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TITLE: Technical Director
DEPARTMENT: Production
GRADE: Full-time – 32-38 weeks, Benefits eligible
SALARY: $50-$60k
FLSA: Exempt
START DATE: As early as December 1, 2026.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Smuin Contemporary Ballet (Smuin Ballet) is hiring an experienced Technical Director for productions.  The Technical Director is an integral member of a 4-person production team and reports directly to the Production Director.  This role primarily oversees the technical stage elements of all Smuin Ballet productions, while also supporting the production department with touring and external rentals. An ideal candidate has a strong background in theater production and management, technical design and implementation skills, and team leadership skills.

To facilitate a smooth transition, Smuin Ballet would like to have the successful candidate join the crew and shadow our outgoing TD for three (3) key production events in the 26/27 season, before the full-time position start date of July 19, 2027.  These three productions equate to 12 weeks of work minimum.

COMPANY:

Founded in 1994 by Tony and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Michael Smuin, Smuin Contemporary Ballet is dedicated to advancing the art of ballet by marrying classical forms with contemporary dance. To that end, Smuin collaborates with choreographers from around the world, commissioning new works and embracing bold ideas, while also honoring the past. Now under the direction of Amy Seiwert, the Company continues its history of innovation in dance, lifting up new voices and providing space for artists to push their creative habits. More than 30,000 people enjoy Smuin performances each season, performing more than 60 shows during its regular season in San Francisco, Walnut Creek, and Mountain View. Smuin is one of Northern California’s leading nonprofit dance companies, cementing its place at the forefront of the Bay Area arts scene.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as primary technical coordinator for all productions in Smuin Ballet’s regular season which typically plays in houses across the Bay Area, and for any touring productions including smaller runouts and tours nationally and internationally.
• Manage truck loading / unloading, theater load-in, and set-up and load-out of scenery.
• Oversee construction or procurement of sets and properties for productions, as needed.
• Act as an Assistant Stage Manager on deck, as needed.
• Operate consoles for lighting and sound during production, as needed.
• Work with the Production Director to develop and maintain season production calendars and resource plans for all productions for Smuin Ballet.
• Maintain and provide to Production Director detailed notes on floors, scenery, and props specific to each ballet, venue, and production.
• Serve as primary liaison between production staff and Over Hire Crew to coordinate all production personnel needs.
• Work with the Production Director to accurately schedule, direct and supervise the IATSE crew during all prep/load-in/load-out for all productions.
• In collaboration with Production department: Operate as a liaison between production staff and IATSE crew during load-in to facilitate and organize needs between departments.
• In collaboration with Production department: Facilitate scenic construction, rigging, and installation of all technical elements (sets, lighting, sound, projections, sprung dance floor, Marley, etc.).
• In collaboration with Production department: Interpret scenic, lighting, and AV designs, and assess technical requirements, identifying and resolving potential challenges.
• Organize, drive and / or supervise all transportation of scenic elements from the warehouse to theater and between theaters, including ability to drive a 26’ box truck.
• Manage and oversee the installation, strike, care, and storage of multiple Marley floors used for production and class on tour.
• Warehouse:
  • In collaboration with Production department: Maintain warehouse space, shop equipment, and inventory of technical supplies, soft goods, and show scenery.
  • In collaboration with Production department: maintain, store, and inventory production props.
  • Coordinate access to Warehouse for deliveries, rentals, and pickups.
• Rentals:
  • Act as “Manager on Duty” or hire personnel for all scenic and prop rentals; be on-site tech support, and provide general help, as needed.
  • Manage crew, provide cost estimates and technical feedback to production director for rental customers as needed.
  • Organize and facilitate rentals of Smuin Ballet equipment as it pertains to Marely and ballet barre inventory.
• Other duties as assigned.
• All work should be performed with a direct reflection of the mission and values of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to lift 60lbs, walk up and down flights of stairs to access production booths, stand for extended hours during production week, comfortable with ladder heights and scaffolding.
• Interface with a computer to create and edit documents, send and receive emails, attend virtual meetings.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) and a minimum of an additional 3+ years in professional technical theater environments as a crew or crew manager.
• Preferred qualifications: Experience in dance production.

COMPETENCIES—KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Required:
  • Theatrical rigging and scenic construction.
  • Technical software (QLab, EOS, Vectorworks, Word, Excel, Google Suite).
  • Must have valid driver license, personal vehicle (for Smuin-related errands), and be able to drive up to a 26’ box truck.
  • Strong ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve in a time-sensitive production environment.
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, during production weeks.
  • Collaborative, effective, and positive communication skills.
• Additional Skillsets:
  • The strongest candidates will also have experience with:
    • Theatrical lighting implementation and development.
    • AV implementation and development.
    • Stage management experience.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to: Production Director.
• Supervises: IATSE crew and Over Hire Crew.
• Peer collaboration/communicates with: Lighting Director, Wardrobe Supervisor and staff, Artistic Staff, Over Hire Crew, and IATSE Heads & Stagehands, among others.

APPLICATION:

Please send resume, cover letter and contact information for 3 References to djustin@smuinballet.org.

Please, no phone calls.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. EOE M/F/D/V.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet is committed to enhancing the diversity of our student body, faculty, and staff. Hiring and other employment-related decisions are made on the basis of an individual’s qualifications, past experience, overall performance and other employment-related criteria. In conjunction with Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s commitment to increasing the racial diversity within our organization, we are particularly interested in receiving inquiries from applicants of underrepresented groups. It is the policy of Smuin Contemporary Ballet to provide equal opportunities for employment and advancement for all individuals, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, color, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other legally protected category.

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