Head Electrician

Head Electrician, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

The Music Center, Los Angeles County's premier performing arts center, is seeking an experienced highly resourceful team player and production professional with strong project leadership skills to join the TMC Ops Production team. This individual helps facilitate and execute capital improvement projects, theatrical system maintenance and repairs, and productions. The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident of Los Angeles County. The non-profit performing arts organization has two divisions: TMC Arts and TMC Ops.

The Head Electrician is responsible for the preparation, installation, operation, maintenance, and supervision of all lighting systems and related equipment for theatrical productions, special events, and facility operations. This position works closely with lighting designers, production staff, stage management, and other production departments to ensure the successful execution of artistic and technical requirements while maintaining a safe and efficient working environment.

The Head Electrician supervises electrics crews and Hiring Hall personnel, manages lighting inventory and infrastructure, and serves as a key member of the production team throughout pre-production, load-in, technical rehearsals, performances, and strike.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead electrician for all productions, events, and facility activities.
• Interpret and implement lighting designs from plots, paperwork, and technical drawings.
• Coordinate and supervise lighting load-ins, hang and focus sessions, technical rehearsals, performances, and strikes.
• Prepare, maintain, and organize production paperwork, channel hookups, patch information, focus charts, and related documentation.
• Collaborate with designers, directors, stage management, and production staff to achieve artistic and technical goals.
• Support the installation and operation of practical lighting, projections, special effects, and atmospheric effects as required.

Lighting Systems and Equipment

• Maintain and troubleshoot lighting consoles, dimming systems, LED fixtures, moving lights, networking infrastructure, power distribution systems, and associated equipment.
• Program and operate ETC lighting consoles as required.
• Maintain lighting inventory and oversee equipment repairs, maintenance schedules, and replacement recommendations.
• Ensure proper setup and operation of DMX, ACN/sACN, and IP-based lighting control networks.
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, and operation of rigging systems related to lighting and projection equipment.

Leadership and Administration

• Lead, train, and supervise electrics department crew.
• Coordinate staffing needs and crew assignments in consultation with production management.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and respectful work environment.
• Participate in production planning and scheduled meetings.
• Maintain accurate records related to inventory, maintenance, and production documentation.

Safety

• Promote and enforce safe work practices in accordance with company policies and industry standards.
• Ensure the safe operation of lifts, rigging systems, power distribution equipment, and theatrical lighting systems.
• Conduct routine inspections of lighting equipment and workspaces.
• Identify and address potential safety concerns before they impact productions or personnel.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of traditional and modern theatrical lighting equipment, software, and control systems.
• Demonstrated expertise with ETC lighting consoles and ETC Eos programming environments.
• Advanced understanding of LED fixtures, dimming systems, DMX, ACN/sACN, and IP-based networking configurations.
• Proficiency with Lightwright and Vectorworks.
• Experience with moving lights, automated fixtures, and lighting network infrastructure.
• Experience setting up, operating, and maintaining special effects and atmospheric effects equipment.
• Ability to read and implement light plots, section drawings, and other theatrical technical documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills related to theatrical electrical systems.
• Experience leading crews in professional theatrical or live entertainment environments.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-oriented in high-pressure situations.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency with standard office software, email, and digital collaboration tools.
• Ability to maintain digital production records and technical documentation.

Minimum Requirements

• Five or more years of professional experience as a Head Electrician, Assistant Head Electrician, Master Electrician, or Production Electrician in a professional theatrical venue, producing organization, or live entertainment environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting productions from pre-production through load-in, technical rehearsals, performances, and strike.
• Experience supervising union crews and coordinating production workflows.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as production schedules require.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis and 25 pounds frequently.
• Ability to work at heights, climb ladders, operate personnel lifts, and work in a variety of backstage and production environments.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and perform physically demanding production work for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• ETCP Certified Entertainment Electrician or eligibility to obtain certification.
• Experience in regional theater, LORT theater, opera, dance, touring productions, or presenting houses.
• Experience with automated lighting systems and advanced networking infrastructure.
• Previous IATSE membership or experience working in union environments.
• Certification or experience operating forklifts, personnel lifts, and motorized carts.

Professional Development

• ETCP Entertainment Electrician certification training and testing support provided by the company.
• Forklift and motorized cart operation training provided as required.

Work Schedule

This position requires a flexible schedule that may include daytime, evening, weekend, holiday, and overtime hours based on production and event needs.