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Colgate Universitys Department of Theater seeks a full time Technical Director and Senior Lecturer in Stagecraft beginning July 1, 2025 to join a dynamic team of professional artists and educators.

The Technical Director (TD) coordinates and manages all aspects of production for the Department of Theater, which produces up to four theater and dance main stage productions each year, along with student and visiting artist events. Together with the Assistant Technical Director, the TD oversees all scenic, electrics, and sound/video equipment; manages the Departments facilities and production builds; works with visiting designers; supervises an Assistant Technical Director and occasional overhire labor; and recruits and trains work-study staff. The TD acts as a principal carpenter, props supervisor, and scenic artist on all builds, and instructs student labor of varied skill levels. The TD also teaches one Stagecraft course per semester and mentors students with an interest in technical theater, including student stage managers.

The TD collaborates with the Theater Production and Operations Manager and the Chair of the Department of Theater on scheduling the production season and planning production budgets. In addition, the TD prepares all necessary production paperwork, including production calendars and construction drawings; schedules work calls; and oversees purchasing of all materials. Together with the ATD, the TD provides support for other University events sponsored by the Department of Theater, and any other events that take place in the Department of Theaters facilities. The TD is responsible for safety oversight and guidance for all technical areas of the Departments operation, and for planning and budgeting annual facilities upgrades. 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.

Colgate is a highly selective liberal arts university of 3,200 students situated in central New York state. Colgate faculty are committed to excellence in both teaching and scholarship. Further information about the Theater department can be found here. Applicants with dual-career considerations can find postings of other employment opportunities at Colgate and at other institutions of higher education in upstate New York at this website.

Salary Range or Pay Grade

$75,000 - $78,000 Requirements

An M.F.A. in Technical Theater or a closely related field is preferred. Candidates with a B.F.A., B.A., or B.S. degree and at least five years of professional experience in technical direction will also be considered. Excellent communication and organizational skills are required. The candidate should be knowledgeable and have experience in more than one area of production, including scenic construction. Experience working with students and/or staff of varying skill sets is desirable. Candidates should describe in their cover letter how their teaching or professional experience and mentorship might support the universitys commitment to diversity and inclusion.

How to Apply

Applications materials must be submitted through Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/164603. Review of applications will begin April 11, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled. Please provide a cover letter, resume, and names of three references.

Campus Crime Reporting and Statistics

The Department of Campus Safety at Colgate University will provide upon request a copy of Colgates Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page here. Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu.

Qualifications

Accountabilities

• Primarily accountable for accurate and timely execution of all technical elements of productions in the Brehmer Theater.


• Develops and adheres to budgets for all production elements, except costumes.


• Ensures proper maintenance and operation of all scene shop tools and theater systems (rigging, sound, and lighting) in accordance with relevant safety protocols.


• Responsible for procurement of key supplies (lumber, paint, building supplies, properties) as needed.


• Ensures proper training and effective supervision of newly hired technicians, student workers and laboratory students.


• Accountable for effective scheduling and coverage of technicians for all events taking place in Brehmer Theater.


• Accountable for adherence to Colgate Universitys Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) that defines the universitys laboratory safety policies, practices, and procedures to ensure a safe learning environment for students, staff and faculty.


• Accountable for staying current with relevant regulations (e.g. health, safety, care, and otherwise).


• Participates in all academic meetings in the Department of Theater and Dance. Submits and reviews recommendations on facility and instructional improvements.

Technical Competencies

• Instructional Support Demonstrated ability to train and supervise student labor of varied skill levels in the use of theater technology.


• Workshop Skills Demonstrated ability to build scenery and props utilizing traditional theatrical woodworking techniques and knowledge of tool safety.


• Workshop Support Demonstrated ability to organize the shop environment and effectively manage inventory levels of materials and supplies. Ability to diagnose problems with key theater equipment and arrange for proper repairs and maintenance.


• Technical Direction Demonstrated expertise in all areas of stagecraft sufficient to effectively plan and execute scenic, lighting, property, video, and sound designs.


• Budget Management Demonstrated ability to provide accurate and timely cost projections for scenic, lighting, projection, and sound designs.


• Adherence to Deadlines Demonstrated ability to adhere to production schedules.


• Rigging Demonstrated ability to safely and efficiently suspend scenic and lighting equipment overhead.


• Technology Familiarity with design-specific software (including ETC Ion lighting console, QLab, AutoCad and/or Vectorworks, Adobe Photoshop) sufficient to navigate, train others, provide access, and perform simple troubleshooting activities.


• Regulatory Safety Knowledge Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a safe, efficient production workshop environment. Demonstrated ability to enforce Occupational Safety and


• Health Administration (OSHA) regulations as they pertain to theater practice; to enforce the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), as needed; and adherence to standard theater chemical, physical, and environmental Hazard Communication (HAZ-COM) practices.


• Physical Requirements Must be able to work independently, climb ladders to a height of 24 feet, and lift objects of up to 50 lbs.


• Other Information Valid Driver's License is required. Evening and weekend work will be necessary on occasion.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Policy Statement

It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veterans status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, being or having been victims of domestic violence or stalking, familial status, or any other categories covered by law. Colgate is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Candidates from historically underrepresented groups, women, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.