Summary
NOTE: This is a full-time, seasonal job working the production year (40 weeks) from mid-August to the beginning of May annually. The seasonal salary range is $38,400 – $41,600 per season/$960 – $1,040 per week/$24.00 – $26.00 per hour.
Candidates must include a cover letter specifying their interest in and qualifications for this position. The cover letter should be the first page of your resume, please include 3 references and upload materials as one PDF document.
As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world’s best public institutions of higher education, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance. We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields. We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University of Michigan. SMTD is committed to sharing values of diversity and inclusion, especially regarding historically underrepresented individuals, in order to achieve goals and sustain excellence. In the theatrical lighting shop, this work includes fostering an inclusive space welcome to all and enabling everyone to increase their comfort with technical skills.
University Productions presents nine to ten fully mounted main stage shows each season, serving the departments of Theatre & Drama, Musical Theatre, Dance, and Voice in three different campus venues. These productions are directed by faculty and guest directors; designed by faculty, students, and guests; and crewed by undergraduate SMTD students. Design & Production majors work as stage managers, shop assistants, and technicians for each production; advanced students may design costumes, scenery, or lighting for these productions.
Responsibilities*
Basic Responsibilities
- Participate in installation, technical rehearsals and load out of all theatrical lighting systems for approximately nine fully staged productions, one or two studio productions and one Musical Theatre showcase per season.
- Assist in leading undergraduate lighting students and student employees through projects by working closely with them in hands-on situations to assist in their training and complete production needs.
Duties to be Performed
- Participate in the installation, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, operation, and striking of theatrical lighting, special effects, video projection, and associated specialties for University Productions as assigned by the theatrical lighting manager.
- Assist the Theatrical Lighting Manager to meet creative and budgetary goals.
- Assist with estimating material and labor costs, and upon approval of the Theatrical Lighting Manager, make subsequent expenditures within budgeted amounts.
- Assist with coordinating employee work schedules during shop hours, and load-in & technical rehearsals with other production departments in order to meet scheduled deadlines and to share resources equitably.
- Attend scheduled production meetings and run-throughs as directed by the Theatrical Lighting Manager.
- As directed by the Theatrical Lighting Manager, manage load-ins, technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals.
- Assist in the scheduling, oversight and direction of professional staff, IATSE stagehands, paid student staff, paid student crews, and lab students in all aspects of theatrical lighting. Use hands-on techniques to show staff and students how to accomplish complex tasks safely.
- Assist with maintenance of the shop’s lighting inventories, equipment, and facilities. Works with the Theatrical Lighting Manager to specify and recommend new equipment.
- Ensure safe work practices and compliance with EHS regulations.
- Participate in discussions regarding the direction of emerging technologies that closely align with lighting and video projection, and their place in the organizational structure.
- Assist with the maintenance and repair of lighting and video projection equipment in the Power Center, Mendelssohn Theatre, and Arthur Miller Theatre by providing house technicians with theatrical lighting shop staff and expertise.
- Assist with occasional special projects and facility improvements.
- Keep abreast of industry standards in lighting and video technology and design and actively seek out and participate in professional development activities to keep the department up to date.
Mentorship
- Mentor students in practical areas of theatrical lighting and video projection. Mentoring can take on many forms, but most important to this position is training and modeling best industry practices to maintain a culture of safety.
- Assist with informal small group instruction and training of students as part of their coursework in the practical aspects of theatrical lighting, video projection, and associated specialties. Topics include construction, installation, rigging, operation, and safety. This training and instruction will take place during hands-on theatre “labs” in the Theatrical Lighting Shop and during productions backstage with lighting crew members.
- Assist with advising student designers on the process of realizing their designs (faculty will advise on aesthetics).
Supervision to be Received
The Theatrical Lighting Manager is the direct supervisor.
Supervision to be Exercised
Functional supervision is exercised over temporary employees including IATSE stage technicians, work-study students, and students enrolled in classes for credit, as directed by the Theatrical Lighting Manager.
Required Qualifications*
- A Bachelor’s degree in technical theatre, or an equivalent combination of education and experience with a recognized professional company or university is necessary.
- A strong background in the construction, installation, and running of theatrical lighting, video projection, stage effects, stage rigging, and general theatrical practices is necessary.
- Experience with ETC consoles and ETC entertainment networks is necessary.
- Experience in DMX-controlled devices, and in repairing moving lights is necessary.
- Experience with Vectorworks and Lightwright is necessary.
- Position routinely uses ladders, catwalks, scaffolds, grids, and aerial work platforms to safely perform work duties; this position routinely moves equipment weighing up to 75 pounds across campus for various events.
- Capable experience in computer networking for theatrical applications, understanding of SDI, HDMI, DVI, Fiber, CAT6, and VGA signal protocol.
- This position involves traveling to various locations on and off campus to conduct UM business and deliver materials.
- This position is required to work some evenings and weekends when in production. This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime after 40 hrs. per week; some overtime is necessary for this position.
- The ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures is necessary.
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience with some supervisory responsibility in the theatrical lighting shop of a recognized professional or educational theatre company is desirable.
- Professional relationships with other theatrical lighting managers, production electricians, and lighting shops is desirable.
- Able to meet the requirements to drive a UM vehicle including cargo van or small box truck.
- Experience with professional projection equipment and related software such as Q Lab is desirable.
Additional Information
NOTE: Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Background Screening
A pre-employment background check must be conducted before a candidate may receive a firm offer of employment to a staff position at the University of Michigan.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
233909
Working Title
Associate Theatrical Lighting Manager
Job Title
Theatre Artisan Associate Supr
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Nonexempt
Organizational Group
School Music
Department
SMTD University Productions
Posting Begin/End Date
4/28/2023 – 5/19/2023
Salary
$49,920.00 – $54,080.00
Career Interest
The Arts