POSITION: Associate Production Manager

DEPARTMENT: Production

CLASSIFICATION: Full- Time/ Salaried/ Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Director of Production

Pay Rate: Minimum $53,000

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre, and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award® and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to 40 American cities. Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them work year-round. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.

Rob Melrose, Artistic Director at the Alley, took over as artistic leader of the organization in 2019. His vision for the future of the Alley is both thrilling and ambitious. His strategic goals include upholding the Alley’s artistic excellence, keeping longtime Alley Theatre devotees eager to return each season, and creating productions and cultivating new audiences that are as diverse and vibrant as the city of Houston.

Rob Melrose, Managing Director Dean Gladden and the Alley’s leadership team are committed to promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of the Theatre’s programming and operations. We are conscious about fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic selves. We embrace differences and strive to be inclusive of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

JOB STATEMENT

The Associate Production Manager assists with the daily operations, and administration of the production department. The Production Office is comprised of the Director of Production, Production Managers (2), Associate Production Manager and Production Office Assistant

With the Director of Production and Production Managers (2), the Associate Production Manager assists in overseeing the theatrical and artistic productions and day-to-day business of the production department, design development, designer relations, play development workshops, education productions and all other production elements.

The Associate Production Manager is directly responsible for assisting the Production Managers in managing the Seasonal/ Full-time and Over-Hire Production Assistants, assisting in onboarding the AEA Stage Managers, takes the lead on assigned shows auxiliary events (e.g., ECE Education tours, Alley All New Festival, etc.).

JOB DUTIES

• Participates in achieving the artistic and administrative goals of the Alley Theatre. Ensures quality and consistency while maintaining the highest production values.
• Serves as Production Manager for assigned shows, Education & Community Engagement programming, and special projects, managing all aspects of those events from inception through closing.
  • Maintain provided budgets for assigned projects.
  • Lead Production Meetings for assigned projects
• Assists the Lead Production Manager on shows as assigned. Understands all aspects of production to facilitate needs throughout the build, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, previews, running and closing of each production and special event.
• Responsible for reading all show reports, rehearsal notes, rehearsal schedules, and building schedules. Follow up on applicable details/notes and communicate information to staff as appropriate.
• Attend tech rehearsals and previews, as needed, to serve as a liaison between the Alley Theatre and guest artists. Help solve problems and suggest solutions to maintain high quality and to assist in decisions regarding labor, schedules, and resources. Assist in supervising the full-time/over-hire Production Assistants, and Interns. Assist the Production Managers in managing the workflow of the Production Office Assistant, full-time/over-hire Production Assistants, and interns.
• Request housing and travel for designer visits from General Management when necessary. When travel is booked, work with department heads, Production Managers, and Director of Production to create designer work schedule and disseminate that schedule to those who need it.
• Works with Director of Production to maintain staff morale. Suggest, organize, and manage production staff events to maintain and increase morale.
• Attend artistic staff meetings, production head meetings, show specific production meetings, and General Management/Production Management meetings on a weekly basis. Attend full staff meetings and the annual board meeting. Run production head meetings and show specific production meetings when the Director of Production or the Production Managers are not available.
• Maintain Stage Management offices, the Music room, and supplies.
• Assists in scheduling Production specific meetings. This may include meeting invite management and assessing availability.
• Assists in managing the event request portion of the Alley’s company calendar.
• Assists in managing the Production’s portion of the capital equipment inventory and maintenance.
• Manages the SM script archive. This may include file structure, labeling, and establishing a process for archiving the scripts.
• Reconcile purchases of personal company credit card in a timely and organized manner.
• Actively engages in education and development of anti-oppressive and inclusive practices and policies in the production department and theatre wide.

• Additional duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the Production Managers to supervise the Production Assistants. This may include updating job descriptions, hiring, onboarding, and training new team members, including over-hire staff.
• Motivates and coaches employees to improve performance, provides feedback and training opportunities.
• Assists in organizing and overseeing the schedules and work of departmental staff.
• Ensure staff members follow company policies and procedures.
• Supervises Production staff as needed.

REQUIREMENTS (SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE):

• Maturity and understanding of the artistic process and excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and diplomacy skills
• Excellent computer skills; Word & Excel heavy environment
• Strong understanding of all aspects of theatrical production
• Highly organized with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, energized, and quickly changing environment
• A proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making skills
• Detail oriented, able to prioritize efficiently and multi-task
• Ability to be self-directed and take initiative
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• Previous management role in theatre or experience in production or stage management.
• Knowledge and experience with theatrical unions (AEA, SSDC, USA) preferred
• Knowledge of safety equipment and products preferred
• experience working in a professional theatre
• Understanding of historical and institutional racism in the American theatre, or a commitment to learning, and to be a part of Alley Theatre’s efforts to be an anti-racist organization

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Alternates with prolonged periods of standing and moving.
• Ability to lift and move 25 lbs.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where directions and priorities can change rapidly.
• Typical hours are Monday – Friday daytime hours with evening and weekend hours for technical rehearsals on assigned shows.

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, floating holiday and sick time
• 401(k) with matching, FSA, HRA (Alley paid deductible)
• Free and discounted tickets to Alley Theatre performances
• Discounted Parking only bi-weekly $4 dollars.
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee wellness program & EAP
• Houston, TX is one of the most affordable cities in the nation with no state or city income tax.

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please go to the following link on the Alley’s website and apply.

https://www.alleytheatre.org/about-us/opportunities/employment

Alley Theatre is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].

The Alley Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, veterans, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. Successful candidates will commit to an equitable and inclusive workplace, including but not limited to: racial equity, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, use of gender inclusive language, and cultural sensitivity. Read more at Alley Theatre Official Website - Equity Diversity Inclusion