Lincoln Center Theater
New York, NY
US

DESCRIPTION

Head Technician at the Claire Tow Theater (Lincoln Center Theater)

Overview:

Lincoln Center Theater has produced over 200 plays and musicals at the Vivian Beaumont, Mitzi E. Newhouse, and Claire Tow Theaters at Lincoln Center and other theaters on and off-Broadway, as well as touring productions nationally and around the world.
LCT is committed to developing and producing new works and classics with an emphasis on the work of new and emerging playwrights, directors, and designers. LCT’s education program, Open Stages, reaches thousands of public-school students annually with curriculum-related projects, teaching artist support, and tickets to LCT productions.

LCT Values:

LCT is dedicated to fostering a theater representative of all of the populations we serve. We are proactively committed to better serve artists, staff, crews, audiences, and broader communities through our organization's values. We welcome applicants who are in alignment with our organization's values of empathy, dignity, and care.

Position Summary:

The Head Technician is a key member of the theater’s operations and production team, responsible for the technical infrastructure, support for productions (both in-house and rentals), venue maintenance of lighting, sound, rigging, projection, and other related systems, and supervision of technical crews. This role ensures a safe, efficient, high‐quality technical production for shows and events in our 112-seat space while supporting the mission and non-profit culture of the organization. This is a full-time seasonal, non-exempt position defined under the Lincoln Center Theater/Tow I.A.T.S.E Local One collective bargaining agreement. The candidate must be a Local 1 Union member.

Responsibilities:

• Report to, and collaborate with LCT’s Production Management team.

• Serve as the lead technician for all productions and events in the theater: oversee load-in, set-up, tech rehearsals, show running, and strike/load-out.

• Manage and maintain the theater’s technical systems (lighting, audio, rigging, projection/video, house systems) to ensure reliability, safety, and compliance with codes.

• Consult with directors/designers and coordinate with hired crews.

• Supervise, train and schedule technical staff for productions and venue operations.

• Maintain inventory of technical equipment; recommend purchases, upgrades or rentals; manage budget for technical supplies.

• Develop and enforce safety protocols, rigging and electrical standards, and maintain a safe working environment backstage and in-house.

• Work with facility maintenance, building staff and vendors for theater infrastructure (e.g., electrical panels, HVAC, rigging inspections) to ensure venue readiness.

• Oversee technical requirements for rentals/visiting companies: review technical riders, coordinate scheduling, manage house tech crew interactions.

• Troubleshoot issues during performances, respond to technical challenges, consult and execute prompt decisions to keep shows running.

• Participate in production meetings, contribute to planning schedules and tech calendar, and support organizational goals of the nonprofit theater.

• Handle administrative tasks related to the technical department: timekeeping, crew scheduling, reporting, documentation of systems, draft SOPs.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Must be a Local 1 union member.

• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in theater technical production (or equivalent), including lighting, sound, rigging, projection/video.

• Proven ability to run lighting and sound consoles, understand rigging/automation, projection/video systems, and stage mechanics.

• Strong knowledge of safety standards for theater rigging, electrical systems, and venue operations.

• Demonstrated leadership experience, supervising technical crew and interacting with creative teams, visiting technicians or rental clients.

• Excellent problem-solving skills under pressure (performances, tight load-in, unexpected issues).

• Strong communication and collaboration skills; able to interface with artistic staff, management, building/maintenance teams, external rental clients.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays (typical of theater production schedules).

• Physical ability to handle rigging, lifting equipment, climbing ladders or catwalks as needed.

• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Theater Technology, Production, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• Preferred: Experience with nonprofit theater operations, rentals, and small to mid-sized performance venues.

• Preferred: Familiarity with New York City building/fire codes as they apply to performance venues, and experience working with outside vendors/contractors.
  

Work Environment & Conditions:

• 112-seat theater environment: close interaction with creative teams, performers, design staff, volunteers, and rental clients.

• Load-in and strike activities can involve heavy lifting, ladders, catwalks, scaffolds, use of stage rigging equipment, working at heights, and variable lighting/sound levels.

• Evenings and weekends are required during production peaks or events.

• Nonprofit culture: collaborative, flexible, mission-driven environment; comfort wearing multiple hats and supporting broader theater operations may be beneficial.

Why join LCT:

• Be part of a mission-driven nonprofit performance venue in New York City, supporting diverse arts and community programming.

• Lead and build the technical backbone of a beautifully intimate 112-seat house.

• Engage with an eclectic mix of productions: theatre, dance, film, community events, rentals.

• Opportunity for professional growth, creative collaboration, and a front-row seat to exciting performances.

Application Instructions: https://lct.bamboohr.com/careers/48

Please submit a cover letter, résumé (highlighting relevant theater technical and leadership experience), and three professional references. Include examples of productions you have overseen, key technical systems you have managed or implemented, and any facilities maintenance or operations oversight you’ve held. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

DURATION

Dec 21, 2025 -

SALARY

$39.43 – $39.43 per hour

UNION

APPLY ONLINE

https://lct.bamboohr.com/careers/48