"Technical Director/Designer"

Job Details

DePauw University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:
Women, members of underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Position will remain open until filled.

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship at this time.

The Technical Director/Designer oversees all technical operations for theatrical productions and performing arts events, including scenic design and construction, lighting, sound, video, and rigging systems. The incumbent ensures safety compliance and coordinates the installation and operation of all technical elements. The Technical Director may serve as scenic and/or lighting designer for productions as assigned, and provides technical support for Institute of Music performances, admissions events, student organizations, and other campus events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

Technical Director Role

• Approve set and lighting designs with regard to safety, compatibility and scheduling considerations.
• Coordinate technical rehearsals and load-ins for productions, including scheduling rehearsals, managing technical crews, and overseeing the installation of production elements.
• Recruit and schedule technical crew members, including shop workers, board operators. Provide training, guidance, and support to ensure that all crew members understand their roles and responsibilities.
• Develop production budgets for technical elements including sets, lighting, sound, and special effects. Monitor expenses, negotiate vendor contracts, and make budgetary decisions to ensure productions are executed within financial constraints. Mentor and evaluate student designers in collaboration with directors and faculty.
• Coordinate the procurement, construction, and maintenance of props for productions. Work with prop designers and artisans to ensure that props are created or acquired according to the artistic vision of the production, and manage their storage, transportation, and use during rehearsals and performances.
• Work with lighting designers to develop lighting plots and cues for productions. Oversee the installation and operation of lighting equipment, including hanging and focusing lights, programming light cues, and managing lighting effects during performances.
• Coordinate backstage activities during rehearsals and performances, including cueing actors, managing scene changes, and ensuring the smooth flow of the production. Serve as a liaison between the production team and the cast and crew to facilitate communication and resolve issues as they arise.
• Oversee all theatrical rigging operations including counterweight fly systems, calculate load capacities for flown elements, conduct regular inspections, train crew on safe rigging practices, and maintain inspection logs and documentation required for annual certifications.
• Maintain comprehensive inventories of scenic materials, stock scenery, lighting equipment, and related supplies. Develop and implement comprehensive safety procedures and protocols for all production activities to ensure compliance with OSHA, fire codes, and industry safety standards.
• Attend production meetings and operations meetings.

Design

• Act as scenic designer and/or lighting designer for productions as assigned, which may include set design, lighting design, and video projection design for theatrical, music, and other performing arts events.
• Generate technical drawings for scenic and lighting elements as needed for construction and installation of materials.

General

• Collaborate with the Director of Productions to review the performing arts production calendar and identify technical design needs.
• Review technical riders for guest artists as needed by the Director of Production.
• Provide technical support for guest artist events.
• Assist with events and performances as assigned in the Green Center, Music on the Square, and produced under the Creative School.
• Conduct regular safety inspections of equipment, facilities, and performance spaces, addressing any hazards and maintaining documentation of all safety checks.
• Support technical theatre courses by providing equipment access, technical demonstrations, and guidance to students as requested by faculty. Oversee production strikes.
• Assist in developing a technical plan for space upgrades.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Adaptability - Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.
• Assertiveness - Ability to act in a self-confident manner to facilitate completion of a work assignment or to defend a position or idea.
• Coaching and Development - Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Communication, Written - Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.
• Diversity Oriented - Commitment to valuing a variety of different experiences, encouraging input and collaboration from campus stakeholders, including being mindful of experiences related, but not limited to: age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, LGBTQ, and/or job type.
• Management Skills - Ability to organize and direct oneself and effectively supervise others.
• Negotiation Skills - Ability to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.
• Judgment - The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.
• Project Management - Ability to organize and direct a project to completion.
• Resource Management (People & Equipment) - Ability to obtain and appropriate the proper usage of equipment, facilities, materials, as well as personnel.
• Time Management - Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with Summer Camps and Programs as necessary.
• Support events in the Green Center for the Performing Arts and other venues as assigned.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred; degree in technical theatre preferred.

Experience: Minimum of five years’ experience in design and construction of theatrical scenic elements and technical rehearsal required. Experience with single purchase fly system operation required. Experience with stage lighting and video projections desired.

Computer Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Calendar and Google Apps, and Online Data Entry. Experience with AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks is required.

Certificates & Licenses

OSHA 30 training preferred. Qualifications to acquire a Pyrotechnic license from the state of Indiana is desired.

Other Requirements

Extensive organizational skills.

Must be available on some nights and weekends as events occur.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Lift/Carry

Activity	Frequency
Stand	F (Frequently)
Walk	F (Frequently)
Sit	C (Constantly)
Handling / Fingering	C (Constantly)
Reach Outward	F (Frequently)
Reach Above Shoulder	F (Frequently)
Climb	F (Frequently)
Crawl	F (Frequently)
Squat or Kneel	F (Frequently)
Bend	F (Frequently)
10 lbs or less	F (Frequently)
11-20 lbs	F (Frequently)
21-50 lbs	F (Frequently)
51-100 lbs	O (Occasionally)
Over 100 lbs	O (Occasionally)

Push/Pull

Weight	Frequency
12 lbs or less	F (Frequently)
13-25 lbs	F (Frequently)
26-40 lbs	F (Frequently)
41-100 lbs	O (Occasionally)

Speak: F (Frequently)

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation.

O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Other Physical Requirements

• Vision (Near, Distance, Peripheral, Depth Perception)
• Hearing (Auditory perception, or audition)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work primarily inside, both in an office setting and in stage areas.