Technical Director

The Technical Director is a member of MVT's full-time professional staff, and is directly responsible to the Producing Director. This position is salaried and its status is “exempt” as it relates to overtime pay and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Benefits include health insurance, vacation and sick leave. Coverage is provided for workman's comp and temporary disability.

General Responsibilities:

The Technical Director is responsible for construction of sets for MVT productions and presentations; configuring the theatre's stage and seating areas; maintaining the technical shop area and equipment; storing unused materials, set pieces and seating components; providing general maintenance of the facility; and providing general support of the overall production department of the company. Duties will be performed utilizing theatre volunteers and, as budgetary allocations permit, casual hire assistants. The Technical Director attends staff meetings on a monthly and special basis, and weekly production meetings called by the Associate Producer. These position responsibilities are fulfilled on a full-time work schedule. Set design opportunities can be included for qualified applicants.

Specific Responsibilities:

Planning phase of production: 

•  Read the play
•  Become familiar with the director's concept(s) for that play
•  Obtain ground plan and construction drawings
•  Job cost the set design for materials and labor, and assist the designer in making necessary adjustments to comply with established production budgets and established production schedule
•  Recruit casual hire and volunteers to fulfill the construction phase of the production

Rehearsal/Construction phase of production:

•  Attend production meetings
•  Attend two or more play rehearsals
•  Purchase materials and receive their delivery
•  Reconfigure the stage/audience seating of the theatre in accordance with pre-approved configuration decisions, and paint audience spaces (stairs, floor, platforms)
•  Construct the stage and set for the production and setup offstage and backstage areas to be utilized by cast & crew in the running of the show
•  Assist the guest set designer with set painting as needed
•  Keep the guest director and Associate Producer informed on the progress of the physical production including delays and potential problems
•  Assist in the acquisition and transport of borrowed furniture, set pieces, and equipment needed for the production
•  Assure readiness of the stage/set for play rehearsals to move onto the stage as scheduled, with particular concern for actor/crew/production personnel safety, in all offstage areas including backstage, control booth, crossover and entrance areas

Tech Week and Performances: 

•  Setup any necessary technical equipment needed for technical rehearsals
•  Attend and observe all technical rehearsals unless specifically released by the Associate Producer
•  Obtain directors notes and designer notes applicable to the set and the stage/set/backstage environs
•  Serve as technical/facility liaison for all production departments
•  Help familiarize and train production crew members in the “workings” of the set and stage environs
•  Assure readiness of the audience seating/stairs prior to running the house for dress rehearsals or performances
•  Be in attendance at the theatre on Opening Night and attend the post-performance reception as a member of the theatre's professional staff
•  Monitor daily the condition of the set and audience areas of the theatre during performances, and maintain communication/notes with the stage manager regarding any issues involving the physical show

Post performances:

•  Assist in the return of borrowed furniture, set pieces, and equipment that were acquired for the production
•  Strike the set and revert to stock those materials/items which can be reused for future productions
•  Attend post production evaluations as needed

Remuneration:

The Technical Director is remunerated on an annual salary. Payroll is disbursed semi-monthly.

Application process:

Applications may be submitted by mail or email and should include a resume of applicable work experience and references, and a cover letter. All applications will be acknowledged. The position is open until filled.

About Manoa Valley Theatre

Manoa Valley Theatre is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt semi-professional theatre organization which been operating continuously since 1969. It produces an annual mainstage season of six productions in an intimate and flexible 175-seat, black box theatre. Play selections typically are drawn from recent Off-Broadway and Broadway seasons and include musicals, comedies and dramas. From time to time, special presentations are produced in a studio series between mainstage productions or on dark nights during the run of mainstage plays. The theatre is in production year-round, with a new play opening every other month, and each play being presented between 15 and 30 performances. The annual play production season begins in September. The theatre is run by a professional staff of seven full-time and three part-time employees, and utilizes community volunteers in all areas of its operations.

Manoa Valley Theatre is a member of the American Association of Community Theatres (charter member), (Hawaii) Alliance for Drama Education, and Hawaii State Theatre Council.

MVT is an equal opportunity employer.