Stage Technician 2

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Meany Center for the Performing Arts has an outstanding opportunity for a Lead Stage Technician (Stage Technician 2) to join their team. Reporting to the Technical Director, the Studio Theatre Lead Stage Technician (Stage Technician 2) is responsible for supporting the productions and events held in the Studio Theatre at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts. The position is the primary technician for this space and the production point-person for UW academic partners on stage, including the School of Drama, the School of Music, the Department of Dance and DXARTS. The scope of the work that the Studio Theatre Lead Stage Technician performs is broad and ranges from system maintenance, performance prep, load-in / focus, rehearsals, performances, and general administration. The position requires general knowledge of black box theater systems, theatrical practices and techniques, and expertise in some or all areas of theatrical stagecraft. This position is part of a larger production team at the Meany Center, including Technical Director and three permanent stage technicians in the Mainstage Theater. Almost all work is performed at the Studio Theatre at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts, with limited opportunities for remote administrative work. Regular night and weekend work required. Shifts can vary by week, based on performance schedules.

Requirements

Minimum two years of experience working as a Stage Technician 1 in a performing arts facility, or equivalent education/experience.
Experience must include show prep run of show experience, and leading stage crews.
Experience operating, maintaining and repairing stage and shop equipment, and systems.
Must have knowledge of typical theatrical systems including lighting and sound.
Must have knowledge in some or all areas of theatrical stage management, rigging, video recording, video projection, and stage carpentry.
Ability to work on evenings and weekends during event runs and with changing weekly schedules based on event timings.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with multiple users sharing a theater space including the ability to be receptive and attentive to widely varying production goals.
Ability to read and follow stage plans and light plots.
Microsoft Office software.
Effective communication skills – both written and verbal – and strong organizational skills.
Experience within academic and bureaucratic institutions and working with a diverse range of clients, performers, and production personnel.
High attention to detail and the ability to work independently.
A record of good judgement and calm level thinking in a performance environment, and the ability to be agile in response to change.
Proven ability to think creatively to solve problems, and a successful history of managing crews.
Experience working as a technician in an educational environment with student performers and varied pedagogical and performance goals.
Experience supervising and working with student interns and apprentices as crew members, including experience teaching basic stagecraft skills to students.

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead on-site technician during all Studio Theatre performances.
Act as the liaison between academic partners and artists and Meany Center as a venue, including Front of House and other venue departments.
Support academic department production managers in the guidance and backstage leadership of their student crews during technical rehearsals and performances.
Work with other department production teams to facilitate show related needs and ensure smooth and safe operation of all technical systems.
Confirm and manage performance schedules and expectations with the Meany Center Technical Director.
Perform routine maintenance, make repairs, and specify upgrades.
Plan replacements and make purchases of theatrical supplies and systems with the Technical Director and departmental production team.
Assist in the maintenance of lighting, sound, video, and building specific systems.
Acquire expert knowledge and stay current with the latest technologies for these systems.
Work with academic partners to support stage preparations.
Assist departmental staff in load-in and load-out.
Work with the Technical Director and other dept heads to establish production run and day of timelines, goals and expectations to allocate resources and labor for success.
Evaluate progress and make adjustments to stay on track.
Track purchases and reconcile spending as per dept policies.
Perform other administrative duties as needed.
Assist with stage activity as a crew member for the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater.