Production Manager/Tech Director - TADA! Youth Theater

TADA! Youth Theater is seeking a Part-Time Production Manager/Tech Director for upcoming winter production. Position starts January 4, 2022 and runs through strike mid-March. This position could possibly turn into a longer part-time position for the season which runs through the beginning of August.



Applicants should email their cover letter and resume with references to Ashley Knowles, aknowles@tadatheater.com, Associate Director of Ensemble Program.



OUR VISION:



TADA!’s vision is that all young people grow up feeling successful, creative, confident, accepted, and accepting of themselves. Through the ability of people learning to express themselves well we can break down barriers of racism and inequality and create positive, active citizens.





OUR MISSION:

TADA! Youth Theater’s mission since 1984 has been to provide young people from different social, racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds with musical theater programs that inspire them to learn, be creative, and think differently through high-quality productions, positive youth development, and education programs.





ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND: TADA! is a unique, Drama Desk award-winning nonprofit youth theater that produces original musicals for children, teens, and family audiences. TADA! offers a free, year-round, pre-professional training and a positive youth development program for the Resident Youth Ensemble (ages 8-18); musical theater classes/camps for the public; as well as musical theater residencies in NYC schools and community centers. Through TADA!’s high-quality work, young people's self-confidence and creativity are enhanced. They also develop advanced skills in leadership, communication, responsibility, collaboration, and problem-solving – skills that help with growing up and are essential to their success both in school and in life.





OUR VALUES:



Musical Theater Passion - We value and have a deep passion for musical theater as an art form that empowers, educates, and transforms people from all different backgrounds.



Unique Programming - We value TADA!’s unique programming. Our innovative and responsive approaches to musical theater adapt to the evolving landscape of our community and world, serving and supporting the TADA! Family (board, staff, students, and families and audiences) for over 36 years.



Artistic Excellence: We value creating high-quality, innovative, professional musical theater productions, programs, and experiences that inspire, transform, empower, challenge, and engage our TADA! family and the greater global community.



Community: We value an ensemble-based environment where the TADA! family collaborates as a team and works together respectfully and creatively. All TADA! programs and experiences are rooted in ensemble, and through ensemble based practices, we strive to make everyone involved feel brave to explore and authentically express themselves and their identity. By exploring the depths of others and cultivating empathy, we find space for our true selves to shine.



Empowerment and Leadership: We value and encourage everyone in the TADA! family to share their voice and be heard. We want our staff, board, ensemble members, students, and families to feel seen, heard, and free to advocate for themselves. We strive to provide leadership opportunities at all levels; in the classroom, rehearsal room, and behind closed doors with our staff and board members.



Arts for All: We value diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility, and justice. We value providing all people an opportunity to create, imagine, learn, and experience the joy of musical theater, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, ability, nationality, and immigration status. We are committed to being an actively anti-racist and anti-oppressive organization, believe that racial division is a key tool of oppression, and that we gain strength and power in learning and sharing our histories, cultures, and experiences. We commit to urgent action, innovation & transformation within the world and in our own organization.



Professionalism: We value professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of our work. We value highly trained and versatile musical theater professionals who are dedicated ambassadors and champions of TADA! Youth Theater’s mission, vision, and values in person and online. We commit to continuous improvement and professional growth.



Culture of Growth: We value creating a brave, transparent, and supportive culture of growth through respect, collaboration, and teamwork where the TADA! Family feels empowered to take risks and explore their interests and identities at their own pace in order to grow into kind, empathetic human beings.



Nurture Creativity: We value creating a brave space that encourages and supports creativity where everyone is respected and included. Through supportive ensemble-based productions, programs, and experiences, we see growth in self-expression, risk-taking, and self-confidence.



Fun: We value sharing the joy and fun of musical theater with all people every day





Purpose of Production Manager/Tech Director



The Production Manager (PM) manages all items relating to the technical aspects (e.g., set, lighting, costume, sound, and projection) of TADA!'s mainstage productions. A key focus of this position is to provide qualified, professional crew as well as keep communication flowing seamlessly between all production personnel, artistic personnel and executive staff. The PM has to have a significant amount of technical knowledge, besides being in charge and hands-on for set construction, they also manage the safety and maintenance of the theater space and its equipment with the foresight to identify issues that may be ahead and prepare for them with potential solutions that fall within the resources of the approved budget. Using a professional rapport, the PM must be able to communicate clearly and specifically with staff and vendors who do business with TADA!





Reports to: Associate Director of Ensemble Program/Production Stage Manager



Hours/Rate: Part-Time salaried position. $8500/total pay which will be split evenly and paid bi-monthly through payroll. Hours/days do fluctuate based on build/load-in schedule. Includes some night and weekend hours.





Key Responsibilities



Reinforce/maintain communication between designers and the artistic & production teams, and TADA! staff as well as work with Production Stage Manager to create timetables for the production process including design deadlines, budgeting/bidding phases, build and install schedule and strike/restore.



Lead/supervise and hands-on work for build and load-in



Ensure all technical aspects of the production work smoothly, efficiently, and safely.



Issue production budgets to designers and department heads as well as weekly tracking / reconciliation of production department budgets while in production. Provide comprehensive technical quote estimates for total cost. Analyzing Scenic designs for cost and feasibility.



As needed, approve and issue payments through Business Manager for designers’ budgets



Find, interview, negotiate terms, and hire (through your network, job postings or recommendations) a Master Electrician, Carpenters, Scenic Artist, and any other department heads needed for each production (i.e., video, audio, etc.)



Work with department heads to source electricians and general hands if they do not have their own labor pool



Consultation with designers and department heads regarding fabrication, materials acquisition, resources, and vendor relationships as well as execution methods (e.g., methods of value engineering)



Bidding of rental gear and materials from vendors for production needs



Purchase and/or acquire materials and equipment for all production departments



Schedule production meetings with Production Stage Manager as well as assist with creating agenda and managing the meetings



Work with Production Stage Manager to devise a props budget on a per production basis as well as assist with any props that need additional building, sourcing, or renting



Process all new hire paperwork, timesheets/invoices, tracking, and issuing of payments for all department heads and additional hands. Negotiate and manage said rates to make sure it falls within the production budget



Inform and/or instruct production staff on health and safety, build, and storage practices for the production and make sure that they are followed



Everything built must be “kid-proofed” and inspected by the PM with department heads and Production Stage Manager



All items must be fireproofed to fulfill NYC fire department requirements for performances in a place of public assembly. (i.e. - fireproofing all soft goods, painting all raw wood with latex paint or treating with fireproofing chemicals)



Must attend all scheduled production tech rehearsals and production meetings



Read and follow the rehearsal and performance reports issued by the Production Stage Manager and be “on-call” throughout the production to directly handle or sub-contract (budget allowing) any issues that need attention for the production to continue smoothly.



Oversee strike and restore of the theater including light plot, box office, dressing rooms, and all storage spaces upon conclusion of production



Inform Business Manager and Executive Director when any payments for the production are outstanding or misappropriated to vendors, contractors, or employees; maintain communication and progress until rectified



Maintain theater space cleanliness and orderliness of equipment and stored goods during the time that the production is using the theater spaces.



Devise and execute solutions when repairs or maintenance is needed to the theater in order to execute production tasks; hire subcontractors if budget allows or is necessary



Track and manage Production budget



Maintain the initiative to come in under budget or on budget with all accounts



Regularly check TADA! issued email account for pertinent messages and required actions as well as follow TADA! standards for file management, Salesforce information, QuickBooks accounting, and other communication / data storage procedures



Other duties as assigned





Qualifications:



Professional Technical theater experience with specific experience overseeing production crews and building scenery.



Ability to provide onsite supervision, leadership, and instruction to execute installations in accordance with designers’ visions and safe working practices as needed.



Ability to work in a theatre without a scene shop and limited storage



Experience managing production budgets including the allocation and distribution of funds and the reconciliation of budgets at the close out of each production.



Experience reading ground plans, light plots, and other theatrical specifications and turning those plans into realized production elements on schedule and on budget. Maximize the reuse of stock scenic elements.



Broad working knowledge of all aspects of theatrical construction, rigging, audio, and video production.



Ability to work in an environment dedicated to youth and teens



Excellent communication skills including navigating technical and non-technical artistic conversations.



Self-motivated, organized and detail oriented.





Applicants should email their cover letter and resume with references to Ashley Knowles, aknowles@tadatheater.com, Associate Director of Ensemble Program.



TADA! Youth Theater is committed to building and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that is representative of the youth in our Ensemble program. TADA! is continually working to become a more anti-racist organization. Priority will be given to candidates who are dedicated to anti-racism and share our mission and vision above. Candidates from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals are encouraged to apply. COVID-19 Vaccination required.



We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or veteran status.
Salary: $8500/total pay