Technical Director & Production Manager

Worcester Center for Performing Arts Inc•Worcester, MA

1d•$68,000 - $75,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Director & Production Manager provides technical direction and production management for original and self-produced productions presented by The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory, including productions at the BrickBox Theater, on the Main Stage, and at other assigned performance locations. The role leads technical planning and execution from preproduction through strike, translating artistic concepts into safe, practical plans and coordinating schedules, budgets, designers, crews, vendors, and technical systems. The position also collaborates with fellow Production Managers on Main Stage touring and presented engagements, contributing technical expertise and coordinating assigned load-in, technical preparation, changeover, and load-out responsibilities. The employee works independently within delegated authority and collaborates with the Head of Production, Programming, THT Rep, Conservatory, stage management, designers, visiting companies, and union and nonunion crews. This is a full-time, exempt, on-site role. It requires evening, weekend, and occasional holiday work aligned with production schedules. The role supervises assigned union and nonunion crews, over-hire personnel, and contractors during designated productions; it has no standing direct reports unless assigned.

Requirements

Five or more years of progressively responsible professional technical theatre experience, including demonstrated technical direction and production coordination or management for staged work; equivalent combinations of education and experience are considered.
Demonstrated hands-on technical leadership across different performance venues, including adaptable black box spaces and larger proscenium or presenting-house environments.
Experience delivering original productions from planning through strike.
Deep practical knowledge of theatrical lighting control and distribution, audio systems, projection and video, scenic construction, rigging, and stage operations, with ability to diagnose problems without routine supervision.
Strong independent judgment, organization, written documentation, budget tracking, vendor coordination, and calm decision-making under live-show pressure.
Ability to balance simultaneous productions and communicate effectively with designers, artists, students, technical specialists, and union crews.
Commitment to respectful collaboration, accessibility, organizational values, and high-quality audience experiences.
Ability to work on site, including evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays according to production schedules.
Ability to work around ladders, approved lifts, backstage and catwalk areas, variable lighting, noise, and hand and power tools, with appropriate training and safeguards.
Ability to move equipment and scenery, including lifting up to 50 pounds when safely appropriate; team lifts or mechanical assistance are used when needed.
Essential functions must be performable with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with production planning tools; familiarity with ETC Eos, DMX/networked lighting, and digital audio systems is strongly preferred.
Experience with professional producing theatre, original works, Main Stage load-ins, visiting touring productions, and union environments is strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in technical theatre, theatre production, or a related field is preferred but not required when equivalent experience is demonstrated.

Responsibilities

Serve as technical lead for assigned original and self-produced productions across the BrickBox Theater, Main Stage, and other designated locations; assess venue readiness, technical feasibility, equipment, staffing, and production needs.
Assess and operate lighting, sound, video and projection, theatrical electrical distribution, scenic systems, stage machinery, and applicable rigging within training, certification, and approved safety limits.
Interpret design drawings, riders, specifications, technical drawings, cue and system documentation, equipment lists, and implementation plans.
Advance technical requirements with directors, designers, visiting artists, and venue partners; assess feasibility, labor, equipment, schedules, and costs; identify conflicts and escalate material risks.
Participate in scenic builds, installations, load-ins, technical rehearsals, performances, changeovers, strikes, and load-outs; arrange qualified specialists when needed.
Serve as Production Manager for original and self-produced works across THT Rep, the Conservatory, and other Hanover programming.
Own schedules, milestones, design and technical meetings, labor plans, budgets, rehearsals, technical periods, load-ins, performance support, strikes, and closeout for assigned original productions.
Coordinate design and production departments, stage management, contractors, and vendors; document decisions, owners, dependencies, and changes.
Prepare technical cost estimates; track approved budgets, purchase orders, rentals, invoices, and labor utilization; report variances and propose solutions before authorization is exceeded.
Maintain production files, risk assessments, run-of-show and handoff documentation; lead postproduction technical debriefs and record lessons learned.
Collaborate with fellow Production Managers on touring and presented Main Stage engagements, supporting pre-arrival preparation, equipment and stage readiness, load-ins, changeovers, rehearsals, and load-outs.
Work with the Production Manager assigned to each engagement, house technical personnel, visiting production representatives, IATSE crews, and vendors to resolve technical requirements, troubleshoot, and maintain safe and efficient operations.
Carry out responsibilities assigned by the Head of Production in coordination with fellow Production Managers; retain accountability for designated engagements as defined by the production-management structure.
Plan, oversee, and participate in scenic fabrication, installation, and maintenance; manage shop tools, materials, and inventory.
Ensure technical elements are structurally sound and appropriately reviewed; obtain qualified rigging, electrical, or engineering support when needed.
Direct assigned union and nonunion crews for original productions in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements and established reporting relationships; coordinate work calls, technical handoffs, and readiness meetings.
Coach assigned personnel and students on safe practices and equipment use; coordinate with stage management and other production leads.
Maintain safe stages, shops, and backstage workspaces; enforce applicable PPE, fall protection, ladder and lift, electrical, fire, rigging, and emergency protocols.
Coordinate annual inspections and required certifications with Production leadership and qualified vendors; document findings, corrective actions, and equipment removed from service.
Maintain preventive maintenance schedules, service logs, equipment inventories, inspection records, and repair priorities for assigned theatrical equipment and systems across Hanover venues.
Recommend capital replacements and upgrades with cost, safety, and operational justification; coordinate building-related work with Facilities.
Follow applicable collective bargaining agreements, safety requirements, and internal purchasing approvals; refer contract interpretation or labor disputes to designated leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned and adhere to organizational values, rules, and regulations for the safe and efficient operation of all spaces.