Technical Director

About us

Garden Theatre, a nonprofit arts organization located in the heart of historic downtown Winter Garden, FL, seeks a Technical Director to support the organization’s goal. The Technical Director has the daily responsibility for the technical operations of the theatre, including lighting, sound, set design and construction, and coordinating necessary maintenance. Reporting to the Producing Creative Director, and working closely with a collaborative group of administrators, educators, patron services, production and creative team members, the Technical Director will serve as a leader in the organization and must lead by example.

Located in the heart of historic downtown Winter Garden on Plant Street, Garden Theatre is a nonprofit organization committed to providing programming from the spectrum of the arts to engage, entertain, educate, and inspire all who experience it. Originally built in 1935 as a single-screen cinema, Garden Theatre was restored and reopened in 2008, keeping the Mediterranean Revival style, modeled after a Spanish courtyard with “Romeo and Juliet” balconies and a dark blue ceiling resplendent with stars. Garden Theatre hosts live plays, concerts, movies, and more to the residents of and visitors to the city of Winter Garden.

The ideal candidate will have 3 - 5 years of experience as a Technical Director; managing budgets; experience as a supervisor; organized and goal oriented; awareness of the Central Florida theater community; familiarity with Garden Theatre’s mission, history and programming; and excellent interpersonal skills. Technical awareness of design, build and fabrication with design and systems awareness is preferred.

Key responsibilities include:

• Operate, maintain and safeguard the technical assets of the theatre, including lighting, sound, communications equipment, and stage facilities;
• Determine the technical labor needs, such as lighting, sound, staging, and special needs, necessary for events and performances presented at the facility in advance of production dates;
• Working with the Production Manager, and based on submitted scenic designs, provide estimates for required set materials, labor costs, and timeline for each production in order to assess feasibility and to maximize available resources. He or she will analyze each scenic design to identify potential problem areas and assist the production team in finding solutions as needed;
• Oversee the design; set up, maintain, and operate lighting and sound systems for theatre, dance, music, and other productions and projects; assist guest designers and artists with technical matters;
• Work with the Production Manager in developing effective deadlines and schedules for technical aspects of each production;
• Ensure that goals, schedules and quality standards are being met in the technical departments and report to the Production Manager the status of each production;
• Monitor technical area expenses to ensure that each production stays within budget;
• Keep an accurate inventory of set pieces, furniture, props, lighting, audio, mechanical, and costumes at the theatre’s facilities;
• Maintain tools and hardware supplies through preventative maintenance, and arrange for repairs and replacement within budgetary constraints;
• Work closely with the Production Manager to plan budgets for all scenic needs; to purchase all materials for the scenery;
• In consultation with appropriate designers, develop detailed schedules for scenic build, paint, light hang, light focus, sound system install, load-in/out, and any other technical activities;
• Confirm that each member of the technical personnel is paid on time according to their contract;
• Make sure scenic design meets all applicable Life Safety, Building, and Fire Codes.;
• Plan, staff, and supervise load-in procedures for all productions and events;
• Plan, staff, and supervise strikes after productions and events to ensure orderly and safe tear down, demolition, and/or storage of all technical elements and equipment;
• Produce technical drawings as needed and meet with designers to clarify, modify, and execute plans;
• Supervise all aspects of the building of the scenery, and keep in communication with the scenic designer about the progress;
• Keep in communication with stage managers about ongoing rehearsal needs and continuing changes to the scenic needs;
• Attend production meetings and be prepared to discuss progress on all technical elements;
• Advise Production Manager, Artistic Director, and production designers on the technical specifications, costs, and usage of technical equipment required for the individual show;
• Assist in recruiting, training, and assignment of volunteer or paid technical staff for individual shows;
• Ensure that onstage rigging is safe and fits the design concept – either through personal expertise or the hiring of a qualified rigger;
• Provide safety meetings and training for theatre staff, production teams, and actors when recommended or required; and
• Train stage management teams and production crew members on operating stage equipment, scenic pieces, and other elements on and off stage safely.

Qualifications & Capabilities

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or professional equivalent (required);
• Master’s Degree in relevant field (preferred);
• 3-5 years of experience as a Technical Director;
• Thorough knowledge of all areas of theatrical productions, particularly technical design and technology;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and work within approved budget;
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Applications;
• Ability to read, interpret, modify, create various technical drawings, plots, and plans required to realize scenic, sound, and lighting designs (AutoCAD, VectorWorks, etc.);
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner and gather/analyze information skillfully;
• Ability to work well in group problem-solving situations;
• Ability to work under pressure on many projects and work with people of varying experience levels; and
• Strong verbal and written communication, diplomatic and leadership skills.
• Experience in not-for-profit theatre (preferred).

Garden Theatre is committed to acknowledging, addressing, and dismantling harmful practices which impede progress. We are actively seeking a diverse pool of candidates and we welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or ancestry. The Garden Theatre is an equal opportunity employer, committed to telling diverse stories and to fostering an inclusive environment both onstage and off.

The Garden Theatre does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,000.00 - $46,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Winter Garden, FL 34787: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $42,000 - $46,000