Technical Director

Harvard University

30-May-2023
Technical Director
American Repertory Theater
59519BR

Job Summary

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University is a leader in the American theater, producing groundbreaking work in Cambridge and beyond. A.R.T. produces a mainstage subscription season, as well as additional artistic projects, which expand the boundaries of theater by transforming the ways in which work is developed, programmed, produced, and contextualized, always including the audience as a partner. A.R.T. produces a broad range of theatrical entertainment including new works, pre-Broadway premieres, co-productions and transfers, and international tours.
Through groundbreaking and transformational theatrical experiences, A.R.T. believes that theater has the power to heal and imagine collective pathways forward. A.R.T. affirms and celebrates a multitude of perspectives and experiences that reflect the diversity of our country and world and is dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability.

As the professional theater on the campus of Harvard University, A.R.T. is committed to the collaborative and creative exchange among a wide range of academic departments, institutions, students, and faculty members. A.R.T. plays a central role in Harvard’s undergraduate Theater, Dance & Media concentration and mentors students in the Harvard Radcliffe Dramatic Club at the Loeb Drama Center.

The Technical Director supervises a team of Associate/Assistant Technical Directors, Shop Purchaser, Scene Shop Supervisor, as well as full-time and part-time carpenters in the planning and execution of all aspects of scenery for A.R.T. productions. They ensure the successful interpretation, engineering, and realization of all scenic designs while balancing budget, time and labor requirements, and maintaining a safe working environment. Reporting to the Director of Production, they are also responsible for representing their department within the context of the Production Department, and by extension the larger A.R.T. community.

Position Description

Promote an inclusive and safe work environment:

• Foster a culture of community, anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and respect among staff and guest artists
• Foster a culture of safety, both psychological and physical, and ensure a safe work environment and practices

Support Artistic Vision and Goals:

• Uplifts the mission, vision, and values of A.R.T with staff and overhire
• Works with the scenery department to implement scenic designs

Staffing and Scheduling:

• Direct supervision of Associate TD’s, Scene Shop Supervisor, Charge Scenic Artist, and Purchaser, oversight of all shop staff
• Coordinate scenery department labor and onboarding

Budget Responsibilities:

• Creates scenery budget estimates and is responsible for all shop budget lines
• Submits updated budget reports and weekly payroll to Production Management

Production Responsibilities:

• Works with Designer to make design work effectively within theatre resources
• Drafts or assigns and approves drafting of each ART show
• Collaborates with other production departments on the rigging plot, and provides specifications on rigging methods to the Stage dept.
• In conjunction with Shop Managers, plans and oversees scenic load in and develops a calendar
• Attends rehearsals, tech rehearsals, and previews as necessary
• With other department heads, plans strike or load out and storage of closing shows
• Manages and finds outside projects when the calendar permits

Facilities, Equipment, Stock:

• Oversees organization of scenic storage
• Oversees the maintenance of shop equipment, coordinates maintenance of shop vehicles and facilities with Facilities Manager
• Training and Meetings:
• Manage or delegate training and meeting schedules for shop staff
• Attend training sessions and shop/company meetings as required
• Communication:
• Maintains clear and consistent communication with other production departments
• Distributes technical ground plans and sections
• Provides samples and photos as needed to designers and directors

Basic Qualifications

• Strong Knowledge of AutoCAD
• Strong Knowledge of engineering fundamentals and experience with their application to non-theoretical problems.
• Hands-on experience with the scenic automation
• Solid experience with safe, industry-standard rigging practices and hands-on experience building rigging systems. If not OSHA 30 certified, willingness to become so at A.R.T.’s expense upon hire
• Advanced knowledge of theatrical construction techniques, including carpentry, rigging, and metalworking (inc. MIG welding)
• The ability to create technical drawings, implement scenery fabrication, and apply arithmetic and geometry to everyday construction problem solving
• The ability to communicate with kindness and clarity, fostering teamwork and a collaborative environment
• Conflict resolution skills – diffusing tension, navigating difficult conversations, mediating resolutions
• Ability to adapt and quickly communicate changes

Additional Qualifications and Skills

:”
If you believe this is a role is one that you will be exited to work in, even if you do not have the following, we encourage you to apply

• Experience managing a theatrical shop floor environment.
• Class D driver’s license.
• Comfortable driving a 26′ truck.
• CNC router experience.

Working Conditions
The A.R.T. Scene Shop is located offsite, 2 miles from the theatre and 25 miles from the warehouse. It is a multistory building without an elevator, with work taking place on all levels.

The TD may be asked to carry materials up and down stairs, and use hand and stationary power tools A.R.T’s theater space is a multistory building without an elevator, with work taking place on all levels. The Technical Director may be asked to move scenery weighing upwards of 70 lbs and other materials to and from storage or around the building, as well as loading and unloading material from trucks and vans (both at a loading dock and from the street). They may also assist in the installation of rigging and loading of 40lb stage weights into counter-weight arbors. During loadin and strike, work may take place on ladders, genies, and the steel grating of the grid, 60′ above deck, which is accessed via a 78-step spiral staircase

This job requires the ability to stay in a stationary position for long periods of time occasionally, with periods of intense movement. Constant movement and use of limbs; position requires good manual dexterity, strength, coordination, and stamina.

This position will require teh ability to work a flexible schedule when needed, including, morning, evening and weekend hours.

This job works both indoors and outdoors depending on the weather Software Used: MS Office, Google Workspace, SharePoint, Slack, Zoom, Dropbox, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Harvard-specific payroll software
Additional Information
PLEASE NOTE: This position is on-site. This position has a 6-month Orientation and Review period.

Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage. Harvard University Health Services employees and other health care individuals are also required to be up to date on vaccination as described by the CDC. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Information Website.

Commitment to Equity and Anti-Racism

A.R.T. is centering on anti-racism as a core value, including in its policies, structure, programming, philanthropy, communications, pedagogy, and workplace culture. This journey will be sustained, ongoing, and foundational to the theater.

The A.R.T. strives to reflect and celebrate the diversity of Cambridge and Greater Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the United States, and the world in its programming, artists, audience, boards, partners, and staff. The A.R.T. is committed to developing and producing work and creating environments that embrace the full breadth and beauty of our shared humanity. The A.R.T. unequivocally opposes any attempts to divide its community through acts of discrimination, omission, and violence. The A.R.T. is dedicated to making a welcoming and accessible space for people of any identity, background, or ability, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, nationality or immigration status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical/mental ability, appearance, socio-economic status, education level, and political viewpoint.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

Job Function
Arts

Location
USA – MA – Cambridge

Department
Production/Scene Shop

Time Status
Full-time

Union
00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening
Education, Identity

Schedule
Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed, including mornings, evening and weekend hours.

Department Office Location
USA – MA – Cambridge

Work Format
On-Site

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Apply Here

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