Technical Director, Theatre (SAL 9)

Technical Director, Theatre (SAL 9)

Summary:
The Technical Director is a key leadership position within Theatre Department and reports directly to the Chair of Theatre.  The Director provides strategic leadership, vision and monitoring to the department while operating, maintaining, and safeguarding the technical assets of the theatre. This includes supervising the use of lighting, sound, scene shop, and projection equipment, and the use and maintenance of stage facilities. The Technical Director serves as the point of contact for reservations of the theatre space and works with faculty and staff within the theatre for needs related to production and operation.

Minimum Qualifications Required:
Education required to ensure success in this position:
·    Master’s Degree, required.

Experience required to ensure success in this position:
·    3-5 years relevant experience
·    3-5 years’ experience in supervision and personnel management, required.

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:
·    Lighting and sound design.
·    Projection knowledge and skill is desirable
·    Use and maintenance of scenic studio equipment
·    Ability to work with and supervise students
·    Budget keeping
·    Collaboration with production and academic team
·    Computer literacy is a must: MS Word, Excel, internet proficiency.
·    Proficient in CAD and current trends in scenic technology
·    Must have thorough understanding of all aspects involved in technical theatre, including construction, lighting equipment, rigging, sound, and projection.
·    People and time management skills are a must, as is a focus on safety.
·    Excellent oral/written communication and superior interpersonal skills with the ability to work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting
·    Strong organizational skills and capacity to set priorities. Attention to detail.

License, certification, or registration necessary:
·    Valid driver’s license
·    Required background checks    

Physical requirements:  
·    Jelkyl Drama Center is not fitted with an elevator so movement from lower level, where the Costume Studio is located, and the remainder of the facility can only be achieved by stairs.  No accessible access to the lighting and sound areas.
·    Reasonable accommodations could be made for hearing impairment.
·    Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds
·    Ability to travel by car and/or plane
·    Ability to occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.

Environmental conditions:
·    Indoor studio, some work in the design studio in Draper may be expected. Jekyl and Draper are 100% smoke free.
·    Professional office environment with interruptions and noise due to frequent visitors, students, staff and faculty
·    Occasional travel may be required for meetings, conferences, etc.

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:
·    Table saw
·    Compound miter saw
·    Drill press
·    Variety of hand and power tools
·    Safety equipment
·    Air tools and compressors
·    Welding and soldering
·    Rigging hardware
·    Lighting tools and equipment: ETC, Strand, and LED fixtures
·    Stage rigging
·    Extension life operation
·    Camera and Greenscreen experience desirable.
·    Standard office equipment: computer, fax, phone, etc.
·    Vehicle – college vans/cars

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Daily Operations:
·    Operates, maintains, and safeguards the technical assets of the theatre, including supervising the use of lighting, sound, scene shop, and projection equipment, and the use and maintenance of stage facilities.
·    Monitors the condition of equipment including lighting, sound, and tools; arranges for the repair and replacement within budgetary constraints; performs preventive maintenance on equipment.
·    Rigging – the placement and safety of any elements that are placed over the stage – in coordination with lighting and fly crews.
·    Scheduling all events in the theatre, as well as outside groups that rent the space and serve as the point of contact for renters and outside productions.

Labor
·    Assist in recruiting, training, and assignment of student staff for individual shows, including orienting them on safety, technical characteristics, other areas of facility operations, and oversight of student practicum hours.
·    In charge of managing all persons assigned to the scenery, lighting, and sound crews as well as crew assignments (may also be production duties).
·    Scheduling and overseeing all crews for the strike call, as well as responsible for the safe and efficient dismantling and storing of all scenery, lighting, and sound for the production.  (May also be production)

Production
·    Determines the necessary technical supports, such as lighting, sound, staging, and special needs, for events and performances presented at the facility in advance of production dates.
·    Create working construction drawing that translates a set designer’s idea into workable plans for the scenic crew and assist to fulfill director’s vision. Oversee construction of scenery and props alongside master carpenter, electrician and sound technicians for all shows. (also labor)
·    Supervise and assist with set and stage construction and management, the maintenance of all the scenery, lighting, and sound for rehearsals and performances.
·    Advise production team on cost and equipment capabilities, order all materials necessary for the scenery, lighting, sound, props, and projections for the shows. Provide cost estimates and negotiate with vendors to secure the best deals.
·    Coordinates schedules so the lighting, set, sound, and other crews have the time they need to set up their work onstage. Setting build schedule and deadlines for the scenic, lighting, and sound shops.
·    Scheduling and leading meetings and regular check-ins with different departments, communicate with stage managers about ongoing rehearsal needs and changes to the scenic needs.
·    Be prepared with all scenic elements and the scenery run crew for the first and subsequent technical and dress rehearsals at scheduled start time. Scenery should be spiked and ready to move. Ensure crew is trained on the safe operation of their equipment/scenic piece(s).
·    Oversee and assist throughout tech week and the load-in/load-out process. Attend all technical and dress rehearsals and be available to work with the crew and/or actors regarding their interaction with the scenery.
·    Attend post tech and dress-rehearsal production meeting and to receive notes from the director and designers. Develop a priority list for the completion of the scenery.
·    Oversee student stage managers and assistant stage managers, ensure actor safety with director and stage manager.  

Administrative
·    Advise department chair, production designers, and director of the technical specifications and uses of technical equipment required for the individual productions.
·    Consults with the department chair on the preparation and control of production budgets; maintains inventory and orders specialized supplies.
·    Makes recommendations to department chair regarding capital purchases of technical equipment.

Teaching
·    Teach technical theatre courses as part of the major/minor.
·    In support of Berea College’s great commitments this position requires student supervision.  The fourth great commitment is to promote learning and serving in community through the student labor program, honoring the dignity and utility of all work, mental and manual, and taking pride in work well done.  The Supervision would include scheduling, assigning and approving work performed.  Developing students about common workplace acumen and giving them tangible work experience is an expected outcome.  To learn more about the student labor program and requirements on this position see:  Labor Program Goals

Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty and students.

Founded in 1855, Berea College achieved national distinction as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls 1,600 students from 43 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them a no-tuition promise, valued at more than $178,000. Berea’s students excel in the College’s supportive yet demanding academic environment, and many are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only nine federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College was again named one of the nation’s “Best Institutions for Undergraduates to Earn their College Degree” in the 2022 edition of The Princeton Review’s book, The Best 387 Colleges. Berea also appeared on four other lists within the publication: Best Colleges in the Southeast; Best Value Colleges; Best Green Colleges; and Tuition Free Schools. Berea College is ranked #148 by The Princeton Review – the highest-ranked Kentucky college, and the #3 “Best Value College” in the nation. Berea is one of only two private institutions ranked in the Top 10 for Value in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education (THE) 2022 College Rankings. The Washington Monthly ranks Berea College #13 among the nation’s liberal arts colleges, recognizing Berea for maintaining “consistently high rankings thanks to their economic diversity, relatively strong graduation rates, and commitment to meeting students’ financial need.” U.S. News and World Report Rankings lists Berea as #30 among National Liberal Arts Colleges, including ranking Berea #1 in Service Learning, #2 for Most Innovative Schools, #3 in Co-ops/Internships, #4 in First-year Experiences, and tied for #13 in Best Undergraduate Teaching.

Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at www.berea.edu.

Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.

Berea College is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application!

Berea College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Note to Prospective Employees:

Each year, Berea College Public Safety publishes an annual report to the campus to make public crime statistics, policies, and procedures for Berea College.  This Annual Security Report, required by the Jeane Clery Act, Minger Act, and the Student Right To Know Act is now available for review.  For a full, printable version of the ASR, you can click here: https://www.berea.edu/public-safety/annual-security-report-2019/

For a policy-by-policy version that is easier to read and browse, please visit Public Safety’s website here: https://www.berea.edu/public-safety/annual-security-report-2019/