Technical Director

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Reports to: Production Manager

 

Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA), founded in 1979 by its Artistic Director Jeffrey Horowitz and led by Horowitz and Managing Director Dorothy Ryan, is an award-winning off-Broadway LORT- C theatre whose mission is to develop and vitalize the performance and study of Shakespeare and classic drama alongside other new work.  TFANA is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and equitable environment and strongly encourages applications from underrepresented populations. The position will remain open until a diverse and qualified pool of candidates is identified.

 

Values and Strategies:

We are guided in our work by five core values: a reverence for language, a spirit of adventure, a commitment to diversity, a dedication to learning, and a spirit of service. These values inform what we do with artists, how we interact with audiences, and how we manage our organization. Language is at the heart of all we do. We focus on the language and ideas of writers. We believe that hearing great language powerfully expressed improves our listening skills, opens our eyes, and deepens our perception and understanding of the world around us. We infuse our work with adventure—provocative ideas, visual boldness, and a sense that we are on a lifelong journey with Shakespeare and classic drama. We are committed to diversity—diverse approaches to dramatic material, diversity on our staff, in our casting and audiences, and multifaceted relationships with uniquely different communities. Learning is a fundamental principle of the Theatre, and we value learning as a process that takes place over time—a process that depends on our ability to promote curiosity, reflection, study, research and dialogue in all our work. We are dedicated to service. Inspired by our civic role, we seek to create broad public access and to bond the diverse New York community through the language, pleasure and ideas of classical drama.  To advance our mission and values, Theatre for a New Audience:

  • produces Shakespeare alongside other plays of classic stature and major contemporary plays, creating a dialogue over centuries between Shakespeare and other authors about our contemporary world;
  • builds long-term associations with artists and offers programs for their growth and ongoing development;
  • promotes the humanities by presenting dynamic discussions with leading artists and scholars in a variety of fields in conjunction with the plays we present;
  • programs for wide-ranging audiences—from connoisseurs of diverse repertory to young people who are seeing groundbreaking productions for the first time;
  • promotes access for diverse audiences by offering reduced-priced tickets;
  • provides rich arts-in-education programs, including teacher training and the largest in-depth program to introduce Shakespeare in NYC Public schools;
  • contributes to the international theatre community through touring, artistic exchanges and partnerships.

 

Technical Director

Located in the Brooklyn Cultural District in Fort Greene, Polonsky Shakespeare Center opened in 2013. The Technical Director will manage a crew of overhire technicians. The ideal candidate will excel at working in teams, have strong skills in all aspects of scenic construction including complex rigging and automation, and be knowledgeable about all areas of technical design, including lighting, sound, and projection.

 

In addition to the Production Manager, the Technical Director works closely with the General Manager, Facilities Director, Theatre Manager, Associate Producer and Founding Artistic Director to ensure the efficient and effective use of teams and successful execution of productions.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Supervise theatrical activity within the theatre and its ancillary spaces and facilities
  • Design and execute safe configuration and rigging for all moving and rigged set pieces
  • Maintain, inspect, and repair all theatrical systems and supplies, including all rigging, soft goods, lighting, sound, and video equipment, and SteelDeck components
  • Evaluate and communicate costs and feasibility of designs to producers, including technical and engineering information
  • Manage load-ins, work calls, and strikes
  • Maintain scenic and rigging load-in schedule
  • Prepare bid packages for scene shops
  • Maintain policies to ensure and enforce safe work practices in all backstage and on-stage areas
  • Train freelance crew as necessary
  • Support theatre rentals as necessary
  • Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful working environment

 

Requirements:

We know that there are great candidates who may not have all of the qualifications listed below but possess fully transferable skills. So don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself if that’s you!

 

  • 3+ years of appropriate theatrical/technical experience preferably in the NYC performing arts market
  • Extensive knowledge of technical theatre, including all types of scenic construction, rigging, automation, lighting, sound and projection components
  • Proficient in using AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks
  • Ability to read, understand, and discern information from technical and design drawings
  • Ability to generate working drawings for scenic elements and Mainstage configurations a plus.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and crew management skills
  • Ability to manage and execute multiple complex projects at once
  • Ability to work within a budget
  • Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a positive attitude
  • Must work some non-traditional hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends as needed
  • Comfortable lifting objects 50+ pounds regularly and be comfortable working at heights up to 35’

 

Compensation: This is a Full-Time permanent position that is Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Salary range $66,000 — $70,000 annually. Benefits offered include medical, vision, Life and long-term disability insurance; paid time off; Employee Assistance Program; and voluntary pre-tax programs for retirement (403[b]), Transit and FSA.

 

To Apply: Please send cover letter and chronological resume, combined into a single PDF, to jobs@tfana.org with “Technical Director” in the subject line.

 

Theatre for a New Audience is committed to attracting, hiring and retaining employees who reflect the cultural diversity of our community. We believe that every employee has the right to work in a respectful environment that is free from discrimination, consistent with our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and respect. This commitment extends to all aspects of the employment relationship.