Technical Director and Scene Shop Manager

Although open until filled, priority application date is August 2, 2024.  

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. 

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. 

The School of Drama has an outstanding opportunity for a Technical Director and Scene Shop Manager to join their team.

Position Purpose

The University of Washington School of Drama seeks an experienced, dynamic, and energetic engineer and educator to serve as our Technical Director and Scene Shop Manager. The Technical Director plays a crucial role in supporting and realizing the artistic vision of students, faculty, and guest artists within the School of Drama. The Technical Director is responsible for the integration of the technical aspects of School of Drama productions with a particular focus on scenic elements. As Scene Shop Manager the Technical Director supervises a professional staff of seven people--including carpenters, a props artisan, a scenic painter, a master electrician, and a sound technician--as well as overseeing numerous student workers. The ideal candidate possesses expertise in technical theater, a passion for engaging with students, strong organizational and management skills, and a commitment to fostering equity and inclusion within the theater community.

The School of Drama is committed to building and supporting a multicultural community that fosters equity, diversity, inclusion, and access. Our faculty and staff are expected to understand and embrace our commitment to respecting and representing diverse ideas, races, genders, sexualities, abilities, cultures, religions, and traditions, and to interrupt behaviors that hinder our work toward anti-racism and our diversity and inclusion efforts. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and members of other under-represented groups are encouraged to apply.

Our mission is to develop innovative and courageous artists and scholars poised to be the creative leaders of tomorrow. The School’s graduates go on to careers in theatre, film, television, arts management, advertising, design, creative media, and other areas such as law and business where the skills of critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, entrepreneurship, and creativity are essential. Seattle is a well-known center of innovation and culture, and the School of Drama enjoys a close relationship with the area’s many regional theaters.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical Director [50%]

• Serve as Technical Director for School of Drama productions, working with primarily student designers to assess, plan, and guide all scenic elements through design, budgeting, and scheduling.  Create working drawings. Lead the shop staff in the construction, transportation, and installation of scenery. Train student assistants and running crews in the safe and effective use of equipment and scenic elements. Oversee and advise on the safe use of complex moving and automated scenery. Support and coordinate a range of workers from professional production staff to first-time student crews encompassing people with a vast range of skill levels. Researching and keeping current with new techniques, technologies, and materials is an expectation of the position. Expected to manage and support the staff to meet hard deadlines such as show opening. This position will require evening and weekend hours.

Scene Shop Manager [30%]

• Manage the scene shop including overseeing the shop calendar, worker schedules, and production-related budgets. Lead scene shop staff and crews in production-related planning and decision-making. Purchase materials, reconcile receipts, and maintain, upgrade, and/or replace shop equipment.

• Maintain scene shop and related equipment. Oversee and/or perform routine inspections and safety assessments. Schedule periodic and necessary maintenance. Ensure UW health and safety standards are met and enforced. 

Facilities Coordinator [15%] 

• Maintain and oversee two theaters, a large shop, and four storage spaces including routine inspections, regular and necessary maintenance of installed and moveable equipment, and equipment upgrades. Coordinate with faculty, staff, students, and outside organizations regarding the safe and sustainable use of department facilities and equipment. Ensure UW health and safety standards are met and enforced. 

Maintenance [5%] 

• Oversee the maintenance, inventory, and storage of stock scenery elements, equipment, and properties.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in theater, technical theater, or related field.

• Two or more years of experience in live event production, including knowledge related to scenery, props, and theatrical rigging.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Positive Factors for Consideration Include, but are not limited to:

• A master's degree related to theatre production/technical theater.

• Experience/knowledge related to lighting, sound, projections, and costumes.

• Advanced proficiency in CAD drafting software, ability to generate detailed and accurate drawings, and to advise staff and students in the creation of the same.

• Experience within an academic institution and/or educational organization.

• Demonstrated commitment to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within the production department and the School of Drama community.

• Knowledge of basic electrical systems as well as advanced circuit and control systems.

• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Application Process: 

The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process.  These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law