Technical Director
Company: Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
Location: Chicago
Posted on: March 20, 2023
Job Description:
Job Title: Technical DirectorLocation: Chicago, IL -Terms:
Full-TimeRequirements: Ability to work evening and weekend hours
per events scheduled -About Us:The Athenaeum Center for Thought &
Culture is a not-for-profit organization whose mission and
principal activities are to promote and support fine arts, cultural
programming, and spiritual development for Catholics and the
general public in Chicago, Illinois. Our mission is to invite
people into encounters with beauty and to revitalize the great
Catholic tradition of the arts from our location in one of
Chicago's most unique religious, artistic, and civic buildings.
-Our performing art center was built in 1911 as part of St.
Alphonsus in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, as a place for
the spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth of parishioners
and the community. The Center has multiple performance and event
spaces, including our 985-seat proscenium, Historic Main Stage
theatre. -At ACTC, we believe that beauty has the capacity to build
up culture, transform society, and change lives. We hope to help
our patrons contemplate, encounter, and delight in beauty. -Job
Overview: -The Technical Director is primarily responsible for
supervision and implementation of all production elements
(lighting, sound, set design and construction, etc.) of all
Athenaeum Center events. The Technical Director ensures safeworking
practices, supervises the use of the venue spaces by outside
groups, and facilitates repair and maintenance of the theatre
resources and equipment. Key to this is a strong work ethic
centered on excellent organizational skills, mission drive, and the
ability to develop and maintain positive, collaborative
relationships and communications with all artistic parties
(designers, actors, etc.), as well as administrative staff, board
members, and volunteers. -Responsibilities and Duties:Technical
Operations & Safety Management
Oversees and develops policies to
safeguards the technical assets of all performance spaces,
including supervising the use of rigging, lighting, and sound
equipment, and the use and maintenance of all stage and room
facilities.Develops, implements and monitors room policies to
ensure a safe work environment in the backstage and stage areas of
all performing spaces.Designs, sets up, maintains, and operates
lighting plot and sound systems for theatre, dance, music, and
other productions and projects; assists guest designers and artists
with technical matters.Serves as Building Supervisor after normal
hours of operation, or during assigned productions and rental
events -Monitors the condition of equipment including lighting,
sound, and rigging equipment; arranges for the repair and
replacement within budgetary constraintsMaintains and tracks all
equipment inventory of performance and event spacesPerforms and
manages regular preventive maintenance schedules on all
equipment.Orients facility renters and visiting productions to
safety, technical characteristics and other areas of facility
operations; facilitates the use of the technical facilities by the
resident company and others engaged by or renting the
facility.Advancing / Events
Advances all third-party technical
riders and approves and advises on all technical designs Maintains
and updates technical advancing forms and processes Provides
technical consult and technical sales support from inquiry to event
dayAdvises production managers, lighting and sound designers, on
the technical specifications, costs and usage of technical
equipment required for ACTC events, and supervises the
implementations of approved technical designs. -Supervises and
assists with set and stage construction and management of ACTC
eventsAttend all event calls, including load-in, technical
rehearsals, production, and load-out, in order to supervise and
assist in the technical aspects of mounting, executing, and
striking a show.Attend regular event production meetings with
internal and third-party renters throughout advancing processAssist
Venue Booking Agents and Events Manager with tours of facilities as
neededAssist events as needed with lighting or audio board Operate
fly system or any run crew positions as neededManagement &
Administration
Oversees and manages the recruiting,
training and assignment of annual Technical Crew RosterManages ACTC
Tech Crew during events that have added Event Crew Services
Assists with the preparation and
control of ACTC production and maintenance budgets; maintains
inventory and orders specialized supplies.Manage and approve
third-party rentals as neededEnsures that invoices for payment
and/or receipts for disbursement, with respect to authorized
expenditures, are promptly submitted being proficient and efficient
with all expenditures made within the budgetUpdate and maintain
venue technical riders, manuals, and supporting documents for all
spacesMakes recommendations to the Center's leadership regarding
capital purchases of technical equipment, as well as performance
space upgrades and improvements.Compare and evaluate third party
vendors, negotiate contract terms and pricing, and prepare cost
analyses and reports on purchasesAttend trade shows and exhibitions
to stay up-to-date with industry trendsProfessional Skills:
Carpentry (sets and props)Painting
(sets and props)Lighting (programming and rigging)Rigging/Fly
(counterweight systems)Theatrical sound designTechnical effects
(including pyrotechnics, video, projection, etc.)Electrical
engineeringProject managementPersonnel managementQualifications:
Maintain a positive attitude -Very
strong organizational abilities and excellent attention to details
-Strong Proficiency in computer skillsExcellent written and verbal
communication skillsExcellent leadership and team management
skillsAbility to keep a peaceful, Christ-like demeanor in demanding
situationsAbility to be flexible in an environment that is subject
to spur of the moment change -Ability to inspire and motivate teams
of volunteers and leadersMust have the ability to coordinate
several activities at once and quickly analyze and resolve specific
problems -Independent problem solving and multitasking skills in a
fast-paced, high energy environmentRequirements:The Technical
Director should have the following skills, educations, and
experience:
Minimum of 2 years of experience
working with theatrical lighting or electrical equipment Minimum of
2 years of experience working with truss or counterweight rigging
systemMinimum of 4-5 years of experience at a performing arts
center, theatre production, or related production
environmentMinimum of 3 years of direct customer service
experienceProficient in technical theatre practicesExperience with
VectorworksExperience with VenueOps, CRM, or other event management
software a plusA working knowledge of AutoCAD and experience with
IATSE, AEA, and USA agreements are beneficialETCP certification
preferredWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is
frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms,
stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. - The employee must frequently lift
and/or move up to 50 pounds. -Ability to work a flexible schedule,
including evening and weekend hoursReports To:
This position reports to the
Production Manager This position's direct reports for some events:
Lighting Department HeadAudio
Department HeadVideo Department HeadMaster CarpenterStage HandsThe
position often interacts and collaborates with the Venue Booking
Manager, Box Office Manager, Event Manager, Artistic Director, and
Executive DirectorCompensation:
Pay Rate/Range: $60,000 - $80,000 per
experienceHoliday and paid time off -Full benefits package
including medical, dental vision, life insurance, disability,
accident, flexible spending and transit401(k) plan with 5% company
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Keywords: Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture, Chicago , Technical Director, IT / Software / Systems , Chicago, Illinois
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