Technical Director

Position Title: Technical Director
Reports to: Artistic Director
Supervises: Associate Technical Director, Audio-Video Engineer, Costume Shop Manager, and occasional
volunteers
Position Summary: The Technical Director (TD) has daily responsibility for coordinating and overseeing with colleagues the technical operations of the theatre including lighting, sound, set design and construction, costuming, and facilities maintenance. This position requires skills in multiple creative and analytical fields. The TD collaborates with technical staff and other colleagues, has staff supervisory responsibilities and reports to the Artistic Director (AD).
The 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/or extended working hours and be able to lift, push or pull objects up to 100 pounds using appropriate tools.
Qualifications & Skills: The TD must have a thorough understanding of all aspects involved in technical theater, including construction, lighting equipment, rigging, and sound. The TD must also be versed in time management and inter-personnel skills. Experience is
often more important than education, though a bachelor’s degree in technical theater is useful.
Hours: Minimum of 40 hours per week.
Hours: Generally, 9:00 am-5:30 pm daily. May work irregular and extended hours, including weekends and evenings. Two (2) days off per week will vary and not necessarily be back-to-back depending on the theater’s technical schedule.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Operate, maintain, and safeguard the technical assets of the theatre, including lighting, sound, communications equipment, and the use and maintenance of stage facilities.
• Determine, in conjunction with the AD and play production team, the necessary support and hiring required, i.e., lighting, sound, staging, and special needs necessary for events and performances presented at various venues as determined by the AD in advance of production dates.
• Advises the AD, production designers and director on the technical specifications and usage of technical equipment required for individual productions.
• Supervises and/or assists, as needed, with set and stage construction and management. Knowledge of the tools and equipment needed to safely perform these tasks is required.
• Provides safety training and an orientation walkthrough of the scene shop equipment and operation to technical staff (short term/long term) and volunteers.
• Monitors and/or maintains (if applicable) the condition of equipment of the Players Centre facilities. This includes lighting, plumbing, sound, tools, and ancillary items such as air conditioning and garage doors, and if required, arranges for the repair and/or replacement of those items within budgetary constraints; performs preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Consults with the AD on the preparation and control of production budgets. Maintains inventory and orders specialized supplies.
• Monitors Tech Week rehearsals to supervise and/or assist in the technical aspects of mounting a show. With other technical staff, monitors the sound, lighting, and set during the run of the show to make repairs or replacements (if required). Attends, plans, and supervises technical aspects of the production strike at close of the run of the show.
• Makes recommendations to the AD regarding capital purchases of technical equipment.
• Assists in setting a production schedule, specifically with regards to design deadlines, construction deadlines, loadin and load out deadlines. Must meet all deadlines to not impact the opening of a production.
• Orients facility renters and visiting productions to safety, technical characteristics, and other areas of facility operations. May be on hand during the rental period to monitor the safety and safe use of the stage and technical equipment.
• Reviews set designs and construction drawings for safety, budgetary limits, and staging constraints. Offers alternative suggestions when design elements are unsafe or impractical.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of various groups, vendors, co-workers, and others.
Production Duties
• The TD ensures all technical aspects of the production work is accomplished smoothly and safely. Assist with coordination between the artistic and technical departments. The TD coordinates with the Master Carpenter to create working construction drawings that translate a set designer’s idea into workable plans for the scenic crew.
They also coordinate schedules so the lighting, sound, set, and other crews have time to set up stage work. The TD also coordinates with the director and stage manager to ensure actor safety and fulfillment of the director’s vision. The TD is responsible for the placement and safety of any elements that are placed over the stage, i.e., rigging, soft
goods, and lighting. Coordinate with lighting and fly crews to ensure safety.

Additional Duties
• The TD position is part administrative and part hands-on. The TD is expected to work with the technical crew during set construction, lighting setup, and scenic painting, and may be called upon to design sets and/or lighting for productions.
Additional Details: Must be able to:
• Speak fluent English
• Remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Move about to access file cabinets, supplies, office machinery, tools, and equipment.
• Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder and/or stairs.
• Often operate a computer and other office, and job productivity machinery.
• Exchange accurate verbal and nonverbal communication and legible written information.
• Occasionally move/carry supplies and equipment up to 25 lbs.
• This job description is subject to change at any time