Imagination Stage
Bethesda, MD
US

DESCRIPTION

POSITION: Technical Director REPORTS TO: Director of Production

DEPARTMENT: Production FLSA Status: Exempt

POSITION STATUS: Full Time – hours are variable. Will include some weekends, evenings and holidays. Must be present during all load-ins, tech weeks, strike, and annual gala.

WORK LOCATION: Beltsville, MD with occasional work at Imagination Stage’s Headquarters and Theater in Bethesda, MD for Load Ins, Techs, Strikes, and other business. This position is onsite five (5) days per week.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Technical Director serves as a key member of Imagination Stage’s production team, with responsibility for ensuring the safe, accurate, and effective execution of scenic designs in line with the designer’s vision and the allocated resources. The TD serves in a leadership role in the Production Department, working with the Director of Production and other Production Area Heads on long range planning, budgeting, and personnel management. The TD leads a shop staff of a Lead Carpenter and a Resident Carpenter along with overhire technicians as needed for build, load ins, and strike.

PRIMARY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Production and Technical Duties

● Actively participate in the production process in a way that fosters interdepartmental collaboration and fulfillment of the artistic vision of the production.

● Lead effective communication with designers, ensuring that deadlines are achieved and that designs can be realized within defined resources.

● Design technical solutions for the general safety, function, and structure of scenic elements.

● Direct the shop staff and overhire carpenters during scenery build, load in, notes calls, and strikes to ensure projects are completed to the highest quality possible within the available resources.

● Provide additional, hands-on construction support as needed through carpentry, welding, rigging, work with plastics, fabrics, and other set related materials in accordance with plans provided.

● Create detailed scenic materials and labor estimates for each production.

● In collaboration with the Scenic Charge Artist, create and oversee the scenic build schedule and load in and strike plans for each production.

● Create construction drawings as needed for the execution of each design.

● Actively recruit and hire overhire carpenters to supplement the build or load in crews as necessary.

● Attend production meetings, rehearsals, load in, technical rehearsals, and strike as necessary.

● Serve as primary emergency technician outside of regular hours in order to assist with the prompt resolution of show-related incidents, and ensure the production can safely proceed.

Administrative and Management Duties

● Collaborate with the Director of Production on season planning including budgets, build schedules, and scenic design deadlines.

● Provide day-to-day supervision of the scene shop staff, apprentices, and overhire carpenters.

● Purchase all materials and equipment for the scenery department.

● Manage and track scenic budgets and payroll based on the needs of the planned season and the parameters established by production management.

● Maintain Production Department and Scene Shop tools and equipment; manufacturing, office, and storage spaces; and vehicles to ensure safe and efficient operations.

● Ensure safe working conditions by identifying and mitigating potential hazards, updating procedures as new information is available, maintaining a proper supply of safety equipment and supplies, and creating an environment where safety comes first.

● Ensure that all inventories and show package information is maintained and current.

● Other duties as assigned within a reasonable scope.

ATTITUDE/COMMITMENTS

● Passion for serving children and families, and commitment towards Imagination Stage’s mission.

● Commitment to ongoing IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) work both personally, and organizationally.

● Desire to work collaboratively as part of an organization in which everyone is involved with the basic work of the company.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Ideal candidates will have experience working in a professional theatre scene shop environment. Candidates with equivalent experience in carpentry, welding, or construction environments and with experience in project management and managing collaborative teams are encouraged to apply.

● Demonstrated ability to understand and create informative and well-organized working drawings using Vectorworks.

● Have a thorough knowledge of tools, techniques, materials, and safe working procedures in scenic construction, theatrical rigging, scenic art, and the structural limitations of materials commonly used in theatrical settings.

● Strong understanding of shop and theater safety and PPE usage.

● Familiarity with CNC router programming and operation preferred.

● Working knowledge of stage machinery such as automation, motorized scenery, and pneumatics.

● Thorough understanding of how the various elements of the design and production process intersect and their impacts on planning and execution of the production process as a whole.

● Able to be an effective and efficient verbal and written communicator.

● Able to collaborate and uphold a tone of respect and optimism in a fast-paced setting.

● Attentive to detail, accountable, adaptable, and deadline oriented.

● Able to manage multiple tasks and projects independently and simultaneously.

● Knowledge of Microsoft products including Word and Excel and Google Workspace.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

The physical conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

● Able to walk and/or stand for long periods.

● Able to sit in an office environment for long periods.

● Ability to lift, push or maneuver up to 50-70 lbs. repeatedly alone, and up to 100 lbs. with others.

● Ability to climb stairs and ladders.

● Ability to work in high places such as catwalks and scissor lifts.

● Valid driver’s license and able to safely operate a motor vehicle (up to 26’ box truck)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job, and are in line with those of the live performance industry. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work will take place indoors in office, warehouse, and stage settings, with occasional outdoor work in all weather conditions. Lighting conditions vary from dim/dark to very bright and ambient sound levels can vary from very quiet to loud, with variations in duration.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

● Salary: $67,600 to $70,000 per year.

● Healthcare Benefits

● Paid Time Off: Vacation, Personal, and Sick

● Commuter Benefit

● Free and reduced priced tickets, classes, and summer camps

Imagination Stage celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values members of our whole community. Imagination Stage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It does not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

SALARY

$67,000.00 – $70,000.00 per year

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