Technical Theater Director

About the project and the company

Annie Wright is seeking a Technical Theater Director to begin on August 22, 2022. This is a full-time position that reports directly to the Director of Arts.

Mission Statement

Annie Wright’s strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative and responsible citizens for a global society.

About AWS

Tradition meets innovation at Annie Wright Schools, where we honor our rich history and traditions, embrace the present, and continue always to move forward. Founded in 1884, Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. The Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12, welcoming students from Tacoma and around the world. We are proud to be an International Baccalaureate World School, delivering IB programs in every division.

Job Description

The Technical Director will be a key collaborative partner in maximizing and maintaining the functionality of the School’s remarkable Kemper Theater facility - a 350 seat proscenium style performing arts center. In addition to hosting signature programs for the School’s PS-Grade 12 level groups and an annual suite of theatre productions featuring student performers, designers, and technicians, the Kemper facility is also open for performing arts groups from the Tacoma area to share their crafts in a uniquely resourced facility. While steering technical direction and management for the facility and its range of scheduled programming, the Technical Director will work closely with the Director of Arts to support and deliver technical theatre and design education for students grades 6-12. Because Annie Wright’s theatre program uniquely brings together Middle & Upper Schools students to connect our community with stories new and old, exploring and inspiring the mediums that make up the art of Theatre is at the heart of our programmatic practice. Position overview: duties & responsibilities The Technical Theater Director: *in conjunction with the Director of Arts, schedules and oversees all events held in the Kemper Center Theater; *provides access, orientation, and general tech support for all facility users, including the Schools’ season of mainstage theatre productions (3 or more depending on scale), special divisional programming and/or experiences, community rentals, and visiting productions; *manages updates, maintenance and repairs of facilities and equipment, including house, stage, greenroom, shop, tech booth, and properties/costume storage, and lighting, sound, rigging, and audio/visual components to systemize and ensure cleanliness, safety, and order for community use across diverse age groups and program types; *in conjunction with the Director of Arts, oversees mainstage production calendar and budget, to include feasible production timelines, vendor/contract billing, procuring production and design materials, and contributing to Kemper Theater budget planning; *collaborates with stage directors to design production concepts to support cohesive and appealing storytelling, including costume, lights, sound, visual, scenic, and properties; *supports design execution through basic construction and fabrication, assembly of materials, rigging and focusing, etc; *trains and instructs student technicians and designers to support production needs through curricular and/or extra-curricular programming in design, basic construction, or general stagecraft skills (this work will be facilitated in up to two instructional activities or classes centered in theater and/or tech theater); *supervises additional facility and/or production technicians as necessary, including contracting, training, and evaluation, and student volunteers providing technical assistance for events in the Theater. 

Required Qualifications

The Technical Theater Director will demonstrate key elements of the listed expertise and experiences. This is an aspirational list and Annie Wright Schools encourages candidates to apply who may not currently possess, but are working on building, all of these qualities. The Technical Theater Director: *holds a Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in technical theater or similar discipline, and/or stagecraft association certificate, and minimum of 2 years of relevant experience; *practices cultural humility in personal and professional interactions; *demonstrates proficiency in the operation of technical theater systems; *has excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills; *has strong organizational and time-management skills; *shows success in engaging with middle and high school aged students; *manages a balance of autonomous and collaborative work; *and, is eligible to work in the United States. Physical Requirements *As a component of basic carpentry, the role relies on physical strength and dexterity needed for daily lifting, operating various tools, and pushing or pulling heavy materials using appropriate machinery. In addition to lifting and operating machinery, this position may be required to climb, stand or bend for extended periods of time. *Flexibility in work hours for a time-intensive program, including irregular and extended evening and weekend programming.

Other details

Application process
Annie Wright Schools remain firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. Annie Wright shall hire, promote, transfer, terminate, and make all other employment related decisions without regard to an employee’s race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political ideology, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Annie Wright Schools are actively seeking to create a more culturally diverse school community and accordingly, applicants of color and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, email and telephone contact information for 3-5 professional references, and this completed and signed application, all in PDF format, to Mrs. Erin Gann, Executive Assistant to the Head of Schools, at erin_gann@aw.org. In accordance with Annie Wright Schools’ strategic focus on issues related to social justice, candidates should anticipate being asked to address how their past work, as well as future contributions, might serve to advance Annie Wright’s commitment to a more diverse and inclusive community. Applications for this position will be accepted until August 10, 2022.