Assistant Technical Director

Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

SMU Meadows School of the Arts educates visionary artists, scholars and arts and communications professionals to create sustainable and transformative impact on both local and global society. Today, the Meadows School has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States and offers training in an unusual mix of the arts – visual (art and art history), performing (dance, music, and theatre) and communications (advertising, film and media arts, corporate communication and public affairs, and journalism) – as well as a preeminent program in arts management and arts entrepreneurship.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Technical Director provides scenic, drafting, and construction support for productions produced by the Theatre, Dance, and Opera programs within the Meadows School of the Arts, as well as special projects as delegated by the Technical Director (TD).

The position works under the supervision of the TD to support artistic staff and production personnel, ensuring safe and professional scene shop operations while providing technical leadership and mentorship.

Essential Functions:

• Provides construction support and builds scenery for productions produced by the Theatre, Dance, and Opera, within the Meadows School of the Arts, as well as special projects as delegated by the Technical Director (TD). Is knowledgeable of ongoing projects to support the overall plan as laid out by the TD.
  
  

• Supervise all students who work in the scene shop including but not limited to practicum students and work study students. Train students as needed to for run crew and supervise technical rehearsals as delegated by the TD. Assists the TD in the supervision of Shop Foreman and Over-Hire.
  
  

• Supplements and reinforces Graduate Design Curriculum by imparting knowledge of industry standard practices the students will be expected to know and follow once they graduate and work professionally.
  
  

• Drafts construction drawings and provides technical documentation to support ongoing projects as delegated by the TD. Makes material recommendations for ongoing projects.
  
  

• Maintains shop equipment and keep tools and supplies organized and maintain a clean, safe working environment in all areas of the shop and performance spaces.

  
  
  

• Purchases materials and supplies as needed for productions and to maintain shop inventories. When the TD is unavailable, acts as a liaison by attending meetings as delegated and communicating relevant information while supporting a positive, inclusive, and educational working environment.
  
  

• Provides assistance to lighting, sound, and properties personnel as needed to support production deadlines and to promote collaboration and unity among production staff. Assist the Operations and Events personnel in the setting and removal of special event set-ups in Owen Arts and Garson public spaces.
  
  

• Position requires a valid drivers license, as there may be some local travel for supply runs.
  
  

• Position requires regular evening or weekend work for tech rehearsals.