Office: (630) 879-7134
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Technical Director
Paramount Theatre/Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), an innovative organization located on Stolp Island in the Fox River in the heart of the richly diverse community of historic Aurora, Illinois (one hour from downtown Chicago), is seeking a Technical Director. ACCA is the parent organization, which also includes a 501(c)3 arm under the name of Paramount Arts Centre, Inc. It operates three performance venues: the 6,000-person RiverEdge Park, the 1,843-seat landmark Paramount Theatre, and the 165-seat, newly renovated Copley Theatre. In July of 2024 it will also open Stolp Island Theatre: a 9,000 square foot development that includes an intimate 98-seat 4,600-square-foot theater. ACCA produces and presents over 500 performances each year, including star-studded touring productions, a self-produced Broadway Series of musicals and the self-produced Bold Series for an annual audience of 350,000 patrons from over 250 communities. ACCA proudly operates the Paramount School of the Arts in the new John C. Dunham Aurora Arts Center, right next door to Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora. Paramount Theatre also hosts free community events, $1 Classic Movie Mondays and its opulent interiors provide a spectacular backdrop for private functions such as wedding receptions or corporate galas. Across the street from Paramount Theatre are the gorgeous Meyer Ballrooms, which play host to multiple wedding receptions and rental events throughout the year.
Paramount Theatre/Aurora Civic Center Authority is committed to being a defining catalyst for personal and community transformation by:- making the performing arts accessible for every age and socioeconomic background,
- introducing the magic of live theater across generations to encourage expansive imaginations and broad views of people and the world,
- and contributing to the future stability and growth of Aurora’s downtown.
DEPARTMENT – Production
DIRECT REPORTING – This position reports to the Director of Production
WORKS CLOSELY WITH – Technical Director, Associate Technical Director, Assistant Technical Director, Scene Shop Team, Production Management, Properties Shop Staff, Director of Facilities Operations, Audio Lighting and Media Supervisor, Lead Stagehands
POSITION STATUS & SCHEDULE – Full time exempt. In collaboration with Director of Production and TD staff, span of day and days off can be somewhat flexible. Shop schedule is generally Monday-Friday, 8-9 hours a day. Extended hours occur during load-in and tech including some nights, weekends and holidays, and time-sensitive needs sometimes occur outside scheduled hours.
COMPENSATION – Salary starting at $70,000 with pay commensurate with experience; excellent benefits package including health insurance, paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick time, paid parental/family leave, 401K with employer match, and complimentary tickets.
START DATE – As soon as April 8, 2024 or mutually agreed upon date
POSITION SUMMARY – Technical Director is responsible for working in tandem with the other Technical Director in the management of Scene Shop operations and employees (including Associate TD and Assistant TD), assessment of scenic designs, and the management of scenic installations for in-house productions, which currently consist of 4 Broadway Series musicals and the Paramount Performance Camp production in Paramount Theatre, 3 Bold Series productions in Copley Theatre, and an upcoming open-ended production in our newest venue, Stolp Island Theatre. Duties include oversight of scenic construction, installation, maintenance, and strike.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES –- Budget Management
- Work with VP of Productions to establish scenic budgets for productions, overhead, and capital improvements
- Manage Scene Shop payroll, routine Scene Shop expenses (overhead budget), and individual production budgets; work with Technical Direction Team to track and reconcile expenses and prepare expense receipts
- Collaborate with Scenic Designers, Production Management and CEO to align budgetary aims with design integrity
- Scene Shop & Personnel Management
- Supervise Associate TD, Assistant TD, core Scene Shop crew, and overhire employees
- With Associate TD and IASTE Local 2, hire additional overhire employees for scenic construction, load-in, and strike as needed
- Provide consistent oversight and guidance for construction in the Scene Shop and during load-ins
- Oversee incoming shipments and returns for the Scenic department
- Manage Scene Shop supplies, equipment, inventories, rentals from stock, and space; supervise TD Team and Shop Staff in the maintenance of an organized, clean, safe, well-functioning work environment
- Miscellaneous
- Field requests for special projects from other departments as well as outside organizations; make recommendations regarding special projects to VP of Production and CEO and execute outside projects if and when they are approved
- Additional duties as assigned by VP of Production, Director of Production, or other senior staff member
- Pre-Production
- Read and become thoroughly familiar with the scripts for upcoming productions
- In partnership with other Technical Direction staff, attend and participate in design meetings, production meetings, designer runs, technical rehearsals and, if necessary, preview performances
- Design, Pricing, & Drafting
- Review and interpret scenic designs to assess logistical feasibility, safety, and cost
- Reconcile incongruities between versions of scenic designs and coordinate with the Audio Lighting and Media Supervisor to reconcile incongruities between scenic designs, light and audio plots, and media specifications
- With the help of other TD staff, assign and participate as needed in the creation of technical and construction drawings for Scene Shop crew and other production departments using drafting programs such as AutoCAD
- Purchase all show-specific materials for scenic fabrication and supervise timely inclusion of materials into designs
- Create rigging plots and line set schedules for productions
- Design and create all automation systems, plots, and programming (setting limits and speeds) for productions
- Build & Load In
- Conduct appropriate research to support scenic builds and construction methods as well as the design intention
- Participate in research and development (R&D) of unique scenic elements
- In collaboration with Director of Production, create and adhere to schedules for scenic builds and load-ins
- Expedite production as needed to meet scheduled deadlines
- Directly supervise Scene Shop team, including but not limited to: Associate Technical Director, Assistant Technical Director, Shop Foreman, Carpenters, Painters, Welders and additional overhire employees to delegate, review and track progress of builds, submitting weekly build progress updates to Production Management and CEO
- Consult closely with Shop Foreman and Carpenters on set construction to ensure design integrity and labor efficiency
- Host Scene Shop visits for designers and other creative team members to advance troubleshooting and collaboration
- Collaborate with other departments on planning, execution and installation of cross-departmental technical elements
- Coordinate transportation of scenic elements from Scene Shop to the performance venue for load-in and installation
- Lead shop and stage scenic crew throughout the load-in and installation of each set into the performance venues
- Consistently deliver scenic elements on time and at (or under) budget
- Tech, Previews, and Show Maintenance
- During tech, work with Scenic Designer and TD staff to track, prioritize and execute scenic notes
- Promptly respond to applicable production notes given in Rehearsal or Performance Reports
- Perform routine (weekly, at minimum) safety checks of all scenic elements during performance weeks
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS and ABILITIES- 5 years of professional experience in a scene shop at a regional theatre or commercial production company
- Broad knowledge of and demonstrated advanced skill level in technical theatre, including but not limited to: scenic carpentry and fabrication, scenic electrics, painting, welding, rigging, automation, and drafting (i.e. AutoCAD)
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Excel) or similar applications
- Capacity to oversee multiple projects at once and to approach challenges in a creative and diplomatic manner
- Keen ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment
- 10 years of professional experience in a scene shop at a large regional theatre or commercial production company
- Experience in CNC Toolpathing
- Ability to lift up to forty pounds on occasion
Please submit a cover letter and resume using the online job application at https://paramountaurora.com/opportunities/
You may also email ProductionJobs@paramountarts.com to apply directly.
Or mail/drop off to: Aurora Civic Center Authority, ATTN: Yesenia Esparza, 8 East Galena Blvd., Suite 230, Aurora, IL 60506
ACCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability status, marital or familial status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. ACCA encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, and others who are eager to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
ACCA participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, ACCA is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating the employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
Paramount Theatre - Aurora Civic Center Authority
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