Technical Director

Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) is hiring a Technical Director, which is a core part of the CPT staff who will make a meaningful contribution to life at CPT, and its success. CPT will be accepting applications for this position until the role is filled, with a start date goal between 10/1/22 and 11/15/22.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION 

CPT is hiring a Technical Director (TD). This role requires leadership and initiative; and reports to the Executive Artistic Director (EAD). This role participates in leading the theatre and supporting the EAD in strategy and decision-making.

The TD manages and implements all technical aspects of productions, except costumes, for CPT’s season, consisting of 6-12 full productions, 2-4 new work development series, 2 multi-site special events, and other artistic projects. CPT programs in two theatres, various onsite studios, and occasionally produces work offsite in nontraditional spaces. The TD will lead the building of this department, and will work with the EAD and the artistic department to grow capacity. For the 2022/2023 Season, the TD oversees and works with CPT’s Technical Associate and some over-hire technicians to implement all sets, lighting, video, and sound installations. The TD is responsible for oversight of CPT’s scene shop and technical equipment. The TD is also offered opportunities to work as a designer; and therefore, receives additional compensation for major projects. Candidates must have three years full-time technical theatre work experience (or equivalent as a freelancer) with excellent technical skills in the following areas:  sound technician, master electrician, and set construction. Expertise in some of the following skills is also a plus: sound design, lighting design/video design/implementation, and scenic design. The successful candidate will be collaborative, eager to learn new ways of working, service oriented, and highly self-motivated. CPT promotes a positive work environment and works to maintain a sustainable workload for technical staff and their teams.

Salary range is $48k to $60k, commensurate with experience.

CPT offers a benefits package that includes

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance,
• Short-term and long-term disability
• 29 days of Paid Time Off (including holidays).
• Free tickets to Pandemonium, CPT’s annual fundraiser.
• Reimbursements for tickets to other local theatres
• Participation in “First Fridays”, CPT’s lunch and learn mentorship program where staff members get to engage with staff members of all-levels to encourage advancement.
• An awe-inspiring view of Lake Erie from our rooftop deck!

CPT STAFF DESCRIPTION 

CPT cares passionately about reflecting our community and pursuing diversity at all levels of the organization. CPT has a strong team-work environment in which we have fun and love what we do. We value hard work, and strive to center courage, humanity, integrity, representation, respect, and JOY, “challenging each other to do and be our collective best.” CPT is an organically un-siloed organization; thus, cross-departmental work is a norm. Historically, a majority of plays produced at CPT are by BIPOC artists and women. In the past three years, CPT has undertaken work to accelerate and formalize its growth to becoming a fully anti-racist organization, engaging all staff, board and artists in that work. For applicants considering relocation to Cleveland: our city is an excellent community to live in with top-notch arts and culture, a vibrant theatre scene, beautiful public parks, a great lake, great cuisine, and affordable housing

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Implementation of Technical Aspects for Productions
  • Create working drawings for set construction
  • Build and install sets for productions
  • Hang, patch, and focus light plot for productions and series
  • Install sound plot for productions and series
  • Install and focus projectors as needed for productions and series

• Manage Scene Shop and Technical Equipment
  • Maintain scene shop to meet CPT standards of safety, organization, and cleanliness
  • Maintain, repair, and purchase technical equipment as needed

• Manage Production Calendar and Budgets 
  • Evaluate designs for budget, both financial budget, and time/capacity budget
  • Create, build, and schedule for all productions
  • Create over-hire schedule/need for all productions
  • Work with designers to ensure final designs are submitted in a timely manner

• Manage Technicians
  • Manage one full-time Technical Associate
  • Recruit and retain skilled over-hire technicians for occasional, short-term work
  • Supervise skilled and unskilled short-term technicians
  • Train and respond to technician questions

QUALIFICATIONS 

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

Skills

• Excellent project management skills
  • The ability to assess, prioritize, and drive multiple productions at the same time

• Strong communication skills
• Ability to collaborate and be a team player
• Ability to manage small, short-term teams
• Excellent technical skills in at least three of the following areas:
  • Sound design/sound technician
  • Lighting design/master electrician
  • Scenic design/set construction
  • Video design/video implementation

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel
• Working knowledge of VectorWorks, QLab, and other industry standard programs

Experience

• 3 years of full-time technical theatre work, or equivalent as a freelancer
• Experience in technical direction
• Tracking and managing production budgets and expenses
• Possess some management experience

Qualities and Personality

• Attention to detail and accuracy while working on multiple projects and tasks
• Ability to work efficiently and calmly in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to re-prioritize tasks as they arise
• Collaborative, eager to learn new ways of working, service oriented, and highly self-motivated
• Inspired to learn from, and with, leadership, and to support leadership’s ongoing growth and learning
• Highly organized and self-motivated
• Energetic, enthusiastic, and sees projects to completion

Review of candidates will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. To apply for the position, send an email to Raymond Bobgan, Executive Artistic Director, at rbobgan@cptonline.org. Subject line should read: [LAST NAME], Technical Director. The email should include two attachments: a resume, and a two-page cover letter describing your history, passion, why you are interested in this position, and what you have to offer. Candidates may be asked to provide additional materials after original application. No phone calls, please.

CPT is a nationally recognized center for contemporary performance. Its mission is to raise consciousness and nurture compassion through groundbreaking theatre and life-changing education programs. CPT implements this mission through its annual theatrical season, featuring between 6-12 adventurous professional productions and a robust series of new play development programs that support writers and devisers at multiple points in the creative process. CPT’s acclaimed education programs engage communities in devising new works that speak to contemporary issues and empower participants to work for positive change in our community. CPT is home to community ensembles Teatro Público de Cleveland and Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi; and CPT presents Station Hope, an annual large-scale community arts festival. CPT’s annual budget is around $2.5 million a year. CPT has 22 full-time staff members.