Technical Director Job Description
Salary range of $27,000-$32,000 annually plus benefit package.
Please submit a letter of interest and resume to:  info@theplayers.org
Closing date: 5/24/13

The Technical Director has the daily responsibility for all technical operations of the theatre including lighting, sound, set design, set construction, and coordinating necessary maintenance of the theatre facility. The ideal candidate should show strong leadership skills, be able to multi-task, and has strong time management skills.

The Technical Director (TD) works with a great deal of independence and exercises independent judgment in performing a wide variety of duties. Because of the operating hours of most facilities, close supervision is not normally required nor expected. The TD must have the ability to maintain irregular and extended working hours; able to lift, push or pull objects up to 100 pounds using appropriate tools.

The TD may do any or all of the following:

• Operates, maintains and safeguards the technical assets of the theatre, including complete knowledge of and supervising the use of lighting, sound, communications equipment, and the use and maintenance of stage facilities.
• Determines the necessary over hire supports, such as lighting, sound, staging, and special needs, necessary for events and performances presented at the facility in advance of production dates and within the theatre budget.
• Designs, sets up, maintains, and operates lighting and sound systems for theatre, dance, music, and other productions and projects and assists guest designers with technical needs of the theatre and studio (including but not limited to the Holiday Review, Spring Showcase, Players Kid’s musical, Silver Stars Showcases and all other outreach and Summer Camp shows.
• Advises stage managers, lighting and sound designers, and set designers on the technical specifications, costs and usage of technical equipment required for the individual shows, and supervises the implementations of approved technical designs.
• Supervises and facilitates set and stage construction and stage management.
• Assists in recruiting, training and the assignment of volunteers and/or paid technical staff for individual shows including all backstage crews.
• Orients facility renters and visiting productions to safety, technical characteristics and other areas of facility operations; educates parties on the use of the technical facilities by the studio and others engaged by or renting the facility.
• Monitors the condition of equipment including lighting, sound, and rigging equipment; arranges for the repair and replacement within budgetary constraints; performs preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Assists with the preparation and control of production budgets; maintains inventory and orders specialized supplies.
• Attends all technical week rehearsals and production meetings in order to supervise and assist in the technical aspects of mounting a show and attends all staff meetings.
• Makes recommendations to the Artistic Director and Managing Director regarding capital purchases of technical equipment.
• Works closely with the theatre’s Scenic Artist, Production Manager and Artistic Director to create and maintain a production calendar.
• Facilitates the rental of props and set pieces to other organizations to meet budgetary requirements.
• Organize, clean, and maintain all backstage areas, prop loft at the theatre and scene shop on 10^th Street.
• Work closely with the theatre’s Artistic Director in creating budgets, as well as plans for upcoming productions, events and seasons.
• Submit a monthly production report to the Managing Director.

The TD may be called upon to deal with a wide range of technical issues, so he or she should have a working knowledge of techniques, methods and procedures of theatre, dance, and music productions and presentations including stage, set, sound and lighting design and implementation; stage management; computerized lighting systems; projection systems; stage carpentry; appropriate safety precautions and procedures.

Information about the Players Theatre  

The Players, Inc. is Sarasota’s first and oldest performing arts organization. The current facility was completed in January of 1974, and seats four hundred ninety.

Over the course of 83 seasons, The Players has achieved a reputation for quality productions and for creating programming that entertains, educates, and enlightens. The Theatre has grown to serve a diverse audience with varied and year-round offerings.   These include the Broadway Theatre Series, SNAP (Something New at Players) Series, the Summer Sizzler Series, The Players New Play Festival, concerts in all of the lively arts, and a variety of community partnerships.  Additionally, the Backstage Theatre Series produces three contemporary plays performed in an intimate, “black box” venue.

Volunteer actors work side by side with professional creative teams made up of some of the area’s best directors, music directors, choreographers, set, lighting, and costume designers.  This creates an environment that challenges and encourages everyone involved to achieve ever higher artistic standards.

The Players maintains affordable ticket prices, from $12 to $25, ensuring that the transformative power of live theatre is available to as many members of the community as possible.

The Players art gallery, located in the theatre lobby, opened in 2009, and features the work of a different artist for the run of each Broadway Series show.   

The Players Performing Arts Studio opened in 1995 as the educational arm of The Players Theatre.  It is a respected performing arts studio, and a vital training ground for performers bound for The Players stage. The Studio offers classes for students age three and older, including the study of acting, singing and dance. The Performing Arts Studio also is home to two community outreach groups, The Players Kids and The Sarasota Silver Stars, a fifty-five and over performing troupe.

The theatre’s active Board of Directors installed the dual management style of a Managing Director and Artistic Director team in 2007.   Michelle Bianchi Pingel started as a volunteer in the Players office and moved into the management director slot with local Actor, Director and Playwright Jeffery Kin assuming the Artistic Director role that same year.

With a staff of  8 Full time employees, 14 Part time employees and over 700 volunteers, the Players strives to be the most professional community theatre in the country.

Players Theatre mission statement
The Players Theatre is dedicated to presenting a diverse and entertaining slate of high quality, volunteer driven theatrical experiences that educate, stimulate and enrich the entire community.

In Summary:
Technical Director

The Players Theatre Technical Director must have the ability to analyze; plan, develop, schedule and provide the technical support  required for each event or performance; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; design and construct sets; design lighting and sound systems appropriate to each performance and oversee stage crews and volunteers; perform minor repairs and preventative maintenance on equipment; maintain inventory of necessary supplies; assist in budget preparation; establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of various groups, vendors, co-workers , and others; maintain irregular and extended working hours; able to lift, push or pull objects up to 100 pounds using appropriate tools.   Key adjectives that help describe our ideal candidate would be: upbeat, organized, punctual, communicative, disciplined, enthusiastic, creative and team oriented.  Above all, the ability to work with varying skill sets, ranging from professional union workers to community volunteers is essential.

Assistant Technical Director Job Description
Salary range of $24,000-$28,000 annually, plus benefits.
Please submit a letter of interest and resume to:  info@theplayers.org
Closing date: 8/15/13

The Assistant Technical Director (ATD) has a close working relationship with the Technical Director (TD).  It is both a supervisory and creative position requiring the administration of hired and volunteer work crews. The creative diligence and accuracy in designing and building scenery, as well as the design and input of specialized lighting and sound for productions, rentals, and special events; are all part of the ATD’s responsibilities. The ATD is second in command to the TD and supports the TD as needed. The ATD should have University/College training in technical theatre as well as substantial professional experience in the field.  The ATD works with a great deal of independence and exercises independent judgment in performing a wide variety of duties. Because of the operating hours of most facilities, close supervision is not normally required nor expected. Must have the ability to maintain irregular and extended working hours especially during show builds; able to lift, push or pull objects up to 100 pounds using appropriate tools.

In general, the ATD may do any or all of the following:

• Works closely with the TD on all technical aspects of each production including, design, specifications, procurement, load in, operation and load out of technical production systems, and equipment.
• Works closely with the Artistic Director, TD, Production Manager, show designers, and stage managers on creating and maintaining strict calendars.
• Assists the TD in creating and maintaining budgets with the management for each production.
• Helps build and maintain the scenery and technical aspects of each production.
• Assists with supervising technical/stage crews during a run of a show
• Helps create, maintain, and update all technical/stage production drawings, documents, and specifications.
• Assist the Production Manager with schedules, crew members, and supervising the running of production.
• Oversee and maintain the stage space, electrical, audio, rigging safety, and paint department.
• Attends all technical week rehearsals and production meetings in order to assist in the technical aspects of mounting a show and attends all staff meetings.
• Supervise and work with carpenters/volunteers in the construction of the set and props for each production.
• Supervise and work with Lighting Designers and crews in light hangs, focus, and board programming as well as other show specific designers.
• Maintain and clean the stage and back stage space including general maintenance and building repairs.
• Maintain and update safety supplies and equipment throughout the theatre.
• Alternate with TD the running of the productions, special events, concerts, rentals, and Players Studio performances.
• Manage and organize the prop loft and facilitates prop rentals.
• Organize, clean and maintain all backstage areas, prop loft at the theatre and scene shop on 10^th Street.

Because a ATD may be called upon to deal with a wide range of technical issues, he or she benefits from a working knowledge of techniques, methods and procedures of theatre, dance, and music productions and presentations including stage, set, sound and lighting design and implementation; stage management; computerized lighting systems; stage carpentry; appropriate safety precautions and procedures.

Audio/Video/Lighting Engineer Job Description

Salary range of $26,000-$30,000 annually, plus benefits.
Please submit a letter of interest and resume to:  info@theplayers.org
Closing date: 5/24/13

The Audio/Video/Lighting Engineer (AVLE) is an important part of the technical team of The Players Theatre. The AVLE has a close working relationship with the Artistic Director, Production Manager, Technical Director and Assistant Technical Director.  The AVLE’s primary function is to operate, maintain, and repair equipment used in productions, lectures, and meetings, including microphones (wired and wireless), video cameras, recorders, computer hardware and software, projectors, lighting, and sound mixing equipment. Knowledge of camera and lighting techniques is essential, and familiarity with editing equipment and software may be required. Must be creative and flexible with strong communication skills and have the ability to interact with coworkers and guest designers, often under deadline pressure. In addition to being proficient with computer systems used in multimedia production, position also requires word processing skills. The AVLE must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time and must have good hearing and eyesight.  Additionally, the AVLE should have University/College training in technical theatre that includes carpentry skills, as well as substantial professional experience in the field.  The AVLE works with a great deal of independence and exercises independent judgment in performing a wide variety of duties. Because of the operating hours of most facilities, close supervision is not normally required nor expected. Must have the ability to maintain irregular and extended working hours especially during show builds, technical weeks and strike; able to lift, push or pull objects up to 100 pounds using appropriate tools.

In general, the AVLE may do any or all of the following:

• Operate and maintain AV equipment used to amplify, record, and display sound and images at events. Specific equipment includes: Yamaha 48 Ch. Digital Mixing Console M7CL and an ETC ION light board
• Operate sound equipment for all productions, lectures, speeches and presentations
• Use video cameras to shoot images or serve as projectionists
• Assist the lighting designers with hangs as the master electrician
• Working knowledge of theatre lighting equipment and LEDs
• Train volunteers to operate the lighting board and spotlights
• Adjust sound, monitors, and amplifiers for each production, including musicians, orchestra members, backstage, and actors
• Coordinate graphics, projections, and sound cues used in productions.
• Edit, copy, and store audio and video recordings
• Track inventory of equipment and order supplies such as batteries, gels, and light bulbs etc.
• Transport, assemble, and maintain equipment used in multimedia production outside of the theatre

• Attends all technical week rehearsals and production meetings in order to assist in the technical aspects of mounting a show and attends all staff meetings.

• Manage and organize the lighting booth, electrical room, and sound booth.
• Assist technical team with organizing, cleaning and maintaining all backstage areas and scene shop.

Because a AVLE may be called upon to deal with a wide range of technical issues, he or she benefits from a working knowledge of techniques, methods and procedures of theatre, dance, and music productions and presentations including stage, set, sound and lighting design and implementation; stage management; computerized lighting systems; stage carpentry; appropriate safety precautions and procedures.