Role: Technical Director
Salary Range: $47,000 – $53,000
Start Date: Late August/Early September 2022
Location: Toronto, ON
Deadline to apply: August 3, 2022
Role
The Technical Director leads the production department in resolving technical and operational challenges for shows, rentals and events, working in cooperation with the rest of the department and hourly crew. The production team shares the goal of maintaining an anti-racist, safe, and sustainable department, with a focus on health and safety oversight and technical expertise. The Technical Director anticipates, mitigates and troubleshoots technical production issues, and oversees safety in the rehearsal and performance venues. The Technical Director should be proactive; someone who can think critically, take decisive action, provide clear direction, delegate effectively and follow through consistently.
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is committed to employment equity. We encourage applications from queer, transgender, Indigenous, BIPOC, d/Deaf and disabled applicants. We are currently ongoing an organizational review and transformation process and are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments – if you require accommodations or have access needs at any point in the application or recruitment process please submit them to hiring@buddiesinbadtimes.com. Buddies follows COVID-19 protocols to ensure safety of staff led by our Joint Health and Safety Committee who work to ensure safety standards are met, and adjustments made when needed or requested.
Responsibilities
- Advocate for the resources needed to ensure the physical, emotional, and mental health and safety of all artistic and production personnel, nurturing a supportive, communicative, safe, and professional work environment.
- Collaborate in hiring, training and on-boarding new production personnel, providing a safe space for ongoing feedback with all reporting staff.
- Ensure that all production personnel are versed in and compliant with current safety practices and legislation, including anti-racism training.
- Communicate with venue technicians to establish consistent and safe practices regarding opening and closing procedures, show running, equipment use and storage.
- Participate in department meetings, management meetings and anti-racism meetings, as well as relevant production meetings and post-mortems as scheduled.
- Determine the technical specifications, cost, risk assessment and support required for events and performances presented at the venue.
- Execute, manage and track all technical expenses in accordance with approved budgets and costings, acquiring and transporting rental equipment and specialized supplies as needed.
- Plan and oversee the installation and strike of productions, creating technical draftings from scenic designer’s artistic drawings, supervising the set build and coordination between various departments (Set, Lighting, Sound, Rigging, Props, Video, Wardrobe)
- Attend technical setup and rehearsals in order to supervise the technical aspects of mounting a production, remaining available and responsive to requests for technical advice and assistance.
- Monitor the condition of technical equipment, performing preventative maintenance when possible and arrange for external repair and replacement within budgetary constraints as necessary.
- Oversee technical equipment asset-tracking, including maintenance and depreciation and coordinating in-house equipment rentals.
- Facilitate proofs of concepts between other designers and/or Heads of Departments (i.e. lighting, paint and SFX tests), communicating results to the creative team.
- Advise or implement processes and policies to increase the sustainability of the company’s operations as they intersect with the production elements of performances.
- Assist in booking and supervising sufficient crew to meet the needs of each production within budgetary constraints.
- Identify opportunities for further training and professional development among long-term and casual crew.
- Generate capital equipment upgrade proposals and present to company leadership.
- Orient renters and visiting productions to safety, technical characteristics and other relevant areas of facility operations.
Recommended Qualifications
- An understanding of the intersectionality of queer communities.
- A working knowledge of relevant legislation such as Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act specifically regarding the live performance guidelines, and the Canadian Theatre Agreement.
- A high level of computer proficiency including GSuite and CAD programs (AutoCAD and/or Vectoworks preferred).
- Experience implementing technical riders, and the ability to analyze and negotiate production elements.
- A strong knowledge of all aspects of technical production including interpreting/building construction drawings, lighting, sound, scenery, rigging, video, and related areas.
- Ability to troubleshoot problems with resourcefulness and flexibility.
- Outstanding communication and organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Please send a brief cover letter outlining why you would like to work with Buddies as well as skills and experience that make you a strong candidate for this role, and résumé to jacqueline@buddiesinbadtimes.com in a single PDF with the subject line “Technical Director Application”. Deadline to submit is Wednesday, August 3 at midnight.
COVID Safety
All employees, artists, and patrons are required to present valid proof of being fully vaccinated upon entry to any space at Buddies.
More information about our COVID-19 policies.
ABOUT BUDDIES
Established in 1979, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a professional Canadian theatre company dedicated to the development and presentation of queer theatre. Over the past 40 years, it has evolved from a small production company into the largest and longest-running queer theatre company in the world. The theatre sits in the heart of Toronto’s Church-Wellesley Village, and its primary constituencies are the city’s queer and arts communities. In addition to being a theatre, Buddies is a popular events venue with regular community and late-night events occurring year-round.