Director of Production - MIT | Music and Theater Arts

Position

The MIT Music and Theater Arts Section is seeking a full-time Director of Production who will coordinate the production cohort (currently comprising two technical instructors: one in Sound Design and the other in Lighting and Video Design) to ensure the smooth realization of all production aspects for Theater Arts events including faculty-led performances, student productions, workshops, readings, lectures, exhibitions and creative residencies.



Responsibilities

The Director of Production will create budgets, calendars, and staffing plans and collaborate with the production cohort to meet project targets and goals while maintaining a reasonable working schedule. When necessary, identifies and recruits additional staff including stage managers, carpenters, electricians, wardrobe support, media artists, programmers, etc. An active participant in the engineering, planning and execution of designs, the Director of Production, when necessary, submits designs to shops or rental houses to solicit bids and manages fabrication or rentals to meet set, costume, lighting, sound, and projection needs. Fosters clear communication with project team members by scheduling and facilitating design and production meetings. Ensures that standards of safety are observed by serving as the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) representative for Theater Arts. Strengthens collaborations within Theater Arts through clear and effective communication. Plays a direct role in instructing students through an average of two classes annually and provides mentorship for those engaged in the production-oriented aspects of the program. The Director of Production contributes to the ongoing development of the program by providing organization, expertise, and leadership in the coordination of all technical aspects of production and to the day-to-day equipment and theater facility operations.



Qualifications

Demonstrated excellence managing and organizing the production needs of various types of performance events. Ability to anticipate the needs of a project and plan ahead to arrange for necessary materials, equipment, personnel, and institutional approvals. Proven creativity and resourcefulness in realizing ambitious projects while effectively managing available resources. History of successful collaborations in a broad range of performance idioms. Experience teaching in a higher education environment and/or instructional experience in alternative settings. Conversant in areas of technical production including new media and openness to emergent approaches to performance. Fluent in industry standard safety practices regarding shop, rehearsal, and performance facilities. Able to problem solve in a fast-paced environment while also focusing on long term goals. Possesses excellent communication skills. Bachelor of Arts and equivalent professional experience required. The Director of Production must be able to move objects weighing 20 to 50 lbs. Work will require use of arms and or legs to push, pull, and lift objects and will require climbing ladders, and the operation of a lift when needed. On occasion, work will require traveling from site-to-site and require driving a vehicle on occasion. A valid driver’s license or ability to obtain a driver’s license in the first six months is required.



Program Overview

Situated within the Music and Theater Arts section of the School of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences at MIT, the program in Theater Arts offers an array of courses and experiences in support of the Bachelor of Science Major, Minor, and Concentration in Theater Arts. As part of a vibrant interdisciplinary arts community at MIT, the program in Theater Arts annually presents publicly attended performances, workshops, readings, lectures, exhibitions and creative residencies. In AY2018/19, for example, there were two fully-produced student productions, one student-led workshop, a mini festival of student play readings, a professional play development workshop, a three-day screening series with symposia, a faculty-led dance concert, a faculty-led cabaret performance and an end of semester design exhibition. Additionally, MIT Performing and MIT Sounding, produced by the Center for Art Science and Technology, produced four creative residencies with public presentations, two conceptual concerts, and presented three fully produced guest performances. More about MIT Performing here: https://arts.mit.edu/cast/performances/. More about the program in Theater Arts here: https://mta.mit.edu/theater-arts.



Diversity, Wellness, and Inclusion

MIT Music and Theater Arts is united in our pursuit of artistic, intellectual, creative and technical excellence; this requires intense focus and dedication by all members of our community. We value diversity and practice inclusion with regard to identities, backgrounds, opinions and beliefs. We see our students as whole people and prioritize their mental, emotional and physical health. This ethos extends to both our advisory and pedagogical relationships. Diversity, wellness and inclusion are central to our curriculum and hiring; we are therefore committed to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff to enhance the educational experience of the students we serve.



Affirmative Action

MIT complies with all Federal and State laws and regulations concerning Affirmative Action and workplace equal opportunity that are outlined by policies and procedures to assure that employment-related actions are made without regard to non-work related, personal characteristics such as race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, disability, or national or ethnic origin.



Americans with Disabilities Act

To comply with regulations by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the principal duties in position descriptions must be essential to the job. To identify essential functions, focus on the purpose and the result of the duties rather than the manner in which they are performed. The following definition applies: a job function is essential if removal of that function would fundamentally change the job.



Starting Date: January 1, 2022



Required Materials Cover letter, CV (including teaching interests and experience), three names of professional references. Applicants are also invited to include detailed draft syllabi and/or course descriptions for proposed course offerings as well as evidence of teaching or mentoring experience (such as past course evaluations). Additional materials may be requested. Review of applications will begin September 1, 2021.



To apply and find additional information please click on this link: https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/18885
Salary: $65,000-$75,000