Note: To be considered for this position, candidates must include a cover letter specifying their interest in and qualifications for this position. The cover letter should be the first page of your resume and uploaded as one document.
Salary: A higher salary may be available and determined by applicant's experience.
As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world's best public institutions of higher education, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance. We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields. We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University of Michigan. We welcome all people to our performance halls and strive to enable them to safely use, visit, and enjoy our spaces.
University Productions manages the five main performance halls on behalf of the University of Michigan. This office maintains the official calendar, contracts with groups using these halls, sends work orders to other university units which service these events, enforces life and fire-safety regulations, maintains the theatrical equipment in the building, and ensures an orderly succession of events. The venues to be served are Arthur Miller Theatre, Hill Auditorium, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Power Center for the Performing Arts, and Rackham Auditorium.
Basic Function and Responsibility
Manage the day-to-day operations of house theatrical equipment and building use by UM departments, student groups, touring attractions, local productions, and other varied events. Coordinate and execute various events. Maintain theatrical equipment. While this position has the Mendelssohn Theatre as a primary venue to service, you will be scheduled for shifts in other venues.
Duties to be Performed
- Supervise, coordinate and participate in the set-up, installation, and restoration of house equipment for events; provide users with access to spaces & their equipment; provide technical expertise on proper use of house and standard theatrical equipment. Enforce life and fire-safety policies. Monitor building mechanical systems. House equipment includes: stage traps, counterweight system, lighting equipment, sound equipment, video equipment, projection screens, auditorium seating, orchestra pit, music chairs, choral risers, conductor podium, platforms, music stands, tables, lighting instruments, cables, adapters, video monitors, intercom, paging system and piano.
- Help users to present successful events by using event information found in the scheduling database and by communicating house policies and equipment capabilities. Communicate house policies and equipment capabilities with effective customer relations to help user present a successful event. Work closely with university officials to present high-profile events to the university community.
- Analyze and evaluate proposed courses of action by production managers, stage managers, designers, local presenters and other University users regarding the safe operation of standard theatrical equipment, life-and fire-safety policies, and proper building usage. Use judgment to take immediate action in case of imminent danger or make recommendations to higher authorities on long-term policy questions.
- Use judgment to determine what work is appropriately a house-technician function as opposed to a stage-crew function on a case-by-case basis.
- Maintain, repair, or have repaired specialized theatrical equipment. Recommend new equipment or the modification of existing equipment to appropriate authorities. Collaborate in the specification, purchase, and installation of major equipment with senior staff of University Productions. Notify and coordinate with Region Maintenance on building maintenance items.
- Coordinate with front-of-house staff on starting times, intermissions, special technical requirements in the lobby, and hearing assistance system.
- Assist and coordinate with the Front of House Manager in the event of emergencies such as fire, weather, medical, electrical and active shooter protocols.
- Ensure safe work practices and compliance with fire and safety regulations at all times to foster a culture of safety. Keep abreast of current industry standards and practices.
- Arrange work schedule to mesh with building usage and scheduled deadlines as defined by Senior Backstage Operations Manager.
- Assist in maintaining appropriate procedures manuals and technical specifications for SMTD website. Maintain technical data on equipment and vendors.
- Make expenditures within approved budgets; maintain proper records and prepare reports as requested. Engage in proper use of university-issued credit card and submit monthly reconciliation. Record expenses on the departmental database using proper line items and accounts.
- Prepare accident reports and Plus Additional charges for billing to users.
- Assist with special projects and other tasks as assigned.
Supervision to be Received
The Lead Backstage Operations Manager is the immediate supervisor for personnel issues. The Facilities Manager is the immediate supervisor for budgets and venue scheduling, as well as the arbiter for equipment uses, maintenance, and specifications.
Supervision to be Exercised
This position has the authority to make independent decisions on matters of significance for all aspects of house theatrical equipment, spaces, and life-safety and fire-safety codes. Functional supervision is exercised over temporary employees.
- A degree in technical theatre, or an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated work experience with a recognized professional company or university, is necessary.
- A deep knowledge of theatrical equipment systems, including counterweight, sound, lighting, audio, headset, video, and stage rigging is necessary.
- Experience in DMX-controlled devices is necessary. Experience with ETC consoles and ETC entertainment networks is necessary.
- Basic experience in computer networking for theatrical applications, understanding of DMX, Composite, HDMI, CAT6, and VGA signal protocols.
- Basic knowledge of resolution and aspect ratio and ability to take a video and audio feed from a source such as a laptop.
- The ability to work, manage and coordinate with union stagehands is necessary.
- The ability to work evenings and weekends according to a varied schedule is necessary.
- This position routinely uses ladders, catwalks, scaffolds, grids, and aerial work platforms to safely perform work duties. Must display a comfort with working at heights.
- This position routinely moves equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and 150 pounds on a castered cart.
- This position is required to attain and maintain aerial work platform, forklift, safety, and vehicle certifications as required.
- This position involves routinely working in various performance halls.
- A previous supervisory position in technical theatre (technical director, lead carpenter, sound engineer, audio engineer, theatrical lighting associate, etc.) with a recognized professional company or equivalent is desirable.
- Experience with the repair of theatrical equipment and the diagnosis of electronic theatrical equipment is desirable. Experience in repairing moving lights is desirable.
- Familiarity with nomenclature of commercial buildings with regards to electrical systems, HVAC systems, plumbing, floor finishes, theatrical seating and hydraulic lifts is desirable.
- Some experience with customer relations is desirable.
