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Assistant Technical Director / Scenery Specialist

Employer
Wesleyan University
Location
Connecticut, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Jun 8, 2022

Job Details

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

Position Details
Wesleyan University is known for its global and experimental perspective on the arts and its innovative integration of the arts into the curriculum and the core of campus life. It seeks to serve as a cultural center for Middletown and the surrounding region, by working in tandem with faculty, students, community members, and artists to elevate the arts as a means of understanding the world. The university’s Arts Production department supports the technical and production needs of the departments of dance, music, theater and art and art history, student groups, and university departments, and Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts’ ( CFA ) which focuses on artistic process and the incubation of original creative work.
Reporting to the Technical Director/ CFA Theater Manager, Arts Production, and working in close collaboration with the Technical Directors of the Theater and Dance Departments, this role is responsible for the realization of theatrical scenery in arts spaces, management of the Arts Production scene shop, and other technical support of the CFA and Wesleyan Arts Departments.
Responsibilities Include:
Scenery Specialist/Master Carpenter ·
  • Lead professional scenic technician for all Arts Production projects. Execution of projects requiring carpentry, welding, rigging, upholstery, and other scenographic skills
  • Master Carpenter for productions of Dance and Theater Departments
  • Ensure all scenic elements are constructed according the highest safety and professional standards
  • Draft and manipulate construction drawings in Vectorworks and Autocad
  • Advise and consult with TDs on specific building materials and prepare material order lists for set builds
  • Create, maintain, and execute within construction budgets for productions
  • Load in/out various masking and floor set ups
  • Oversee and maintain props inventory with student prop manager
  • Occasional scenic painting and electrics maintenance as needed

Scene Shop Manager:
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the CFA Theater scene shop
  • Conduct routine maintenance and upkeep of hand tools, power tools, and rigging system to ensure safe function
  • Conduct routine maintenance and upkeep of CFA Theater stage floor, walls, soft goods, and equipment to maintain aesthetic qualities
  • Manage safety practices in the shop, including training of students and staff in safe operations of tools, fly system, lifts, PPE , and construction techniques
  • Oversee and maintain scene shop material inventory
  • Act as Arts Production liaison to Physical Plant for CFA Theater, when necessary
  • Design and build organizational tools for the shop as needed
  • Facilitate classes and independent coursework held at the CFA Theater and scene shop

Arts Production Assistant Technical Director
  • Attend Arts Production staff, CFA , and departmental production meetings
  • Consultation on technical requirements for Theater and Dance Department designed shows and tech riders for CFA guest artist performances/residencies
  • Train student crew members to operate show related scenery, FX, and rigging
  • Monitor or run shows in key roles such as fly rail, stage carpenter, or deck manager as needed
  • Support props student managers and faculty designers by assisting with pulling, repairing and/or building props as needed
  • Support and consult on CFA /Arts Production/Arts Department events outside of CFA Theater as needed
  • Support other projects as assigned by Technical Director/ CFA Theater Manager


Minimum Qualifications
At least 7 years of professional experience in theatrical carpentry, welding, rigging, and project management from design concept to stage implementation, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Proficiency in theatrical rigging practices is critical. Ability to work nights and weekends as needed, mainly during tech and performance weeks Proficiency in Vectorworks, Adobe suite, Google Apps, and Microsoft Office suite Working knowledge with multiple/modern scenographic materials such as metals, plexiglass, and fabrics Demonstrated experience in working independently and as part of a team. Willingness to work as a theatrical technician outside of the scene shop as assigned when needed. Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and work collegially with individuals of different backgrounds. Strong Communication skills Ability to lift up to 50 lbs with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with hanging lights and video scenographic work and screen materials Familiarity with various arts disciplines outside of theater and site-specific work. Experience working with students and entry level theatrical technicians Sustainable & ecological scenographic practices Familiarity with computer aided fabrication techniques (ie. CNC routing, 3D printing, etc.)

Special Instructions to Applicants
The position is open until filled. For full consideration please apply by July 10, 2022 , when first review of applications will begin.
Additional Information
Any and all offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan requires all employees to be vaccinated against Covid 19 unless they meet the criteria for a medical or religious exemption. New employees must be vaccinated prior to their start date. If an employee needs an exemption for medical or religious reasons, they must submit a request to Wesleyan and be approved before their start date.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504, or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Alison Williams, Vice President for Equity & Inclusion/ Title IX Officer, 860-685-3927, awilliams@wesleyan.edu.

Company

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. 

Our student body of approximately 3,000 undergraduate and 200 graduate students is housed on a beautiful 316-acre historic New England campus that offers the comfort of an intimate and collaborative learning environment supported by renowned faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and unique research opportunities.

With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

At Wesleyan, we are all educators. We welcome your interest in Wesleyan's diverse, energetic community of employees who, by their creativity, innovative thinking, and generosity of spirit, help make Wesleyan a great place to work. In this energetic and inclusive community, our talented faculty and staff foster a liberal arts educational experience characterized by boldness, rigor, and practical idealism. Genuinely open-minded, intellectually curious, and mission-driven, our employees invest their impressive talents in fulfilling careers.

Wesleyan offers a broad range of growth and wellness opportunities—comprehensive health benefitsfitness incentives, generous paid time offretirement plansflexible work schedules, and educational benefits, including free employee access to Wesleyan’s Graduate Liberal Studies program and undergraduate tuition reimbursement for dependents of eligible employees. Benefits-at-a-Glance

Campus life affords employees countless opportunities to experience general-interest, academic, artistic, and athletic events. Our location in scenic central Connecticut provides easy access to Boston, New York, and the many other exciting and culturally rich destinations of New England. Few workplaces are like Wesleyan, and we welcome your interest in learning more about us.

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