (including community relations, staff supervision as well as developing positive co-worker and volunteer relations)

•      Successful experience as a consultant supporting clients for a new and innovative grant program

•      Strong communication (e.g. group presentations, one-on-one clients and teaching) and writing skills (e.g. proposal writing, business plans as well as a produced playwright and screenwriter)

•      Experienced program manager, arts administrator and post-secondary instructor

•      Theatre Artist and Filmmaker with a specialty in writing, directing, choreography and performance

Experience:

2010 - 2017, College President

The Canadian College of Performing Arts

•      CEO of a National Private Post Secondary Professional Training Institution for Performing Artists

•      Developed and Managed College with staff of 10 and Faculty of 28

•      Developed a new business plan, strategic plan and achieved all of the goals

•      Increased budget from $1 million to $2 million in 7 years

In this position, I was responsible for:

1.     Strategic Planning

2.     Financial Planning and management

3.     Human Resource management

4.     Student enrollment/College Administration

5.     Marketing and Development

6.     Facility development and operations

7.     Academic Licensing and linkages

2003 – 2007, Executive Director

Culture Link

•      Incorporated a new society, registered it as a charity, developed organizational structure, developed operating and financial policies and completed a 3 year strategic plan to implement the “Red Deer Community Cultural Master Plan”  To achieve the plan, I led a team of community members to realize the numerous Community Development projects and the vision of the Society.

•      Purchased a building of historical significance and developed it into a new artspace (The Scott Block) for the Society

•      Project Management for 10 simultaneous projects from the “Cultural Capitals of Canada Award - 2003” (Budget of over $1 million) after being a member of the team that garnered that award.

•      Developed a new community grant program including criteria, forms and marketing the program.

•      Recruited, orientated, and facilitated the community jury that adjudicated the grant applications.

•      Developed a successful bid & served as Culture Director for 2006 Alberta Summer Games in Red Deer which were applauded for their organization and creativity

1985 – Present, Arts Administrator & Arts Consultant:

Highlights of Contract Work Experience for major clients include:

National Screen Institute of Canada

•      Logistics Coordinator - Organized all logistics and contracts for filmmaker workshops, Film Festivals (Edmonton & Winnipeg) and training programs across Canada

•      Programmer for Film Industry seminars for “Local Heroes International Screen Festival” in Edmonton (now called Edmonton International Film Festival)

•      Travel & Accommodation for “Local Heroes International Screen Festival” in Edmonton

Kompany!, Dance & Musical Theatre

•      Produced, Co-Directed and Tour Managed several National & International tours (Japan, Europe, U.S.A., Australia)

•      Co-Founder and General Manager that was responsible for operation and administration of this charitable non-profit society

•      Produced a major Provincial Arts Festival (DancExtravaganza 1981-89)

•      Facility Manager of a multi-use Facility (That Place upstairs) with programming ranging from workshops, classes to Dance and Theatre Performances.

•      Artistic Director, Choreographer and Performer for this professional song and dance troupe. I earned over eleven Sterling Award nominations (for excellence in the Edmonton Theatre scene) including Outstanding Musical Production.  I employed hundreds of professional artists and created numerous original works and musical revues.

•      Developed a Professional Drop-in Training Program with classes in a variety of the Performing Arts areas

Keyano Theatre

•      Film Series Programmer and Administrator

•      Publicity and promotions

•      Artist's contract negotiations for a Theatre Arts Series (Presenting)

For Other Clients

•      Producer, Writer, Director and Stage Manager for an award winning Industrial Show for Ed Tel (now Telus)

•      Tour and Stage Management for a Children's Variety Show (tour of Western Canada) for Great West Productions

•      Stage Manager of several dance and theatre productions

1977 – Present, Professional Performing Artist

•      Choreographer, Director and Actor in numerous Theatre productions for Citadel Theatre, Stage Polaris Theatre, Kompany!, Keyano Theatre, Red Deer College and Banff Centre for the Arts

•      Produced, tour managed, co-directed and performed in numerous Canadian and International tours including Expo 88 in Brisbane, Australia and tours to Japan, USA and Europe.

•      Brat Pack – vocal group

1990 – 2010, Instructor (Freelance)

•      Developed original curriculum and taught filmmaking and the business of Film in the Motion Picture Arts Program at Red Deer College (RDC)

•      Instructed and mentored teen groups for: TVI (Teen Video Intensive) a Summer Program for teenagers at Red Deer College

•      Instructor of Dance for University of Alberta, Red Deer College (RDC), Keyano College, Stage Polaris Theatre, Kompany! and numerous community groups

•      Instructor of Acting and Movement for the Actor for Red Deer College and Keyano College

•      Instructor of Play Analysis, Theatre Career Paths and Acting for the Camera for RDC

•      Instructor for Artstrek, a teen theatre summer camp

1985 – 2010, Film & Media Artist (Freelance)

•      Director/Writer of “They’re Here…” - a short film (comedy)

•      Director/Writer of “Crunch” - a short Educational Video (Ohio Film Festival award winner)

•      First Assistant Director on an Independent Feature Film, Short Films, Industrial Videos and a TV Pilot for clients such as Tohaventa Holdings, Blue Sky Communications, Apple Box Productions, RAH Productions, ITV and CFRN-TV.

•      Assistant Director for 2 seasons of “Mentor’s” – a children’s TV series (AMPIA award winner)

•      Assistant to the Director on a TV episode of “Mentor’s”

•      Choreographer, Consultant and Performer on several Local and National Commercials, TV Specials and Rock Videos

1976 - 1982, Professional Engineer:

•      Dearborn Chemical Co. Ltd (1978 - 1982)

•      Kaps Manufacturing Ltd. (1976 - 1978)

Additional Skills:

• Advanced Computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Social Media)

• Film Editing (Experience with Final Cut Pro and Avid)

• Bookkeeping and Accounting (Simply Accounting)

Education:

Degree: B. Sc. (Mechanical Engineering) University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

University Activities: President of Engineering Student Association., Orchesis Dance Club.

•      Red Der College – E commerce

•      Grant McEwan Community College: Screenwriting (Josh Miler & Gregory Kennedy)

•      National Screen Institute: Writer’s Studio, Producer’s Studio, Director’s Intensive

•      University of Alberta: Marketing, Report writing, Acting and Theatre Studies

•      Seminars and Workshops in Arts Administration; Volunteer Management, P.R. and Promotions, Fundraising, Lighting Design, Directing, Acting, Dance, Mime, Singing.

Volunteer positions (Positions held and accomplishments):

1.     Alberta Summer Games Board of Directors (2006) - Culture Director

2.     2006 Alberta Summer Games Bid Committee - Culture Director

3.     Red Deer Cultural Advisory Committee - Committee member

4.     Edmonton Professional Arts Council - Board member

5.     Arts Administrative Resource Center (AARC) - Board member: Involved from inception. AARC was a networking and service organization for Arts groups and individual artists

6.     Dance in Canada Association - Board Member:  Represented Alberta's interests on the National Level

7.     Alberta Dance Alliance – 2 Positions; President, Board of Directors, Chairperson, Northern District: Developed a five year planning document, revised organizational structure, set up office policies and procedures for accounting and budgeting, represented dance within provincial service organizations meetings and liaised with major funding body (Alberta Culture now the Alberta Foundation for the Arts).

8.     University of Alberta: Department of Recreation Administration – Member of the Advisory Committee

Memberships:

1.     Directors Guild of Canada (DGC)

2.     The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)

Awards & Recognition:

•      2004 Mayor’s Recognition Award – Fine and Performing Arts City of Red Deer

•      International Chris Award (Ohio, USA) – Educational Category for 1st film as a filmmaker (writer, director, producer) entitled: “Crunch”

•      Numerous Sterling Nominations (Edmonton Theatre Awards)

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST