Technical Director

Company Description

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why join The American Repertory Theater?

A.R.T. is a leading force in American theater, producing groundbreaking work that is driven by risk-taking and passionate inquiry in Cambridge and beyond. Since 2008, Terrie and Bradley Bloom Artistic Director Diane Paulus has pursued A.R.T.’s mission to “expand the boundaries of theater” by programming transformative theatrical experiences, always including the audience as a central partner. A.R.T. is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader of artistic innovation. In recent years, productions that began at A.R.T. have won 19 Tony Awards, and numerous works developed by A.R.T. have been performed throughout the country and around the world.

As the professional theater on the campus of Harvard University, A.R.T. is committed to playing a central role in the cognitive life of the University, catalyzing discourse, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative exchange among a wide range of academic departments, institutions, students, and faculty members. For more information, please visit our website at: https://americanrepertorytheater.org/.

Job Description

Directs all aspects of scenery, rigging, and automation in coordination with stage operations for A.R.T. Productions, including managing commercial scene shop builds.

Position Responsibilities:

Leadership, Culture, and Safety

• Promote an inclusive, respectful work environment for staff, overhire employees, and guest artists.
• Foster both psychological and physical safety through appropriate training, policies, and daily practices.

Production Planning and Artistic Collaboration

• Support and uphold the mission, vision, and values of A.R.T. in all production activities.
• Collaborate with scenic designers to realize designs within theatre resources, proposing solutions with production management and producers if issues arise.
• Work with external scenic shops and internal staff to deliver scenic designs on time and on budget, including approval of technical designs and shop builds.
• Plan and oversee scenic load-in, rigging, strike, load-out, and storage of closing shows, in collaboration with production management and other department heads.
• Read scripts and attend rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and previews as necessary to support the production process.
• Manage scenic, rigging, and automation elements from pre-production through closing.

Staffing, Scheduling, and Training

• Provide direct supervision to up to three existing production staff.
• Coordinate scenery load-in and load-out overhire labor.
• In concert with production management, coordinate external and internal show builds and maintenance schedules.
• Manage training and meeting schedules and attend required training sessions and shop/company meetings.

Budget and Administrative Management

• Develop scenery budget estimates, including scenery, rigging, automation, and stage operations budget lines.
• Submit updated budget and expense reports to production management.
• Manage weekly payroll for overhire employees and other direct reports.

Facilities, Equipment, and Communication

• Oversee organization and maintenance of scenic storage in collaboration with the Production Shop Supervisor.
• Maintain clear and consistent communication with other production departments and creative teams.
• Clearly articulate resource limitations and collaborate with creative teams to troubleshoot technical issues.
• Distribute technical ground plans and sections and provide samples and photos as needed, keeping designers and directors informed on scenic builds and support activities.

Working Conditions

A.R.T.’s shops are located 2 miles from the Loeb Drama Center, 3.5 miles from the Goel Center, and 25 miles from the A.R.T.’s warehouse. The shops and the Loeb Drama Center are multistory buildings without elevators, with work taking place on multiple levels. Work will cease at the Loeb Drama Center in Spring of 2027. The Goel Center is a new multi-story building with modern accessibility features.

The TD may be required to move scenery weighing upwards of 70 lbs and other materials to and from storage or around the building, as well as loading and unloading material from trucks and vans (both at a loading dock and from the street). They may also assist in the installation of rigging and loading of 40 lb stage weights into counter-weight arbors. During load-in and strike, work may take place on ladders, genies, and the grid. The TD may be required to carry materials up and down stairs and use hand and stationary power tools.

This role requires good manual dexterity, strength, coordination, and stamina.

Night and weekend work is expected.

This role requires work both indoors and outdoors.

Software Used: MS Office, Google Workspace, SharePoint, Slack, Zoom, Dropbox, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, and PeopleSoft (time reporting and human resources software).

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of AutoCAD or similar programs.
• Strong knowledge of engineering fundamentals and experience with their application to non-theoretical problems.
• Hands-on experience with scenic automation.
• Solid experience with safe, industry-standard rigging practices and hands-on experience building rigging systems. If not OSHA 30 certified, willingness to become so at A.R.T.’s expense upon hire.
• Advanced knowledge of theatrical construction techniques, including carpentry and rigging.
• The ability to create and critique technical designs and drawings.
• The ability to communicate with kindness and clarity, fostering teamwork and a collaborative environment.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills, including diffusing tension, navigating difficult conversations, and mediating resolutions.
• Ability to adapt and quickly communicate changes.
• Experience working with commercial scene shops.
• Class D driver’s license.
• Comfortable driving a 26’ truck.
• CNC router experience.

Additional Information

• Applicants are requested to attach a cover letter with their application.
• Candidates who move forward in the process should be prepared to submit samples of actual work products, including complex writing and correspondence, working estimate spreadsheets, and technical drawings.
• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Harvard University requires pre-employment references and background screenings: Identity
• Other Information: This position will have a 6-month orientation and review period.