Light Board Programmer

Berklee College of Music•Boston, MA

24d•$26 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

The Light Board Programmer at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BCB) provides critical expertise and support for BCB productions including musicals, operas, plays, etc. The Light Board Programmer serves as the primary controller of the lighting console in the technical rehearsal period, collaborating with professional designers and student workers to support the artistic vision of a production. Under the department of Performance Services, the Light Board Programmer reports to the Production Operations Manager and collaborates closely with the full production team, including guest directors, guest designers, and faculty of Theater, Dance, and Music divisions. Boston Conservatory students fulfill positions on productions in both curricular and professional capacities, and the Light Board Programmer will be expected to provide support to student board operators. This is a temporary part-time non-exempt position that is expected to work on five productions at 20-25 hours per production in the 2026-2027 academic year. Evening and weekend hours will be required. Please see the anticipated schedule below, which includes technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals. The schedule is subject to change, and partial availability will be considered.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Two or more years experience working as an electrician, light board programmer, light board operator, and/or lighting designer in a professional theater or other arts environment
Experience working with college students in a professional capacity
Working knowledge of standard theatrical practices and procedures
General knowledge of theater, musical theater, and/or opera production needs
Demonstrated experience in programming LED, conventional lighting systems, and moving lights
Demonstrated experience programming ETC EOS-family consoles in live theatre, opera, dance, or comparable production environments
Strong knowledge of programming workflows, including cueing, tracking, timing, palettes/presets, effects, magic sheets, show file organization, and troubleshooting
Ability to collaborate effectively with Lighting Designers, Assistant Lighting Designers, stage management, production teams, and artists to translate artistic direction into accurate, repeatable cues
Ability to read and interpret lighting plots, channel hookups, instrument schedules, Lightwright paperwork, and related production documentation
Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Suite and Dropbox for record-keeping and communications

Nice To Haves

A degree in Theater or related field is preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as primary controller of lighting console for technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and dark time/notes calls for BCB productions across Theater, Dance, and Music Divisions, with a focus on Mainstage Theater and Opera performances
Attend technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and dark time/notes calls to support the productions
Work directly with the Lighting Designer to write, revise and maintain cues throughout the technical rehearsal process, including the programming of moving lights, effects, chases, and other complex needs
Anticipate programming needs, troubleshoot issues quickly and help maintain forward momentum during fast-paced technical rehearsals
Communicate clearly with the Performance Services team about cue changes, system needs, maintenance notes, and production priorities
Ensure lighting console is maintained throughout technical process, including daily power cycling, minor maintenance, and trouble-shooting
Provide guidance and support for students filling production positions in curricular and professional capacities, including training on console start up, console shut down, and system trouble-shooting procedures