Technical Director

Towson University’s Department of Theatre Arts is accepting applications for a Technical Director. This position is responsible for the execution of production aspects of faculty, staff, guest artist, and student-directed departmental productions to ensure they are completed on time and within budget while following safety protocols. The training and supervision of students is also central to this position. Potential opportunities to design and teach are available. The Technical Director will report to the chair and work closely with the Director of Lighting / Assistant Technical Director and design faculty/staff. This is a twelve-month appointment.​​​​​​​

Responsibilities and Duties

-Ensure that production elements; including scenery, props, lighting, sound and video; are completed and installed to designer’s specifications and according to schedule for departmental productions.

• Supervise the scene shop, which includes work by students enrolled in THEA 494 Scenic Crew and student employees. Build all scenic elements, either by engaging directly in construction or through the supervision of students or assistant technical director.

-Adhere to all department schedules, budgets, and production requirements.

-Maintain the department production calendar in consultation with the chair.

-Budget production elements, produce technical drawings as needed, and purchase all materials for production elements and general shop supplies.

• Maintain safe working conditions and train students in safe practices.

-Mentor and supervise student properties manager in consultation with scenic designer.

-Attend production meetings, attend rehearsals and runs as necessary.

-Attend all technical and dress rehearsals and organize the operation of all production elements during technical rehearsals.

-Consult with the director as part of the production process.

-Oversee the strike of all production elements and recycling or storing of all production elements at the end of the run of the production.

-Purchase equipment for the scene shop in conjunction with the assistant technical director.

-Maintain and repair equipment in all production and support venues.

-Advise the chair and those faculty/staff in the design and production program of capital needs.

-Contribute technical and management expertise to the development of new initiatives to the department.

-Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications and Skills

Required:

-Master of Fine Arts degree in technical theatre or related field.

-At least 3 years of experience in theater production, which could include student employment and/or graduate assistantships.

-Knowledge of industry standards and safe practices. (OSHA 10 or willing to get certification within six months of employment.)

-An ideal candidate will share the department’s outlook of a student-centered community that supports kindness, collaboration, teaching, and engages in department’s ongoing commitment to create an equitable and inclusive environment.

-Duties include use of a university vehicle to transport materials. Valid
driver’s license is required.

-Knowledge of sound and projection equipment/methods.

Proficiency in the following preferred:

-CAD Drafting (both VectorWorks and AutoCAD preferred)

-Manual and Electronic/Motorized Rigging

-Welding (Flux, MIG, TIG, or Stick)

-CNC

-Steel and wood construction techniques and fabrications

-Equipment maintenance techniques and repair methods

-Working knowledge of computer operating systems and software related to theatre production (sound (Dante), lighting, projections, etc.)