DESCRIPTION
Geva Theatre, a LORT B regional theatre in the heart of Rochester, New York, seeks an experienced and collaborative Technical Director to join its production team.
The Technical Director leads the scene shop in supporting the director’s and designer’s vision related to the construction and procurement of all scenic elements within the allotted time, budget, and scope of resources. Also responsible for managing scene shop employees and maintain Geva’s core values of artistic courage, sustainability, excellence, boundless hospitality, empathy, and anti-racism and inclusion.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Supervision
- Manage and support the personnel in the scene shop to promote a safe, healthy, and productive working environment.
- When required, hire full-time and temporary or overhire staff to ensure quality work in the scene shop.
- Collaborate with design team and other production departments to establish methods for the design, construction and procurement of all scenic elements of Geva productions.
- Consult with designers and production department members on any issues that arise during the production process which pertain to any areas of responsibility.
Manage Scenery Construction & Install Process
- Manage the scene shop in procuring, creating, building and maintaining scenic elements, for both performance and rehearsal, so that the productions can be built, installed, and struck by shop employees in a timely, safe, and resource efficient manner.
- Generate technical drawings, including ground plans, construction drawings.
- Proactively plan and foster communication on upcoming shows with all relevant personnel.
- With Production Manager, review/revise budget estimates for each production by tracking all relevant information through the rehearsal reports and ensuring these requests match the allocated budget and resource, as given to you by the Production Manager
- In collaboration with the Production Manager and other Department Heads, prepare and review a build, load-in, and strike schedule for each production based on the available staff labor and the calendar issued by Production Management.
- Communicate the design and technical information to scene shop employees and other departments so the productions can be built and installed in a safe, timely, and resource efficient manner.
- Monitor and oversee the progress of technical drawings for all scenic elements based on the designer drawings so they can be built by the shop staff or vendors.
- With Production Manager, collaborate and lead the build and install of any external build projects taken on by Geva.
Shop Maintenance
- Organize and prepare information for daily maintenance of the scene shop.
- Manage stock and common areas to ensure safety and security.
- Collaborate with Production Manager and ATD to ensure materials are purchased in a timely and resource efficient manner, and correctly allocated to various budgets.
- Work with the scene shop staff to maintain an inventory of materials and a safe working environment for the scene shop employees so they may work safely and efficiently.
Administration
- Work with Production Manager to manage budget to ensure effective use of financial and personnel resources.
- Project expenses and manage expenses on a per-show basis.
- Analyze and monitor production and scene shop budgets. Prepare purchase orders and budget reports as required.
- Work collaboratively with other departments to determine and implement archival systems about each production for future reference.
- Actively participate in future initiatives relating to best theatre practice and initiatives.
DESIRED TRAITS IN A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
- Demonstrated leadership experience in similar scaled, related positions, or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
- Experience in leadership, teamwork, and management principles for a diverse staff.
- Knowledge of construction drafting techniques to create drawings used by employees for scenic construction.
- Knowledge of a wide variety of construction materials commonly used in the theatre for implementation in technical designs and how to use them appropriately.
- Advanced knowledge of standard and best theatrical scenic construction methods.
- Knowledge of rigging and theatrical automation.
- Knowledge of engineering and structures for theatrical use.
- Skills in carpentry, welding, rigging, and sewing to be drawn from when engineering technical designs.
- Skills in preparing budgets and labor estimates to keep projects within an acceptable timeframe, budget, and scope.
- Advanced knowledge and experience of drawing in 2D and 3D AutoCAD programs.
- Knowledge of and ability to use computer and other technical resources to effectively accomplish work, including word processing and database preparation for information review, preparation, organization, and communication.
- Ability to balance scale and scope of productions with designers and production management while allocating, and advocating for, appropriate time and resources needed by employees to realize designers’ vision.
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of collaborators with diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to delegate tasks to others in order to keep the flow of work moving forward at an efficient rate.
- Ability to lead and supervise employees to get work done efficiently and safely.
- Ability to quickly solve problems that may arise unexpectedly in order to get work done efficiently and safely.
- Ability to research an unknown process or material so it may be applied to a technical solution for a scenic element.
- Capacity to solve problems and engage in creative thinking about challenges.
- Knowledge of current best health and safety practice within the US Theatre Industry.
- Experience, ability and commitment to working with diverse groups in terms of gender expression, race, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class and immigrant status.
Geva Theatre is dedicated to create and produce singular theatre productions and programs that serve the Rochester region and beyond, by illuminating the fullness of our many human experiences. As Rochester’s flagship professional theatre, Geva is one of the most attended regional theatres in New York State. Geva operates two venues – the 516-seat Elaine P. Wilson Stage and the 180-seat Ron & Donna Fielding Stage.
Critical to Geva Theatre’s core values is an institutional culture of dignity, trust, and mutual respect. We are committed to upholding the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and anti-racism in recruitment of staff in all departments. To that end, for all employment opportunities, we actively encourage applications from, women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals, individuals with disabilities and all other identities and legally protected classes. Geva Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. All are welcome here.
Salary and benefits ranging from $61,000-$65,000 annually.
To apply, please submit a cover letter that addresses your experience and how you see your work aligning with Geva’s values, a resume, and three professional references.
DURATION
Dec 16, 2024 -
SALARY
$61,000.00 – $65,000.00
per year
