Production Manager

About the project and the company

Find complete description here:

https://www.soundtheatrecompany.org/work-with-us/

OVERVIEW: Sound Theatre Company seeks a Production Manager (PM) to optimize production processes and resources in service of the organization’s mission to empower artists to give voice to the dignity and diversity of the human experience–moving audiences toward a more just and compassionate world. We strongly encourage applicants from communities that are underrepresented in American Theatre and Arts Administration. To that end, we want to highlight that if you do not have experience in some of the areas listed, please apply anyway!

ORGANIZATION HISTORY: Sound Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, founded in 2006. We typically stage two to three fully produced projects per season alongside experimental and new works programming. Around 2015, Sound Theatre shifted toward a social justice focus in response to similar efforts by the City of Seattle. While Sound Theatre has historically been perceived as being a more-resourced organization than it actually is, we have primarily functioned as a volunteer-run organization until beginning a professionalization process in 2019. Sound Theatre continues working toward equitable compensation for staff and guest artists, and as of January 2021, we maintain a paid, eight-person permanent staff. As the organization plans its growth into a deeply intersectional and accessible theatre producer, we are proud to center accessibility in our work and invite the challenges necessary to grow authentically. With the invaluable guidance of our accessibility coordinator, we are enlivened by the possibilities of a more accessible tomorrow.

POSITION HISTORY & TRAJECTORY: Sound Theatre’s PM position was created in 2015. It started as a stipend volunteer position until transitioning to a part-time hourly position in December 2019. The applicant hired for this opening would be Sound Theatre’s fifth PM since the role was created. As the organization continues to grow and professionalize, the PM may acquire additional managerial responsibilities, with corresponding increases in hourly compensation and weekly work hours allotted. While the PM would begin at 30 hours per week, the hope of the organization is that this position would transition into a full-time role within the next 1-3 years. Sound Theatre’s goal is for the production department to expand into a two-person team over the next 1-3 years. Potential models could include: a two-person co-PM team, a PM + Associate PM, a PM + Company Manager, PM + Technical Director, etc. The PM will have input in how this team is developed and hired.

Job Description

OVERVIEW: Sound Theatre Company seeks a Production Manager (PM) to optimize production processes and resources in service of the organization’s mission to empower artists to give voice to the dignity and diversity of the human experience–moving audiences toward a more just and compassionate world. We strongly encourage applicants from communities that are underrepresented in American Theatre and Arts Administration. To that end, we want to highlight that if you do not have experience in some of the areas listed, please apply anyway!

Required Qualifications

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: ● Scheduling: In collaboration with Co-Artistic Directors, the PM maintains, distributes, and updates schedules for rehearsals, build, load-in, performance, and strike of each production. PM develops and administers production calendars and design deadlines for each production, including scheduling all design and production meetings. PM will submit requests for rehearsal space and communicate locations to all necessary parties. ● Managing of Personnel: In collaboration with Co-Artistic Directors and other guest artists, the PM is responsible for hiring, onboarding, and supervising artists per the needs of the production. This includes, but is not limited to, designers, stage managers, assistant stage managers, sound board operators, and dressers. The PM also leads production meetings, and ensures that notes are taken and distributed promptly. ● Technical Support: The PM is expected to oversee load-in efforts, technical and dress rehearsals, and previews. Support can include communicating with department staff and designers regarding volunteer and schedule needs and working to fulfill those needs. It may also include attending rehearsals and load-in as available to act as a resource for department staff and designers should an unscheduled need arise. ● Space Management: The PM acts as the liaison with rental agencies from which Sound rents rehearsal and performances spaces. The PM is responsible for overseeing the proper use and cleanliness of the spaces so that they may return to the rental agency better than they were received. The PM is also responsible for coordinating walk-throughs of the space and managing who holds the keys for the space. ● Internal Documentation: The PM will be responsible for collecting conflicts and contact information from the actors and designers to create a contact sheet and schedule for each production process. These documents will initially be maintained and distributed by the PM until the stage manager begins their contract. ● Contracting: The PM creates, distributes, collects, and archives contracts and necessary tax documents for all guest artists. Along with the Business Manager, the PM will also facilitate payment distribution at the close of each project. ● Finances: The PM is responsible for tracking the budgets for each project along with the Co-Artistic Directors and Business Manager. This includes collecting receipts,

Desired Qualifications

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: ● Audition Support: The PM may be asked to assist the Co-Artistic Directors and production directors in scheduling and holding auditions and callbacks. This may also include auditing the auditions/callbacks or finding volunteers to greet auditionees. ● Storage and Inventory: The PM will oversee the maintenance, cleaning, and restocking of props, costumes, and other inventory to the storage unit in SODO. ● Staff Meetings: The PM attends weekly all-staff, production, and anti-racism meetings. ● Accessibility: The PM will be in frequent collaboration with the accessibility coordinator to identify and ensure access needs are centered in communications and decision making. ● Virtual/Digital Project Support: The PM may support with purchasing, troubleshooting, and/or transporting equipment and software for virtual projects.

Other details

SCHEDULE:
The PM will work an average of 30 hours per week. Actual hours worked per week can range
from 10 to 40+ hours, depending primarily on what stage of production a project is in. Most work
will take place Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm PST, with additional
evening and weekend hours taking place when in production. If the PM holds other professional
and/or personal obligations outside of their work with Sound Theatre, there may be flexibility to
schedule around such commitments.

KEY COLLABORATORS:
The PM works closely with the Co-Artistic Directors, Business Manager, and Accessibility
Coordinator. The PM also interfaces with contracted artists, including directors, designers, stage
managers, and actors.CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEXT PM MAY INCLUDE:
● An intersectional commitment to anti-oppressive practices, including but not limited to
anti-racism, disability justice, accessibility, and decolonization frameworks.
● A passion for optimizing resources and processes toward a more human-centered,
sustainable approach to theatre production.
● A curious, experimental attitude around reimagining “traditional” theatre practices.
● Excellent organization and problem-solving skills.
● Clear and transparent communication skills across multiple mediums, with an emphasis
on respectful interactions with collaborators who hold different identities and lived
experiences.
● An understanding of and/or experience with theatre production roles such as production
management, stage management, company management, technical direction, scenic
construction/painting, costuming, lighting, sound/audio, etc.
● Familiarity with documentation and project management applications such as Microsoft
Office, G Suite (Google), and/or Smartsheet.
● Knowledge of COVID safety procedures is a plus. Sound Theatre can also pay for the
PM to participate in a COVID compliance training.

WORKING CONDITIONS & LOCATIONS:
Due to COVID-19, this position will start off as primarily remote, with occasional in-person
involvement following state and local safety guidelines. Eventually, the PM may shift to working
mostly at the Sound Theatre office, located on the second floor of the Jack Straw Cultural
Center Offices in the University District. The open office space is shared with one other
organization, and there is an elevator and accessible bathroom. There is no kitchen/break room,
although there is a small refrigerator and microwave.
Other work locations may include but are not limited to: rehearsal venues, performance venues,
and the SODO storage unit. Depending on the needs of the employee and contingent on
demonstrated strong performance, some remote work may be an option. A computer device is
necessary for this position. If the PM does not have access to a personal computer, Sound
Theatre can provide one.

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
The PM may need to navigate non-ADA compliant spaces, including spaces accessible only by
stairs and/or ladders. The PM may need to problem-solve lifting and transporting objects up to
50 lbs (for example: ladders, boxes, furniture). The PM is responsible for their personal
transportation, and access to a car is a plus. In the future, Sound Theatre hopes to offer the
option of delegating physically demanding tasks in order to make this role accessible to more
applicants.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please submit a resume and brief expression of intent in any format (written, video, audio, etc.)
addressing your interest in the position and relevant skills to Co-Artistic Director Jay
O’Leary-Woods at artistic@soundtheatrecompany.org using the subject line “LAST NAME -
Application - Production Manager.”

HIRING PROCESS:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received by
Friday May 21, 2021. Materials will first be reviewed by the Co-Artistic Directors, followed by a
second round including the Business Manager, Associate PM and any other available staff.
After reviewing applications, select candidates will move forward to a Zoom or Google Meet
interview with the Co-Artistic Directors. A partial set of interview questions will be shared in
advance, and auto-captioning and/or ASL interpretation can be provided upon request. Please
note that interviews will be recorded for internal purposes so that Sound Theatre staff members
can review and provide feedback to the Co-Artistic Directors.
After initial interviews, select candidates may be asked to provide professional and/or peer
references, if available. Candidates will also participate in a “reverse interview” with all available
staff members, excluding Co-Artistic Directors. This conversation is intended to give applicants
the opportunity to ask current staff members candid questions about Sound Theatre’s work
culture and history. Information shared in these meetings will remain confidential, and will have
no impact on an applicant’s candidacy.
An offer is expected to be made in early June 2021, with an ideal start date of June 14, 2021.
However, the position will remain open until successfully filled.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If more in-depth background about the PM position is desired, applicants are welcome to reach
out to outgoing PM, Malie Fujii, at production@soundtheatrecompany.org until her last day on
May 30, 2021. Please note that this is purely for informational purposes, and Malie has no
involvement with the hiring process for the incoming PM.
Sound Theatre Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity organization. All qualified
candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex,
sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, protected
veteran or disability status or any factor prohibited by law. We strongly encourage applications
from members of underrepresented groups.