Lighting Shop Manager & Designer

Shenandoah University•Winchester, VA

8d•$45,000 - $46,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Shenandoah Conservatory is seeking applications for a highly qualified candidate to join our team as the Lighting Shop Manager & Designer. This is a full-time, benefited position located on our main campus in Winchester, VA. Reporting to Shenandoah Conservatory’s Executive Director for Performances and Engagement, and in coordination with Theatre Division faculty, the Lighting Shop Manager & Designer supports the general operation and production needs of the Conservatory, with a specialized focus on the lighting design and production needs of the Theatre Division, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT), as well as guest artist performances and other university events, as needed. In addition to managing the lighting shop and inventory in the theatre facilities, this position serves as a lighting designer for select performances; works in consultation with Executive Director and Theatre Division faculty, to assign designers, electricians, and light board operators to performances and events; mentors student lighting designers; supervises and supports the lighting design team during technical rehearsals and performances as needed; trains and supervises work study students.

Requirements

Highly qualified candidate
Lighting design and production needs of the Theatre Division, Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT), as well as guest artist performances and other university events
Managing the lighting shop and inventory in the theatre facilities
Serves as a lighting designer for select performances
Works in consultation with Executive Director and Theatre Division faculty, to assign designers, electricians, and light board operators to performances and events
Mentors student lighting designers
Supervises and supports the lighting design team during technical rehearsals and performances as needed
Trains and supervises work study students
Train, schedule and supervise work-study students and seasonal staff
Manage and mentor students completing lab hours for academic credit in the lighting shop, ensuring that they receive necessary training and mentorship and that they complete required hours for credit
Establish and schedule lighting shop hours; maintain a consistent presence in the shop to supervise students and ensure safe practices
Manage and maintain lighting shop tools, equipment and organization; restock shop supplies on a regular basis; maintain and track shop budget in coordination with the lighting design faculty
Ensure a safe working environment in the lighting shop and in all Theatre Department instructional laboratory facilities and performance spaces
Collaborate with faculty, guest artists, designers, and students to provide lighting and staffing support for productions and events held in theatre facilities during the academic year
Serve as Production Electrician for three productions during the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT) summer season
Work with designers to implement designs
Hire, train, and supervise seasonal lighting staff
Oversee safe and effective use of equipment and resources
Troubleshoot issues as they arise
Assist/advise the production and creative team as needed
Serve as the Lighting Designer and/or act as a mentor for students in design or technical positions for up to two Theatre Department productions per academic year
Provide the guidance, support and structure that students need for their design and/or production work
Assist as needed during the hang, focus, tech week and strike
Draft lighting plots and prepare cue sheets and/or oversee student designers as needed
Serve as the Lighting Designer for the annual Holiday Gala
Communicate with internal and external stakeholders to effectively coordinate lighting and staffing needs
Schedule and prepare resources and personnel to run events
Prepare and edit production paperwork and drafting
Attend and actively participate in production meetings

Nice To Haves

Separately contracted, as needed, for adjunct teaching responsibilities in theatre production.

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage year-round lighting shop operations, which supports productions by the Conservatory’s academic departments and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT), as well as special university events and guest artist performances
Train, schedule and supervise work-study students and seasonal staff
Manage and mentor students completing lab hours for academic credit in the lighting shop, ensuring that they receive necessary training and mentorship and that they complete required hours for credit
Establish and schedule lighting shop hours; maintain a consistent presence in the shop to supervise students and ensure safe practices
Manage and maintain lighting shop tools, equipment and organization; restock shop supplies on a regular basis; maintain and track shop budget in coordination with the lighting design faculty
Ensure a safe working environment in the lighting shop and in all Theatre Department instructional laboratory facilities and performance spaces
Collaborate with faculty, guest artists, designers, and students to provide lighting and staffing support for productions and events held in theatre facilities during the academic year, including serving as Production Electrician or mentor on the following productions: Six theatre productions (three musicals, two plays and one opera), One annual Holiday Gala, One annual Conservatory Convocation, Guest Artist productions as needed (one to two per academic year), Additional university events, including those hosted by Admissions, Advancement/President’s Office, and graduations and ceremonies
Serve as Production Electrician for three productions during the Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre (SSMT) summer season — working with designers to implement designs; hiring, training, and supervising seasonal lighting staff; overseeing safe and effective use of equipment and resources; troubleshooting issues as they arise; and assisting/advising the production and creative team as needed
Serve as the Lighting Designer and/or act as a mentor for students in design or technical positions for up to two Theatre Department productions per academic year, providing the guidance, support and structure that students need for their design and/or production work, as well as assisting as needed during the hang, focus, tech week and strike
Draft lighting plots and prepare cue sheets and/or oversee student designers as needed
Serve as the Lighting Designer for the annual Holiday Gala
Assist lighting design faculty and other production staff in the management of office operations including: Communicate with internal and external stakeholders to effectively coordinate lighting and staffing needs, Schedule and prepare resources and personnel to run events, Prepare and edit production paperwork and drafting, Attend and actively participate in production meetings