The Catholic University of America

The Technical Director (TD) supervises the scene shop and the building and painting of all sets, hanging, and focusing all lights, and setup and testing of all sound systems for all of the Rome School’s productions, including Drama, Musical Theatre, and Vocal Performance shows. The TD helps identify potential part-time staff and works with all outside  and internal designers. The TD supervises part time staff, Work Study and hourly student workers and students completing crew credits. The TD trains all personnel working in the shop and backstage and maintains a safe working space.

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $50,000-$60,000.

• Staff & Student Management
  
  • The Technical Director will hire, train, schedule, and supervise a team of 12-16 student workers. This includes managing their work hours, budgets, and timesheets, as well as assigning tasks and ensuring professional conduct. 
• Safety & Facility Oversight
  • A primary duty is to ensure a safe environment in the scene shop and all performance spaces. The Technical Director will directly supervise high-risk activities like rigging, maintain all shop equipment, track tools and inventory, and coordinate the safe disposal of hazardous materials.
• Production Management & Execution
  
  • The Technical Director will lead the technical production process from start to finish. 
  • This involves:
    • Translating designs into construction-ready drawings.
    • Budgeting and purchasing materials for all productions.
    • Supervising the construction of scenery, the hanging of lights, and the setup of sound equipment.
    • Running technical rehearsals to ensure scene changes are safe and efficient.
    • Organizing and overseeing the "strike" (dismantling) of each show
• Administrative & Financial Duties
  
  • The Technical Director will manage multiple budgets, including the main shop budget, individual show budgets, and student labor funds. This individual is also responsible for scheduling the theatre spaces for both university productions and outside rentals, which includes negotiating technical needs and staffing for those events.

Here are the qualifications for a Technical Director (TD) reformatted into bullet points:

• The Technical Director (TD) must be able to support all technical aspects of a theatre production.

• The TD is responsible for all technology and special equipment used in the scene shop and backstage to bring production designs to life.

• A key responsibility is training staff and students on the safe use of all theatre and shop equipment.

The TD should also understand electrical wiring and how to manage it, with duties that include:

• Maintaining all wiring, outlets, and electrical equipment.

• Hanging and focusing lights for productions.

• Identifying and fixing electrical problems with lighting instruments and dimmers.

• Collaborating with the Production Manager to resolve complex or dangerous electrical issues.

Specifically for the Rome School, the TD must:

• Know how to use and maintain all machinery and equipment in the Scene Shop and backstage areas.

• Understand the computer programs used to run technical systems.
• Have a basic understanding of projection equipment.
• Execute the designs for all productions.
• Supervise and train staff and students.