Technical Scenery Manager and Mentor Instructor

Scenery Manager

NOTE: This is a full time / seasonal job working the production year (40 weeks) from early-August to the end of April annually. Salary listed is the full time- 12 month salary; seasonal salary range is $70,000 - $72,000 FTR per season/ $1,750 - $1,800 per week/ $43.75 - $45 per hour).

As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world's finest public institutions of higher education, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance. We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields. We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University. We welcome all people and strive to enable them to safely use, visit, and enjoy our performance halls, shops, and rehearsal spaces.

University Productions is the producing unit of the school. It presents nine fully mounted main stage shows each season, serving the Departments of Dance, Musical Theatre, Theatre & Drama, and Voice & Opera in three different venues. These productions are directed by faculty and guest directors; designed by faculty, students, and guests; and crewed by performance and Design & Production majors. Design & Production majors work as stage managers, shop assistants, and technicians for each production; experienced students may design costumes, sets, or lighting for these productions. University Productions also manages the five main performance halls on behalf of the University.

Responsibilities*

• Supervision of all phases of construction, costing, crewing, installation, operation and striking of scenery for approximately six productions per year.
• Collaborate with other technical departments while productions are in construction and in the theatre. Ensure that needs of other departments are being included in all build and technical schedules.
• Overall management of Power Scene Shop; oversight of stage equipment for performance spaces; and assisting with the training of students in areas of technical theatre practice. Duties to be Performed
• Collaborate with designers on the specifications of materials, construction techniques, and associated materials costs to meet creative and budgetary goals.
• Estimate costs of assigned productions, including materials, labor, and time. Inform the Director of Productions and designers when these estimates are projected to exceed budgets. Work with creative teams to find solutions to bring designs within material, labor and time budgets. Upon the approval of the Director of Production, make subsequent expenditures within budgeted amounts.
• Supervise and produce working drawings of scenery. Give direction and assistance to scenic carpenters as needed.
• Coordinate the use of scenery-shop space and equipment with Paint, Properties, and Lighting Departments. Coordinate work schedules with Walgreen Scene Shop on projects selected by the Director of Production in order to meet scheduled deadlines and to share resources equitably.
• Schedule, oversee and direct professional staff, temporary (including IATSE stage hangs) help, student assistants and paid student crews in all aspects of scenery.
• Use hands-on techniques to show staff how to accomplish complex tasks safely.
• Attend scheduled production meetings. Attend run-throughs, technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals as needed to provide adequate supervision.
• Make recommendations to the Director of Productions on crew requirements for each production.
• Participate in discussions regarding the direction of emerging technologies (such as video projection) that closely align with scenery, and their place in the organizational structure. Mentorship
• Mentor students in practical areas of scenic construction and technical direction. This mentoring can take many forms, but most important to this position is training and modeling best industry practices to maintain a culture of safety.
• Give informal small group instruction and training to students as part of their coursework in the practical aspects of scenic construction, and associated specialties. Topics may include construction, installation, rigging, operation, and safety. This training and instruction will take place during hands-on theatre labs in the Scene Shop and during productions backstage with running crew members.
• Assist with advising student designers on the process of realizing their designs (faculty will advise on aesthetics).
• Make technical recommendations to theatre students on their extra-curricular productions when requested.
• Teach students safe operation of equipment and general safety procedures for the installation, rigging, operation, and striking of scenery

Administration

• Maintain accounting records, including purchasing-card reports and labor expenses.
• Supervise the planning, construction, installation, rigging, operation, and striking of scenery for assigned productions in a safe and timely manner. Engineer special machines and effects as needed.
• Schedule biweekly, part-time, IATSE, and work-study staff within budgeted parameters. Verify time to be submitted for payroll.
• Supervise maintenance of scene-shop equipment and facilities. Specify and recommend new equipment or the modification of existing equipment to meet special production or shop needs. Supervise and collaborate on the maintenance of scenery stock in the University Productions shared warehouse.
• Ensure safe work practices and compliance with safety regulations in the shop and theatre.
• Make recommendations to Facility Manager on the operating policies and standards for stage equipment located in the performance spaces managed by University Productions, keeping the best interests of all users in mind. Recommend new equipment or the modification of existing equipment. Assist with the determination of budget and appropriate personnel to achieve these recommendations.
• Assist with occasional special projects and facility improvements.

Supervision to be Exercised

• Functional and administrative supervision is exercised over permanent staff, temporary employees (including IATSE), work-study students, and students completing practicum and lab hours.

Required Qualifications*

• A Bachelor's degree in technical theatre or design, or an equivalent combination of education and experience with a recognized professional company or university is necessary.
• A strong background in theatrical drafting, production planning, scenic carpentry, welding, rigging, and general theatrical practices is necessary.
• Ability to manage staff in a fast-paced environment in which priorities can change rapidly while facilitating efficient problem solving, creative thinking, and the spirit of collaboration.
• A high level of experience with Vectorworks and other CAD drafting programs is necessary.
• A broad knowledge of other areas of theatrical production (lighting, props, sound) is necessary.
• The ability to direct and supervise union stagehands is necessary.
• Position routinely uses ladders, catwalks, scaffolds, grids, and aerial work platforms to safely perform work duties.
• This position routinely supervises the trucking of heavy equipment and scenery across campus for various productions. The position needs to lift up to 50 pounds.
• This position involves traveling to various locations on and off campus to conduct UM business and purchase materials, sometimes using University box trucks or cargo vans.
• This position is required to attain and maintain forklift, safety, and vehicle certifications.
• This position is required to work some evenings and weekends when in production.
• Supervisory and administrative skills are necessary.
• The ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures is necessary.

Desired Qualifications*

• An MFA in technical theatre or related fields is desirable.
• At least three years experience with some supervisory responsibility in running a scene shop of a recognized professional performing-arts company is desirable.
• Proficiency in the use of office and google software including spreadsheets and file sharing is desirable.
• Experience with automation, and hydraulics is desirable.
• Professional relationships with other scene-shop managers are desirable

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes . This position works on campus during the academic year.

Additional Information

This posting may be taken off the job boards any time after the initial seven (7) days.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.