Head Properties, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER • Los Angeles, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Music Center, Los Angeles County’s premier performing arts center, is seeking an experienced highly resourceful team player and production professional with strong project leadership skills to join the TMC Ops Production team. This individual helps facilitate and execute capital improvement projects, theatrical system maintenance and repairs, and productions. The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident of Los Angeles County. The non-profit performing arts organization has two divisions: TMC Arts and TMC Ops. TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine, provides year-round programming throughout the campus including The Music Center’s four theatres, Jerry Moss Plaza, Grand Park, and in schools and other locations all over Los Angeles County. TMC Ops manages and maintains the infrastructure and systems that serve the theatres, Jerry Moss Plaza, and Grand Park on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. The Music Center is also home to four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and LA Phil.

Requirements

• Strong technical knowledge and skilled experience with building, repairing, and maintaining various types of props for theatrical productions.
• Strong craft skills in the following areas: woodworking, metalworking, sewing, furniture finishing, upholstery, electronics, plastics, casting, and molding. Experience installing, repairing, and maintaining floors (carpet\wood\tile\manufactured\sprung\marley\etc.).
• Attention to detail; ability to apply aesthetic considerations to prop design and production.
• Experience inventorying, tracking, purchasing, preparing, packing, and unpacking all types of properties.
• Experience setting a pit orchestra and familiarity with instruments and interfacing directly with instrumentalists.
• Clear and effective communicator, both written and verbal.
• The ability to read, evaluate, and implement designs from Cad drawings and prints required.
• The ability to work collaboratively with a team and work with a variety of personalities.
• Working knowledge and comfort with Microsoft Office, especially Outlook and Excel. Proficiency in communicating via e-mail and phone.
• Demonstrated proficiency coordinating multiple parts of a production, establishing priorities, and following through on production timelines.
• Ability to remain calm and productive in stressful situations demonstrating excellent communication skills.
• Previous experience of five years or more as a Head Prop person or Assistant Head Prop person in legitimate theater productions or a legitimate theatrical venue.
• The physical ability to lift heavy objects such as stage furniture in a range of physical positions. Able to lift 50 lbs. or more occasionally and 25 lbs. frequently.
• The ability to work a very flexible schedule with extreme hours at times.
• Previous experience with firearms use in the entertainment industry.
• Must be eligible to qualify for a California Entertainment Firearms Permit.
• Membership in I.A.T.S.E. Local 33 (membership is required upon employment).
• License in forklift and motorized cart operation (company will provide training).

Nice To Haves

• The company will provide for licensing and certification.
• The company will provide training.

Responsibilities

• Perform and/or supervise all accountabilities of the Property Department for fully produced and presented shows.
• Represent The Los Angeles Opera Company (LAO) and the Music Center (TMC) to Designers, visiting crews, and management by creating a cordial, cooperative, and welcoming workplace. Model and support the mission and values of LAO and TMC.
• Supervise and lead the Property crew members, referred by the I.A.T.S.E. call board, during load-ins, technical rehearsals, runs and load-outs; as well as the setup, operation, run, maintenance and repairs of all props for all productions. Implement production and design needs of the Property Department as directed by the design teams, management, and clients. Crew sizes range from zero to 6 or more.
• Work collaboratively with all stakeholders to complete the Prop department’s accountabilities including production notes and creative problem solving.
• Work with the Visiting Head Properties or production staff to load-in, run, maintain, repair, track, inventory and load-out all prop elements of all productions.
• Communicate with Production Staff to answer their technical questions and coordinate crew calls. Be available for advanced walk-throughs and site surveys.
• Handle, prepare and cleanup food used on stage, ensuring a high standard of food safety and cleanliness to protect the health and welfare of the performers.
• Attend production meetings and notes sessions as requested by management.
• Submit crew calls to union hall on a daily basis and on-time.
• Process the Property Department payroll on a weekly or daily basis.
• Act as Production Property Supervisor when requested to do so by TMC or LAO.
• Work collaboratively with all stakeholders to manage crew calls and schedule workdays efficiently to stay within production budgets.
• Maintain a safe working environment in the context of the production’s design, alert Management of any personnel, technical, or safety issues which arise at any time & ensure that proper safety procedures are adhered to.
• All employees are expected to adhere to all published company polices for both The Los Angeles Opera Company and The Music Center.
• Recommend and evaluate practices, policies, and equipment and make recommendations regarding equipment usage and purchases.
• Request qualified assistants from the Union Hall at management’s discretion.
• Maintain theater stock of property supplies and expendables.
• Other duties may be assigned with in the Terms and Conditions of the collective barging agreement.
• Employees are expected to be flexible and responsive to changes in the scope of their duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed