Lighting Tutor

• Start Date: 2 September 2024
• Employment Type: Full Time – Permanent

Scope of the Job

Responsible to: Programme Leader – Production Arts
Works Closely with: Associate Programme Leader, Carpentry Tutor, Costume Tutor, Scenic Paint Tutor, Sound Tutor, Stage Management Tutor, Video Tutor, Production Manager and Lighting, Sound & Video Technicians

The Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) invites applications for the faculty-level position of Lighting Tutor. This position contributes to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) programmes in Acting, Musical Theatre, Production Arts, and the Dance diploma to enhance students learning experience through providing expert guidance and instruction.

Job Purpose

Collaborate with the Programme Leader of Production Arts and other team members to develop and deliver undergraduate training and assessments in Lighting that meet globally leading industry standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Lighting Tutor is responsible for the following tasks:

•  Lead and train students in professional theatrical and live entertainment lighting techniques and relevant technologies.
•  Actively enhance the Academy’s standards by adopting innovative practices and technologies to ensure students are well-prepared for careers in the theatrical and live entertainment industry.
•  Ensure theatrical and live entertainment lighting training meets the latest industry standards through continuous industry engagement, staff development, and routine updates to the curriculum.
  Training and Tuition:
•  Develop and teach a lighting curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts Production Arts Programme.
•  Supervise and guide students in fulfilling lighting roles for on-campus productions and projects.
•  Assess students who are assigned lighting roles in productions and projects.
•  Collaborate with the Production Manager to coordinate internal technicians and external lighting professionals to ensure support for lighting needs of the Academy.
  Productions:
•  Liaise closely with other departments, especially those related to production.
•  Clearly communicate lighting specifications and separate production schedules to relevant departments to meet the Production Department’s resource, scheduling, and technical requirements.
•  Support the production arts team and perform additional technical duties as required.
  Finance:
•  Manage and reconcile spending for any assigned budgets.
•  Research and propose capital expenditures to reman current with industry developments.
  Health and Safety:
•  Understand and comply with current health and safety regulations relevant to the industry.
•  Engage in relevant health and safety training for teaching the use of lighting technology.
•  Ensure students and all personnel adhere to safe working practices and health and safety policies.

Additionally, the successful candidate will:

•  Demonstrate flexibility in adapting to and developing the requirements of the position.
•  Exhibit a collaborative spirit, effectively working with students, team members and concerned stakeholders.
•  Maintain a positive attitude, contributing to a constructive and encouraging teaching and working environment.
•  Demonstrate determination and persistence in overcoming challenges.
•  Manage specific tasks proactively and strategically in allocating resources to meet project deadlines and achieve organisational goals efficiently.
•  Effectively communicate and collaborate with faculty, staff, and students from diverse cultural and global majority backgrounds, demonstrating strong intercultural competence.
•  Must be willing to relocate to the United Arab Emirates.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

•  Proven and verifiable professional experience working in a relevant industry or education setting.
•  A degree-level qualification or significant equivalent experience demonstrated through industry or professional practice.
•  A strong background working as a lighting professional within the theatrical or live entertainment industry, specifically in a production setting.
•  Knowledge of current lighting consoles, networks, instruments, equipment, and emerging trends in theatre lighting technology.
•  Proficient in using industry-standard lighting software such as GrandMA, Previs, and Vectorworks (among others).

Desirable:

•  Postgraduate Degree qualification.
•  Teaching qualification.

Context

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is an independent Academy established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, to address a growing demand in the UAE and MENA region for formal education and quality professional training in the performing arts sector. SPAA is the only performing arts conservatoire in the Middle East and North Africa region, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programmes taught in English. The purpose-built Academy includes a 432-seat theatre, two fully equipped studio performance spaces, TV/recording studios, twelve sprung rehearsal studios, 12 singing tutorial spaces, resource library, gymnasium and cafe.

Sharjah Performing Arts Academy specialises in training graduates for work in the international professional performing arts industry. The SPAA faculty are highly experienced practitioners within their respective fields. The focus of the Academy is practical rather than academic. The Academy’s primary goal is to equip graduates with the highest level of practical skills in their field, along with the tools necessary for successfully creating their own work or practice.

Salaries and Benefits
Salaries in the UAE are tax-free and disbursed monthly in United Arab Emirates dirhams. Faculty members receive a competitive benefits package that includes: accommodation, private medical insurance, and a residency visa, which extends to cover dependent family members. The Academy will cover the cost of education expenses for eligible dependent children under the age of 18.

Employees and eligible dependents are entitled to an annual return ticket to their home country.

Additional Information

• The individual in this position is responsible for ensuring compliance with all SPAA policies and procedures, including the Workplace Health and Safety and Confidentiality policies.
• This position is full-time based at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, University City, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
• The Faculty Handbook is an important resource and sets out the expectations and conditions of employment. Prospective candidates for this position can request the Faculty Handbook, which will be sent to them via email.

How to Apply

Please forward a maximum two (2) page cover letter and current CV to careers@spaa.ae
Please place ‘Lighting Tutor 2024’ in the email subject line.
(Applicants should ensure that their cover letter explicitly discusses the required qualifications detailed in this job description for this position)

For any further information please email: careers@spaa.ae

Note: Candidates offered positions at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy are required to undergo a comprehensive background screening and police check, prior to finalising their employment.