Technical Director and Designer - Calvin University

SUMMARY

The Technical Director and Designer is responsible for designing all sets, scenery, props, and lighting for all Calvin Theatre and Dance Company (CTDC) productions, building and/or supervising the building of scenery for all CTDC productions, and maintaining the production technical calendar. Also responsible for safe scene shop operations, maintaining scene shop equipment, property and furniture storage areas and other theatre-related facilities, supervising student employees and unpaid student crews, hiring and supervising technical theatre guest artists (such as, but not limited to, lighting and sound design, stage managers, etc.), and ensuring that all CTDC productions are artistically and professionally served throughout the academic year.



ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.



As Technical Director, build or supervise building of all scenery and properties for all CTDC productions. Take charge of the daily operations of the scene shop and the property area including the production of all necessary working drawings, construction, or supervision of construction, load-in, rigging, changing and strike of all scenery, properties, and lighting, and attendance at all production meetings and technical rehearsals.



As Designer, design scenery, lighting, and props for all CTDC productions by working with the production director and other designers (including Calvin University faculty/staff or contracted guest artists) as an artistic collaborator and creating a visual world consistent with the play and the director’s artistic vision for it. The scenic designer will supply all the artistically communicative drawings, paintings, models, drafting plans and elevations necessary for the production to be built and painted in the scene shop. Also responsible for all scenic painting and the direct supervision of paid student workers and unpaid student crew members. As lighting designer, supply all necessary light plots, schedules, color lists and all other paperwork necessary to ensure that the lighting design can be realized on the stage. The Designer will ensure that the artistic integrity of the production is maintained.



Coordinate the purchase of scenic construction materials by researching prospective vendors, generating written budget estimates based on scenic and property design specifications and selecting and purchasing all construction materials to ensure that purchases are cost-effective, and deliveries are made in a timely manner.



Collaborate with the Production Manager on setting and maintaining the yearly technical calendar and communicating the calendar and its frequent changes to the theatre faculty, staff, and students involved in productions. Consult with theatre faculty and staff colleagues for major equipment purchases and upgrades as well as budget tracking and management. Responsible for suggesting renovations and innovations to the theatre spaces, including purchase of new equipment in the theatre, scene shop and costume shop facilities; for long-term theatre program planning; for soliciting property donations; for preparing and maintaining the theatre spaces for internal and external rentals; and for working as a member of the theatre staff to help shape policy, and ensure an educationally rich, efficient, and safe theatre program.

Support scenic and property production needs by inventorying and maintaining all tools and equipment; making purchases of new equipment; maintaining stock of all necessary production items to ensure timely availability of scenery and properties for productions.

Adhere strictly to budgetary requirements for both student labor and scenic materials, and maintain and control production scenery budgets, scene shop maintenance and Gezon and Lab Theatre budgets for both Furniture and Equipment and General Supplies, tracking expenditures while purchasing necessary materials, tools, supplies and equipment.

Ensure safety in the scene shop and the theatres by maintaining a safe, clean, organized and pleasant work environment and complying strictly with OSHA and MIOSHA guidelines for the workplace.Serve as safety officer for the scene shop and theatre areas, as well as area Campus Safety Emergency Liaison. Perform other related administrative and safety duties by maintaining current files of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all products used in the scene shop, properties, paint and theatre areas.



Organize and maintain the CTDC property, furniture, fabric storage and lighting equipment storage areas to ensure proper availability and accountability. Maintain lighting and sound equipment as necessary. Coordinate outside property rentals, as time permits.



Hire and supervise all contracted technical theatre guest artists, as production budgets allow. Positions may include, but are not limited to lighting design, sound design, scenery design, projection design, stage management, etc.



SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervise up to 10 student employees, specifically scene shop carpenters, electricians, paint assistants, properties assistants, and lighting and sound assistants. Also, train and supervise student scenic construction, properties, paint, and lighting crews.



QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree or Bachelor of Fine Arts in technical theatre and design, from a four-year university or college, and three to five years experience as a theatre Technical Director; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Scene shop and stage properties experience required; advanced computer skills in database and word processing required; excellent computer skills in computer aided drafting and design (CADD) required; supervisory experience helpful; excellent organizational, communication, interpersonal and time management skills required.



OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to remain calm in stressful situations. Ability to work well in a team environment. Demonstrated ability to train and educate student production crews. Good knowledge of theatre history and theatrical styles. Good knowledge of basic engineering skills. Excellent knowledge of drawing and painting skills with a variety of media. Excellent knowledge of current and new materials used in scenic and property production. Excellent knowledge of power tools and shop and stage equipment. Excellent knowledge of safety standards and practices in the scene shop and on stage. Excellent computer skills for drafting and design.



COMMUNICATION SKILLS

This position requires the ability to greet callers and visitors, answer factual questions about the university, and otherwise employ good communication skills and tact. Proofread correspondence for spelling, grammar, and content errors; occasional drafting and editing of correspondence. May occasionally handle some confidential information.



COMPLEXITY

The position requires the ability to carry out detailed written/oral/ diagram form instructions. Deals with standardized situations involving several variables.



ACCOUNTABILITY

The position has the authority, if approved, to take action or make recommendations that will affect procedures, processes, and practices involving customers or employees within the same department.



DECISION MAKING/JUDGMENT

This position typically involves projects and/or assignments with considerable decision making authority regarding procedures, plans, and schedules.



PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work in this position requires occasional exposure to conditions and/or physical effort of some duration. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



Walking or standing Lifting and/or carrying objects weighing 5-20 lbs. Lifting and/or carrying objects weighing more than 20 lbs. Pushing or pulling of carts, dollies, and the like. Climbing ladders, scaffolding and the like. Driving an automobile, van or truck on public roads and highways. Proofreading and checking documents for accuracy. Using a keyboard to enter, retrieve or transform data.



WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.



Working in an area that is somewhat uncomfortable due to drafts, noise, temperature or the like. Working in a confined area ("close quarters") for two or more hours at a time Working in an area that is very unpleasant because of extreme temperatures, noise levels, odors, or other. Working with equipment or performing procedures where carelessness would probably result in minor cuts bruises, or muscle strains. Working with chemicals or other substances where extreme caution is required to avoid illness or injury. Operating heavy equipment and/or performing other extremely hazardous duties.



FAITH and EDUCATIONAL COMMITMENT

1. Commitment to the educational mission of Calvin as a Christian liberal arts University affiliated with the Christian Reformed Church.

2. A commitment to the Christian faith and to the integration of faith, learning, and student development.



DIVERSITY COMMITMENT

Demonstrated awareness and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communication across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to, race, gender, physical limitations, class, or religious perspectives.
Salary: 40-46k