Assistant Technical Director

Assistant Technical Director

The University of Evansville Department of Theatre invites applications for the position of Assistant Technical Director. The Department is nationally recognized for its excellence in undergraduate theatre education and is committed to preparing future theatre professionals through a combination of rigorous academic coursework and hands-on production experience.

Working closely with the Production Manager/Technical Director, the Assistant Technical Director plays a critical role in supporting theatrical productions, managing scenic construction activities, maintaining shop operations, and mentoring students in a dynamic production environment. The successful candidate will help uphold the department's commitment to artistic excellence, safety, and experiential learning.

Key Responsibilities

The Assistant Technical Director supports all aspects of scenic production, shop operations, and student training. Responsibilities include:

Scenic Construction & Production Support

• Construct, install, maintain, and strike scenic elements for the department's production season.
• Coordinate and oversee scenery installation and strike activities.
• Procure production materials and maintain inventory of scenic construction supplies.
• Track production materials, expenses, and labor utilization on a show-by-show basis.
• Collaborate with faculty, designers, and production staff to ensure efficient execution of production goals.
• Assist with technical problem-solving and implementation of scenic designs.

Shop Operations & Safety

• Support administration and enforcement of departmental safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain first aid and safety inventory supplies.
• Oversee specific safety programs in accordance with university environmental health and safety requirements.
• Maintain scene shop tools, equipment, and facility resources.
• Promote a safe and productive work environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Student Supervision & Mentorship

• Supervise and mentor student crews, including work-study students, graduate assistants, practicum students, and production crews.
• Provide instruction in scenic construction, properties, painting, and safe shop practices.
• Support experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in technical theatre and entertainment production.
• Foster a collaborative and professional learning environment.

Additional Responsibilities

• Depending on the qualifications and interests of the successful candidate, additional duties may include:
• Technical direction of productions.
• Teaching courses within the Theatre Department.
• Props construction or design.
• Sound design and system installation.
• Three-dimensional model making.
• Computer numeric controlled (CNC) routing and fabrication.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Design and Technology, Technical Direction, Technical Management, Entertainment Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of scenic construction methods and theatre production practices.
• Valid driver's license.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in a production-oriented environment.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials and equipment associated with theatrical production activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Technical Direction or a related discipline.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students in a theatrical shop environment.
• Professional theatre scenery construction or production management experience.
• Proficiency with Computer-Aided Drafting software, including AutoCAD or Vectorworks.
• Experience with Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding.
• Experience with Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) systems.
• Knowledge of stage rigging systems and related safety practices.
• Experience with sound system design, installation, and maintenance.
• Experience with CNC routing and advanced fabrication technologies.

Working Environment

This position operates within an active theatre production schedule and may require evening and weekend hours to support rehearsals, technical rehearsals, performances, installations, and strikes. The successful candidate will work in both educational and production settings and will play an important role in student development through hands-on mentorship and supervision.

Why Join the University of Evansville Department of Theatre?

The University of Evansville Department of Theatre is a nationally recognized undergraduate program dedicated to developing future theatre professionals through individualized training and extensive production opportunities. Students benefit from a highly selective admission process, close faculty mentorship, and a strong liberal arts foundation that prepares graduates for successful careers in the performing arts and entertainment industries.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit application materials through the University of Evansville employment portal.

The University of Evansville expects all members of its community to treat each other with respect and civility. The University is committed to providing an inclusive environment and is an equal opportunity employer.