Designer/Technical Director
Randolph-Macon College, a liberal arts college in Ashland, Virginia, invites applications for a full-time Designer/Technical Director for the Theatre Program, position to begin in August 2025. This is a 10-month Staff with Faculty Rank position.
The Designer/Technical Director coordinates and manages all aspects of production for the Theatre Program. In addition, this position will provide technical support for all events in the Cobb-Kesler Theater and Haun Hall and for events sponsored by the Department of Arts in Blackwell Auditorium. The Center for the Performing Arts is a multi-venue facility consisting of the 630-seat Blackwell Auditorium, a 100-seat Black Box Theater, and a music rehearsal and performance space.
Responsibilities:
- Teach two courses in the theatre program each year. Courses taught may include Stagecraft and Theatre Technology, or Intro to Design, dependent on applicant’s expertise and interest, and departmental needs.
- Supervise scenic, lighting, sound, and video design and production for the Theatre Program’s 3-4 productions each year.
- Oversee the scene shop and maintain scenic, electrics, sound, and video equipment in the Cobb-Kesler Theater.
- Coordinate and collaborate as appropriate with Blackwell Auditorium staff on electrics, sound, and video equipment in Blackwell Auditorium.
- Demonstrate and teach proficiency in Computer-Assisted Design and Drafting and related technologies. Randolph-Macon College uses and teaches Vectorworks software.
- Collaborate with faculty in the Department of Arts and with other users and staff of the Center for Performing Arts to develop the production season schedule.
- Design scenery and/or lighting, or work with visiting designers.
- Participate in all technical rehearsals, production meetings, and work calls for Department of Arts productions as needed.
- Submit and manage production budgets and prepare all necessary production paperwork, including production calendars and construction drawings.
- Oversee purchasing of all materials.
- Serve as principal carpenter, props supervisor, and scenic artist on all Department of Arts productions.
- Hire and oversee student workers in Theatre program.
- Engage in Theatre program-related service and season planning.
- Supervise and train students of varied skill levels in technical and construction techniques.
- Be responsible for safety oversight and guidance for all technical areas of the Department’s operation, and for planning and budgeting facilities upgrades.
- Enforce Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations as they pertain to theatre practice; to enforce the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as needed; to adhere to standard theatre chemical, physical, and environmental Hazard Communication (HAZ-COM) practices.
- Be available for evening and weekend work as required.
- Be able to work independently, work on ladders or lifts to a height of 24 feet, and lift objects of up to 50 lbs.
Qualifications:
- An M.F.A. in Technical Theatre or a related field is highly desirable.
- B.F.A., B.A., or B.S. degree and preferably five years of professional experience in technical direction will be considered.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills are required.
- The candidate should be knowledgeable and have experience in more than one area of production.
- Experience working with students and/or staff of varying skill sets is essential.
- The ideal candidate for this position is a technical theater generalist, with a wide range of skills and interests, and a commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate students in a liberal arts context.
The College:
Founded in 1830, Randolph-Macon has approximately 1650 students and is located in Ashland, VA, a residential community 15 miles north of Richmond and 90 miles south of Washington D.C., thereby offering all the benefits of a dynamic metropolitan area which serves as the state capital for its students, faculty and staff. Over 85% of students reside on campus. For more information about the College see www.rmc.edu.
Randolph-Macon College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.
Application:
To apply for the position, submit the following documents to https://bit.ly/4nynnzU in Microsoft Word or PDF format: a current CV, cover letter addressing the position responsibilities and qualifications, and contact information for two professional references to Sharon Jackson, Director of Human Resources. The review and interview process will commence as strong applications are received, and the search will remain open until the position is filled.