Sound Engineer Job at Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, United States, 20022
The Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and values of our organization. Our recruitment process strives to be interactive, accessible, and responsive. Once employed, the Folger provides a generous compensation, leave, and benefits package, as well as many opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Job Description:
Sound Engineer, Folger Theatre
Home to the world's largest Shakespeare collection, Folger Shakespeare Library is a world-class center for scholarship, learning, culture, and the arts. Folger Theatre is a not-for-profit AEA company that produces a full season of plays by Shakespeare and other world-class playwrights. The 2024/25 season productions unite under the theme "Whose Democracy".
Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is seeking a skilled Sound Engineer (SE) to join a dynamic and engaging Production team for the 2024/25 season productions.
The Sound Engineer is responsible for assisting the Production Manager/Technical Director, Assistant Technical Director (ATD), and Audio-Visual Specialist in coordinating the creation, maintenance, and running of sound and audio aspects around Folger Theatre productions and Folger Music concerts. There are additional opportunities available in O.B. Hardison Poetry Series readings, humanities lectures, conversations, and programming in new spaces. The SE will be integral in the creation and installation of theatrical productions, collaborating with design and creative teams, coordinating the installation of sound elements. This position will have a key role in the process for recording performances at the Folger to be housed in the Folger Collection. This position reports to the Production Manager/Technical Director and is an exciting opportunity for a team player to invest in a dynamic company.
The production dates are below and subject to change:
Production 3: A Room in the Castle February 26 - April 6 or 13, 2025 To Be Confirmed
Production 4: Twelfth Night May 6- June 22 or 29, 2025
Folger Theatre is a professional AEA theater which prohibits discrimination of any kind. We are committed to diversity and creating a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace full of arts practitioners from all ethnicities, gender identities, ages, and disabilities. We strive for our stages and staff to mirror the wonderfully diverse community in which we live. We promise to intentionally take steps in building a more equitable artistic community and encourage you to check out the work that the Folger Shakespeare Library and Folger Theatre are doing to support this.
Health & safety: The health and well-being of all staff, contractors, and visitors is our top priority. While the Folger no longer requires masks or vaccinations (except for AEA spaces), we support and encourage individuals to take the safety precautions they are most comfortable with, and we ask that individual choices are respected. As we wrap up construction and move to work more consistently on-site this summer, the Folger will continue to review and update polices, in conversation with our staff.
Compensation:
- This position is a weekly-paid position, at a rate of $25/hour.
- This role has the ability to earn overtime pay. Overtime is 1.5x the pay rate for all hours worked over 40 in one week.
Duties:
- Supports and advises the Sound Designer (SD), Production Manager/Technical Director, ATD, and Audio-Visual Specialist in the sound equipment load-in and out for the production.
- Programs sound cues into QLab as directed.
- Maintains design integrity throughout runs through daily checks and maintenance of the sound system.
- Prepares soundboards and equipment for performances and events.
- Runs sound for all technical rehearsals, previews, and performances (run crew).
- Creates live sound mixes for productions and events, as necessary.
- Partners with Audio-Visual Specialist to maintain, repair, and troubleshoot sound equipment, wired and wireless intercom systems and auxiliary audio systems (dressing room monitors, assisted listening devices, etc.).
- Ensures safe and conscientious working conditions and environments.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Must have 2+ years of theater experience, including running crews.
- Comprehensive knowledge of theatrical sound technologies, processes, and equipment is required.
- Must have previous experience in technical theatrical sound, rigging, and safety.
- Experience with power distribution, wireless frequency coordination, digital audio consoles, theatrical networking, low voltage electronics, and video routing is required.
- Experience with the following systems required: ClearCom; Qlab; Ableton Live, Cubase, or other standard DAW; Office; Shure Wireless Workbench.
- Must have strong interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to problem-solve and take initiative is required.
- Must have strong organization, communication, and multi-tasking skills.
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment is necessary.
- Local DMV residency strongly preferred (transit and housing are not provided).
Physical Requirements:
This job operates in a professional theatre environment, and the employee may be exposed to various components of a theatrical environment such as florescent lighting, low light environment, strobing light effects, atmospheric effects, pollen, dust, recycled air, cooling fans, semi-enclosed areas, central heating, seasonal warmer temperatures, and office noise. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
- This position is highly mobile. Candidates are required to have the ability to be on feet for extended periods, regularly use stairs, bend, kneel, climb, stoop, push, pull, and lift up to 50 pounds.
- Candidates must also have the capacity to communicate, in person, or using video, phone, or electronic communication methods, in a manner which can be understood by others.
Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. No phone calls please.
The Folger is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To learn more about our benefits, please click here.