Staff: Part-Time - Theater Technical Director
Part-Time - Theater Technical Director
Saint John’s High School | Shrewsbury, MA
Application Deadline: September 20
MISSION
A Saint John’s Catholic education is rooted in the commitment of the Xaverian Brothers to bring Christ to life in young men. Our students develop a love of learning through a college preparatory academic and co-curricular program embracing both tradition and innovation. Saint John's fosters the formation of the whole person: spiritual, social, physical, intellectual, creative, and aesthetic.
We call our community to live out the Xaverian values of zeal, humility, simplicity, trust, and compassion. Saint John’s creates an atmosphere of interdependence, respect, inclusion, and personal responsibility in a community where we mutually help, encourage, and edify each other to develop relationships that transcend time. We aim to send forth young men who will use their God-given talents to transform their community, their nation, and their world.
In the tradition of its Xaverian founders, Saint John's High School is committed to providing opportunities for families in need, students from a diversity of backgrounds, and for the poor and marginalized.
THE POSITION
The Technical Director’s primary focus and responsibility is to help support theater rentals and technical needs for Saint John’s High School productions, camps, and outreach activities. This includes planning, scheduling, engineering, executing, and supervising to ensure the safe, efficient, and timely production of all performance events as well as ensure the accurate construction and implementation of designs in line with the artistic vision and allocated resources. Working in collaboration with members of the Fine Arts Department, the Events Manager, and the administration, the Technical Director plays a key role in cultivating a culture that is positive, efficient, inclusive, educational, and collaborative. This is a 10-month, part-time position. Flexibility to work nights and weekends with a varying shift schedule is required. The position is guaranteed 20 hours per week with the exception of vacation and holiday weeks. Additional hours may be available given the requirements of a particular week. Summer hours may be available.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist in overseeing and executing technical aspects for at least three full-scale high school productions, typically including one proscenium musical, one proscenium play, and one black box play.
- Assist in overseeing and executing technical aspects for at least one middle school black box play.
- Assist in providing technical support for Fine Arts Department events including concerts, productions, festivals, and art installations. (10 or so over the academic year)
- Assist in training and supervising the student crew regularly in the scene shop after school, executing scenic designs, lighting, and sound for school and outside events.
- Provide on-site tech support for significant school events in the theatre spaces.
- Engage in recruitment and retention of student crew.
- Be a positive collaborator within the Fine Arts Department to sustain and continue the growth of the overall Fine Arts Program.
- Take an interest in the larger school community and take an active role in engaging with key stakeholders.
- Act as the in-house technician for theatre rentals on campus, executing lighting, sound, and facilities needs.
- Act as the day of rental liaison for theatre rentals, maintaining a safe and positive rental experience throughout the facility.
- Prep theatre and affiliated areas for rentals including fulfilling previously agreed upon theatre/lobby needs and signage.
- Assist in processing tech-specific requests and conversations pre-rental.
- Follow up with the Theatre Coordinator post-rental to debrief and establish appropriate rental charges.
- Collaborate with the Buildings and Grounds Department on a safe and successful rental experience for the school and the renter.
- Assist in providing yearly and ongoing maintenance of all theatre facilities and equipment. This includes but is not limited to stages, houses, the scene shops, dressing rooms, lighting, sound, and projection systems.
- Assist in advising and coordinating outside service for theatre facilities as required.
- Assist in collaborating with the Department of Buildings and Grounds on other required maintenance and inspections to maintain the safe and effective operation of all theatre facilities.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:
- BA/BFA in Technical Theatre or related field or proven experience in the field
- Lift 75 pounds
- Proficiency in executing one or more of the following disciplines: Sound, Lighting, Scenery, and Projection
- Ability to help maintain a clean, safe, and organized working environment and equipment
- Ability to work at heights and in confined areas
- Ability to work for prolonged hours at a time both sitting and standing
- Passion to work with middle school and high school-age students
- Excellent organizational, problem solving and leadership skills
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Ability to multi-task
- Strong collaborative skills and the ability to easily adapt to changing production needs
Ability to maintain professionalism and work through conflict in high-stress situations - Outstanding public relations and written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to safeguard facilities, equipment, and individuals in a collaborative way
- Flexibility to work nights and weekends with a varying shift schedule
- Ability to work within and maximize a budget
- Intercultural awareness and competency
- Candidates must be able to support the mission of Saint John’s as a Catholic institution in the Xaverian Tradition and be able to articulate those benefits to the public.
ADDITIONAL DESIRED REQUIREMENTS:
- 5 or more years of experience in a technical theatre field
- Proficiency in basic rigging
- A general understanding of music and instrumentation
- A general understanding of dance and its technical requirements
- Experience in basic costume techniques and design
- Experience in basic prop creation techniques and design
- Basic proficiency with Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Drive, and Zoom
- High level of proficiency with ETC Element lighting console
- High level of proficiency with Behringer X32 audio console
- High level of awareness of current technical theatre trends and equipment
- Proven success working in an educational setting
- Strong understanding and continued desire to learn current DEIB best practices
- Constant desire for growth both personally and professionally
INTERVIEW PROCESS:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter of interest, resume, and a list of three employment references to the attention of Nathan Colby, Theater Coordinator of Saint John’s High School, to employment@stjohnshigh.org by September 20, 2024.
Salary will be competitive with schools and other non-profits of a similar size. In addition to common employee benefits including health insurance subsidized by Saint John’s and a 403(b) plan, the school also provides a generous tuition remission program for children of employees.
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Saint John’s High School is a six-year college preparatory school for young men. Founded by the Xaverian Brothers in 1898, Saint John’s remains committed to the Xaverian educational philosophy as a Catholic educational institution. This commitment includes respect for the dignity of all through our foundational belief that individuals are created uniquely in the image and likeness of God and, as expressed in the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers:
“You were created by the God of love...to be a unique expression of that love. It is through you that God desires to manifest Love to the people of the world in these times and to offer them the freedom of the children of God.”
Our mission, founded in our Catholic faith and inspired by the vision and values of the Xaverian Brothers, calls us to prepare our students and graduates to live and work with, and also respect and appreciate individual differences and those that comprise the larger community. As a result of this mission-driven commitment, Saint John’s High School is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to all federal and Massachusetts laws concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action in the workplace.
