Technical Director

Chicago, IL, United States

Position Details

Position Details

Job Title

PROGRAM COORD ACADEMIC

Position Number

8100135

Job Category

University Staff

Job Type

Full-Time

FLSA Status

Exempt

Campus

Rogers Park-Lake Shore Campus

Department Name

FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Location Code

FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS (02105A)

Is this split and/or fully grant funded?

No

Duties and Responsibilities

SUMMARY The Department of Fine and Performing Arts ( DFPA ) at Loyola University Chicago invites applications for the position of Technical Director/Instructor. The DFPA comprises the disciplines of Dance, Fine Arts, Music, and Theatre; the Technical Director position is a full-time, ten-month non-tenure staff position teaching responsibilities in the theatre program. The Technical Director provides leadership and management to all stage operations and collaborates with faculty and student designers to support an ambitious annual departmental season of three mainstage theatrical productions, one annual dance concert and three - four second stage productions. The Technical Director manages all staff and resources to ensure the efficient and safe delivery of the highest artistic standards within the allocated resources of space, money, people, and time. In addition to overseeing the scenic construction of all departmental productions, the Technical Director supervises the day-to-day activities of the scenic shop and theatre performance facilities; supervises, trains and mentors a student work force of technicians and designers; and teaches basic scenic construction and technical theatre techniques to theatre and dance majors. Newly renovated facilities include a 215-seat thrust mainstage and a 40-60-seat black box laboratory theatre; the 15,000-square-foot scenic shop includes spaces for props, paint, carpentry, and welding. Apart from the 8-10 student workers in the scenic shop, other part-time support staff includes a Prop Artisan, collaboration with Scenic Design Faculty that oversees student scenic artists, and and the hiring of occasional production specialists. Loyola University Chicago is a Jesuit liberal arts University, whose mission values educating the whole person, being in service to others, seeking truth and being connected to the city of Chicago. The Theatre program at Loyola is NAST (National Association of Schools of Theater) accredited and serves an undergraduate population of 120 majors and minors. Our facilities and program are on Loyola's Lake Shore Campus, in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the far north side of Chicago, 6 miles from downtown. Chicago is one of the most exciting and vibrant theatre communities in the world. The ideal candidate is one that is well-rounded, safety-oriented, highly motivated, with the ability to be a calming rational presence for a diverse range of personalities and skill levels. The DFPA at Loyola is looking for someone who has an ardent desire to mentor undergraduates in a liberal arts environment and can manage multiple tasks and numerous projects within a fast paced, deadline driven environment. We are looking for candidates that have excellent skills in managing people and time, coupled with an enthusiasm for teaching and collaboration; a candidate that can quickly analyze problems and present creative solutions within artistic and financial parameters. Exceptional communication skills, welding, rigging, carpentry, and budget estimating skills are expected. Additional experience with electrics, sound, paints, properties and maintaining facilities will enhance application. Primary Responsibilities Plan, organize, supervise, and implement all technical aspects of each DFPA production throughout the build, installation, rehearsal and run through strike. * Evaluate technical and financial feasibility of potential and actual productions. * Ensure that productions will work within the physical requirements of theatre venues and within repertory situations. * Preparation of technical drawings for all scenery in support of designer's drafting, sketches, and models. * Oversee technical aspects of production builds, realizing scenic designs from bid process through delivery; o Procure necessary materials for builds within university purchasing guidelines. o Organize labor, develop, and communicate build and load in schedules to distribution to production staff members o Regularly communicate status updates and changes with stakeholders * Attend technical rehearsals and provide training to running crews and stage management. * Supervise and control all scenic functions throughout the production process. * Establish and maintain accurate archival records of all shows. * Prepare and reconcile seasonal and production specific budgets. * Actively participate in all production staff meetings, select faculty meetings and technical rehearsals.

* Perform other duties as assigned Teach sections of Scenic Construction-Theatre Practicum ( THTR 321S) each semester; provide training to scenic running crews for theatre and dance productions ( THTR 321R); Mentor and/or coordinate special projects as student interest and production needs arise ( THTR 321P) * Collaborate with design faculty and production management on implementing technical theatre curriculum. * Provide instruction in the appropriate use of tools, safety, and essential technical theatre learning outcomes. * In conjunction with design faculty, serve as mentor to design and technical theatre students, (including students that may be interested in Technical Direction), covering topics such as materials and methods, CAD , rigging, stage machinery, and production planning. * Assist in coordinating the use of the scenic shop and support areas for other courses and course related activities. o Order necessary supplies and materials (i.e., paint and canvas for scenic painting) o Coordinate student access to scenic shop and facilities o Coordinate scenic operations to accommodate teaching needs o Coordinate special projects based in technical production that may arise due to production needs or student interest through production credit ( THTR 321P), mentorship or paid scenic shop labor. Manage Operations of campus scenic shop, theatre spaces and other facilities * Maintain a safe work environment for student workers and theatrical participants * Supervise and schedule Scenic Charge, Props Artisan, and student (work-study) employees * Coordinate schedules and incorporate into master build schedules of Scenic Charge and Props Artisan o Participate in the recruitment and hiring of scene shop personnel o Cultivate a culture of students interested in technical theatre * Maintain and improve scene shop, tool inventory, and theatre storage areas (including properties, stock scenery items, tools, draperies, etc.) * Maintain and improve performance spaces Budget and Resource Management * Manage and track technical budgets, controlling costs and ensuring efficient use of resources within agreed budgets. * Prepare appropriate Capital Budget requests collaboration with faculty and Managing Director * Provide input on the creation of technical budgets, including crew and staffing requirements and material and equipment needs. * Maintain inventories and warranties on major tools and equipment Production Policies and Theatre Safety * Work with Managing Director and Production Management in planning schedules, budgets, space, and stage usage and ensuring proper student training in equipment and safety practices. * Provide Leadership of DFPA Safety Program, working with Managing Director, Production Management, and faculty to develop and implement company safety guidelines and regulations/ * Develop and oversee regulations in training, equipment, recordkeeping, and incident reporting for the department. * Establish appropriate safety and operational policies in collaboration with faculty and Managing Director for performance venues and scenic shop * Develop and regularly review job descriptions for all positions that report to the Scenic Shop. * Develop scenic shop and technical theatre policies and manuals to be distributed to students, faculty, and employees of the scenic shop.

Evening and weekend work hours in support of departmental productions. Secondary Responsibilities In collaboration with the Managing Director, schedule, manage and oversee all technical elements for external events held in the theatre. Depending on expertise and student interest may teach additional courses in theatre technology for additional compensation or when needed design mainstage or second stage productions.

Serve as a resource to the Department on Technical Theatre Potential to collaborate on Music Concerts, Gallery Exhibitions when scenic elements are involved. Potential to serve as ambassador of DFPA in matters that relate to theatre facilities. Coordination with campus agents in Housekeeping, Facilities, and campus safety as it relates to the management of scenic shop and theatre venues. Other duties that may be required by the Managing Director or the Chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts Working Conditions * Irregular hours- weekends and nights as needed * Use of power tools * Lifting large and heavy objects and scenic elements * Climbing ladders and scaffolding * Climbing into and bending down in the grid * Frequency Standing * Loud Environment / Dust * Use of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) required

Minimum Education and/or Work Experience

Bachelor's degree in related field required; master's degree strongly preferred. Two to three years of experience administering or coordinating academic programs.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities The ideal candidate is one that is well-rounded, safety-oriented, highly motivated, with the ability to be a calming rational presence with a wide range of personalities. Someone who has an ardent desire to mentor undergraduates in a liberal arts environment and can manage multiple tasks and numerous projects within a fast paced, deadline driven environment. We are looking for candidates that have excellent skills in managing people and time, with an enthusiasm for teaching and collaboration, someone that can quickly analyze problems and present creative solutions within artistic and financial parameters. Exceptional communication skills, welding, rigging, carpentry, and budget estimating skills are expected. Additional experience with electrics, sound, paints, properties and maintaining facilities will enhance application. Demonstrated skill in Best Safety Practices, Carpentry, Welding, Rigging, Basic Electronics, Tool Maintenance, Managing Supplies, Production Planning and Maintaining Budgets are expected to be a part of the candidate's abilities. Advanced knowledge of theatrical construction techniques (carpentry and metalworking) and properties construction required.

Education and/or Experience

Master's degree or M.F.A. in Technical Theatre or related field strongly preferred.

Bachelor's Degree in Technical Theatre plus substantial professional experience (at least 5 years' experience) in production as technical director, with an academic or professional producing venue may be considered. Previous teaching, scene shop supervision, and technical direction experience preferred

Must be fluent in AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks Ability to work on a deadline and in accordance with a production calendar

Certificates/Credentials/Licenses

none

Computer Skills

Proficient computer skills, ability to use MS office suite.

Must be fluent in AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks

Supervisory Responsibilities

Yes

Required operation of university owned vehicles

Yes

Does this position require direct animal or patient contact?

No

Physical Demands

Lifting, Carrying, Standing, Climbing, Crawling/Kneeling, Repetitive Motions

Working Conditions

Ventilation, Odors, Noise, Heights, Irregular Hours

Open Date

06/24/2024

Close Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

As one of the nation's largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, Loyola University Chicago fosters a transformative cultural experience that honors diversity, equity, and inclusion . We are committed to not only recruiting, but also retaining a diverse, mission driven workforce and enabling a culture of inclusiveness in an environment that values service excellence, stewardship, personal well-being, and professional development for all of our employees. Loyola University Chicago supports its staff and faculty with a wide array of affordable, comprehensive and competitive benefits centered on health and wellness, financial security, equity, and work-life balance. We actively seek those who wish to join our faculty, staff, and students in a community of diverse opinions, perspectives, and backgrounds supporting our Jesuit mission and striving toward the same goal of being persons for and with others.

Quick Link for Posting

https://www.careers.luc.edu/postings/28452

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