Technical Director - Music, Theatre, Dance
Grand Valley State University
IT
Allendale Charter Twp, MI, USA
Posted on Dec 16, 2024
Summary: This position provides technical, budgetary, and logistical support for productions and related operations across the Music, Theatre, and Dance department. Supervises the operation of the Louis Armstrong Theatre, Lynn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre, dance studios, and Sherman Van Solkema Recital Hall.
Primary Duties
- Enforce safety procedures in all performance and lab spaces in the Haas Center for the Performing Arts.
- Maintain all technical systems in the Louis Armstrong Theatre (LAT), Lynn Maxwell Keller Black Box Theatre (KBB), 1600 Dance Studio Theatre, scene shop, and other performance and rehearsal spaces in the Haas Center for the Performing Arts.
- Work with theatre and opera theatre faculty to plan, schedule, and provide technical direction, as established by supervisor, for at least three theatre programs and one opera theatre program production annually.
- Work with dance faculty to provide technical direction for at least two dance concerts annually.
- Load in, hang, circuit, focus, maintain and strike lighting, for performances and studio spaces.
- Coordinate and assist with construction duties with the Scene Shop Supervisor.
- Provide technical support and guidance for Music, Theatre, and Dance (MTD) productions in LAT, and KBB, and 1600 Dance Studio Theatre and provide production support and guidance to other music, theatre, and dance productions as needed.
- Develop, implement, and coordinate improvement projects for the performance and rehearsal space in the Haas Center for Performing Arts either directly or in coordination with other university departments. Specific production duties defined by supervisor.
- Work with MTD faculty and staff to recruit, volunteer or paid, students and/or performing arts professionals to fill technical roles for departmental productions.
- Hire scene shop students and schedule student work in the scene shop for students, providing instruction, supervision, guidance, and training as needed.
- Coordinate with guest artists and performing arts professionals working in LAT and KBB.
- Track technical budgets for all theatre program productions, work with the faculty and staff to budget other MTD productions as needed.
- Coordinate scheduling for LAT & KBB, as well as dressing and green room spaces.
- Act as house technician for non-departmental events in LAT and KBB as directed by supervisor.
- Performs other duties as required/assigned by supervisor.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree in theatre.
- Working knowledge of theatre and scene shop safety practices.
- Working knowledge of scenic construction techniques and best practices.
- Familiarity with the use and safe operation of light industrial and contractor grade power, pneumatic, and welding tools.
- Ability to setup and maintain lighting systems, including ETC Eos/ION lighting consoles, incandescent, LED, and moving light fixtures, and networked lighting control systems.
- Ability to setup and maintain sound systems, including digital sound consoles, QLab playback software, Dante, AES50, and BLU-LINK networked audio links, wired and wireless microphones and coms.
- Ability to setup and maintain AV systems, including digital projectors, media servers (QLab, Media Master), and networked video distribution systems.
- Experience using professional CAD programs (Vectorworks or AutoCAD).
- Familiarity with office productivity, sharing, and communications software including Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive.
- Excellent time management, leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Driver’s license required.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Master of Fine Arts in technical theatre and/or prior professional experience.
- Ability to drive large box trucks up to 26 feet.
GVSU Competencies
Innovator mentality ∙ Fosters inclusive and equitable community ∙ Well-being oriented ∙ Asset mindset Acts with integrity ∙ Emotionally intelligent ∙ Collaborative teamwork ∙ Empowering
Working Conditions
Must be able to lift fifty pounds, climb ladders, and tolerate elevated working areas above twenty-five feet. Ability to work frequent nights and weekends is required. Some travel may be required.
Physical Demands: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
Minimum Starting Salary: $45,932.80
- The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health/vision/dental plans, life insurance, retirement, sick/leave disability, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities. Family and child-care options on and off-campus are also available.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is the largest college at Grand Valley, offering over 50 bachelor’s degrees and a growing number of advanced degrees in the natural and mathematical sciences, the fine arts and humanities, and the social sciences. CLAS is a student-centered and diverse learning community that engages in critical inquiry, extending knowledge to enrich and enliven individual and public life. Our faculty are active teacher-scholars committed to equitable, inclusive, career-connected, and community-engaged liberal arts and sciences education. There are many opportunities for collaboration within CLAS and across a broad group of partners on and off campus. We are interested in attracting a cohort of new faculty committed to these core values as we seek to foster a community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn, and thrive together.
Campus/University: Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources - Human Resources - Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).
How to Apply
A complete application must include: (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications, your motivation to take this position, and how you would address diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the context of this position (2) résumé, (3) and contact information for three professional references.
If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215. Email questions about the position to: Kevin Tutt - tuttk@gvsu.edu
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.
Application Deadline: The review process will begin January 3, 2025. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University thereafter.
Grand Valley State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.
See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).
Grand Valley State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.
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