What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Technical Director position at Guthrie Theater?
Associate Technical Director
Reports to: Technical Director
Compensation: $70,329 annually plus benefits
THE ORGANIZATION
The Guthrie Theater engages exceptional theater artists in the exploration of both classic and contemporary plays connecting the community we serve to one another and to the world. Through its extraordinary artists, staff and facility, the Guthrie is committed to the people of Minnesota, and from its place, rooted deeply in the Twin Cities, influences the field as a leading 21st century arts organization.
Every year more than 500 people, both on stage and off, help ensure our success in creating and supporting the highest level of theater. As an organization, we are committed to our values of Artistic Excellence; Community; Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Guthrie Theater would like to acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the Dakota People and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations, including the Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations.
THE POSITION
The Associate Technical Director (Associate TD), in collaboration with the Technical Director (TD), is responsible for the preparation and organization of technical information to ensure the safe and efficient construction of all shows within our season, across three venues. As technical design lead, the Associate TD works collaboratively with the design team and oversees drafting, engineering, and construction of scenic elements, including producing AutoCAD drawings. Working with the Assistant TD and Scene Shop Supervisor, this position oversees the daily operations of the Scene Shop and holds the primary responsibility for managing Scene Shop employees. All employees are expected to center, model and champion the Guthrie’s core values of Artistic Excellence; Community; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility.
This position is full-time, exempt and benefits-eligible. Compensation for this position is $70,329 annually plus benefits. The schedule for this role will vary based on the dynamic schedule of a theater including nights and weekends. The typical Scene shop operating hours are 7:00AM-3:30PM Monday through Friday. The Associate TD also attends evening and weekend technical rehearsals as assigned.
The Guthrie is dedicated to building an equitable environment that is mixed across lines of difference and strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, women, transgender, and non-binary candidates. This position will remain open until filled and until a diverse and qualified pool of candidates is identified. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Designer Collaboration and Support
- Provide oversight of all productions and act as the primary point of contact on assigned productions.
- Collaborate with the design team and other production departments to establish methods for the design and construction of scenery, as well as other technical elements of productions.
- Act as a Scene Shop liaison on interdepartmental projects.
- Consult with designers and production department members on any issues that arise during the production process which pertain to the build, installation, and strike of the scenery.
- Attend weekly Production Meetings and share pertinent information with shop employees.
- Coordinate coverage for Technical Notes Sessions during technical rehearsals and preview periods.
2. Scenery Construction/Install Process
- Prepare, organize, and communicate relevant technical information to shop employees and other departments so that the productions can be built, installed, and struck in a timely, safe, and resource efficient manner.
- Proactively plan and foster communication on upcoming shows across all departments.
- Review/revise budget estimates for each production by tracking all relevant information through the rehearsal reports and ensuring these requests match the allocated budget and resource, as given by the Director of Production.
- Prepare a shop build, load-in, and strike schedule for each production based on the available staff labor and the calendar issued by the Production Manager.
- Monitor and oversee the progress of technical drawings for all scenic elements based on the designer drawings so they can be built by the Scene Shop staff or vendors.
- Collaborate with the Assistant TD, Scene Shop Supervisor, and Shopper/Buyer daily to monitor project progress, equipment, materials, and staffing needs.
- Determine shop supply needs and purchases.
- Maintain communication with the designers to ensure that appropriate members of the production team are notified of any changes to the design.
3. Supervision and Leadership
- Supervise, manage and support the Assistant TD, Scene Shop Supervisor, Shopper/Buyer, Production Carpenter, Carpenters, and Overhire personnel in the Scene Shop to promote a safe, healthy, and productive working environment.
- Actively participate in team building, fostering a work environment incorporating the Guthrie values of Artistic Excellence, Community, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, and Fiscal Responsibility.
- Advise the TD on hiring full-time staff members and schedule overhires when needed.
- Run shop meetings to pass pertinent information along to the Scene Shop employees.
- Coach and develop staff members by monitoring the quality of employees' work and providing constructive feedback; facilitating conflict resolution among employees; ensuring adherence to legal and organizational policies and procedures and undertaking disciplinary actions if the need arises.
- Conduct Monthly Check-in meetings with shop employees.
- In collaboration with the TD, complete annual Scene Shop employee performance evaluations.
- Organize and run show debrief meetings with the Assistant TD following the opening of each production.
- Maintain timesheets, PTO requests, and other personnel records.
4. Administration and Shop Maintenance
- In coordination with the TD, project expenses for each production. Track and manage expenses on a per-show basis.
- Maintain and ensure all relevant show files are up to date and archived appropriately.
- In collaboration with the Assistant TD and Scene Shop Supervisor, organize and prepare information for daily Scene Shop operations.
- Collaborate with the TD regarding workflow and projects assigned to Assistant TD.
- Take an active role in ensuring production-controlled areas of performance venues are maintained and clean.
- Collaborate with Shopper/Buyer to ensure materials are purchased in a timely and resource efficient manner, and correctly allocated to various budgets.
- Work with the appropriate parties to ensure safety of automation and scenic systems. Advise and recommend methods to improve work practices across all production areas.
- Work with the TD and Production Department Heads to research and prepare requests for capital improvements.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated leadership experience in theater or commercial scenery production, or a combination of equivalent experience and training. Formal, informal and cross-disciplinary experiences will be considered.
- Expert level theatrical engineering design using a wide variety of construction materials and methods.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD is a must; 3D experience preferred.
- Advanced knowledge in theatrical rigging practices and counterweight rigging systems.
- Experience with hydraulics, pneumatics, and theatrical automation – Creative Conners and Hudson DWU knowledge a plus.
- Skills in carpentry, welding, rigging, and sewing to draw upon when engineering technical designs.
- Skill in word processing, spreadsheets, and online collaboration tools for information preparation, organization, and communication.
- Experience in preparing budgets, labor estimates, build calendars, and staffing.
- Project management skills to oversee multiple projects in various stages of design or build.
- Can lead and/or supervise crews to keep the flow of work moving forward at an efficient rate.
- Can effectively communicate both verbally and in writing, with a wide variety of collaborators from differing backgrounds.
- Capability to research an unknown process or material so it may be applied to a technical solution for a scenic element.
- Ability to spend approximately 50% of time on the computer or engaged in other tasks involving repetitive motion.
- Can adapt to new situations and shifting priorities, while quickly solving problems that may arise to get work done.
- Must be willing and able to work flexible hours/days, including evenings and weekends, reflective of the dynamic schedule of the theater.
- Experience, ability, and commitment to working with individuals and teams that are mixed across lines of difference such as race, gender-identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class and immigrant status.
THE LOCATION
The Guthrie Theater is located in the historic Mill District along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As the largest city in the state, Minneapolis offers a large variety of parks, lakes, great food, festivals, malls and more.
WHY SHOULD I APPLY?
Be a part of a leading non-profit organization that is committed to serving not only the local Twin Cities community but the industry as a whole. In addition to a competitive salary, the Guthrie offers top-notch employee benefits and staff perks.
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Competitive Benefits
Health Insurance
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account (medical and dependent care)
Dental & Vision
Life Insurance and AD&D
Long Term Disability
Short Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program
403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match up to 4.5% after one year of employment
Paid Time Off
Transportation
Subsidized passes for Metro Transit buses and trains
Discounted pre-tax monthly ramp parking
Discounted bike locker rental
Discounted Nice Ride annual membership |
Complimentary Tickets
To Guthrie productions Discounted Tickets
To all shows produced by the Guthrie
To some performances hosted by the Guthrie
Classes and Camps
Discounts to Guthrie classes and camps
Other Employee Perks
Wellness Program
Guthrie Store discount
Affinity Groups
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A NOTE FROM HUMAN RESOURCES
For the safety of our guests and staff, the Guthrie Theater requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Documentation of vaccination status must be provided if an offer of employment is made.
Applicants must submit a resume to be considered for the position.
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