Technical Director of Theatre and Dance

About Us

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Department Information

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Georgia College & State University offers a dynamic, student-centered program grounded in both performance and production. Located in Milledgeville, Georgia, the department provides hands-on learning opportunities through a broad season of plays, musicals, and dance concerts.

Job Summary

The Technical Director is responsible for supporting the artistic vision of directors and designers as it relates to the budgeting, scheduling, construction, and realization of set, lighting, projection, and sound designs. The Technical Director provides instruction and training to the students in carpentry skills, and all technical areas. Additionally, the Technical Director coordinates staff, work-study, and student crews; manages facility, equipment and inventory; and assists the Chair in budgeting, creating the tech schedule, and scheduling the season. The Technical Director manages the space of the Campus Black Box Theatre and Scene Shop, works with the Manager of Russell Auditorium to oversee Theatre and Dance Department productions in that space, and works with Theatre productions in Max Noah Recital Hall. The Technical Director works with students, student directors and designers, and faculty in a professional manner.

Responsibilities

Management - 25%

• Works with designers, directors, and production management to manage and maximize the artistic and educational impact of department resources.
• Assists students to conceptualize their set designs.
• Assesses construction needs, generates construction drawings and paperwork, creates materials and labor estimates in time and cost and maintains inventory reports.
• Works with Physical Plant on maintenance and repair of equipment, safety management, and safety inspection of tools and equipment.

Training - 20%

• Trains and coordinates staff and students in the preparation, load-in, and maintenance of shows.

Maintenance - 20%

• Maintains a clear understanding of all aspects of production in order to facilitate scenic, lighting, projections, and sound needs, rehearsal, technical rehearsal, running and closing/strike of each production and special event.
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment in the scene shop and performance spaces, including marley floors.
• Provides training on facilities and equipment.
• Maintains records and completes incident reports as needed.
• Maintains regular inspection with Physical Plant of hazardous materials, lamps, lighting instruments, dimmers, wiring, sound system, mechanical work including rigging, winches, draperies and masking, and house systems.

Organization - 20%

• Organizes and administers the implementation of the shop calendar.
• Follows through on design deadlines.
• Scheduling and coordinating staff.
• Coordinates the construction of all scenic elements for each production.

Communication - 10%

• Attends staff, departmental, and production meetings and is responsible for reading show reports, rehearsal reports and season calendars.
• Follows up on applicable details/notes and communicates information to supervisors and staff as appropriate.

Other - 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• B.A. in Theatre or related area of expertise

Other Required Qualifications

• Valid driver's license (or ability to obtain one)

Required Experience

• 2 years of experience in an educational or professional theatre setting or related field of experience.
• Experience in scenic construction and crew leadership

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced skills in scenic carpentry, welding, or metalworking.
• Experience in theatrical design (scenic, lighting, sound, or projections).
• Background in higher education or student mentorship.
• Knowledge of emerging production technologies (projection, digital audio, etc).

Proposed Salary

This position is a pay grade 8. The available salary range is $36,563.00 to $40,729.00. Starting salary within this range is based on relevant years of experience.

For more information about GCSU compensation practices, click here: https://www.gcsu.edu/humanresources/pay-grade-structure.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Ability to support and realize the artistic visions of directors and designers within budgetary and scheduling constraints
• Ability to assess and prioritize competing production needs and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work cooperatively with students, faculty, and staff while fostering a positive and productive work environment
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including lifting up to 50 lbs, working at heights, and safely operating shop equipment
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, in alignment with the production schedule

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of scenic construction methods, materials, and stagecraft best practices
• Knowledge of theatrical lighting systems, projection technologies, sound equipment, and theatrical rigging
• Knowledge of rigging systems, mechanical stage equipment, and industry safety standards (OSHA, NFPA)
• Knowledge of production budgeting principles and cost estimation techniques
• Knowledge of academic theatre production processes and educational environments

SKILLS

• Proficiency in drafting and interpreting construction drawings and technical production paperwork
• Proficiency with CAD, Vectorworks, and other drafting and design software applications, including Microsoft Office, Adobe, and 3D printing tools
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to oversee multiple concurrent productions
• Skill in wood and metal fabrication and rigging
• Skill in estimating and managing technical budgets
• Demonstrated ability to instruct and mentor students and crews across varying levels of experience

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position requires a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time
This position does not require security clearance.

This is a 10 month position, August - May, but will carry benefits for the full year.

Background Check

• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification
• DMV Check