Auditions and Employment

Position Posting: TECHNICAL DIRECTOR 

City Theatre Company (LORT D), Pittsburgh’s leading professional theater dedicated to new plays, seeks to hire a Technical Director. This full-time staff position will oversee the scenic construction of up to five mainstage productions, as well as support builds and load-ins of presented works, Young Playwrights Festival, and City Events, during City Theatre’s ten-month season. The scene shop is in the new Chosky Production Center across the street from the 254-seat mainstage, 100-seat studio theatre, and offices on Pittsburgh’s South Side.  The position’s anticipated start date is July 2021. 

 
Principle responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Leading full-time and over-hire scenic staff (non-union) through all phases of the scenic construction process 
• Interpreting, engineering, and managing the construction of all scenic designs 
• Evaluating the feasibility of preliminary designs and working with the designer and production management to arrive at a design that is safe, feasible, and serves the designer’s vision 
• Collaboratively problem-solving with the artistic team, scenic staff, and production management 
• Working closely with the scenic charge and props master to ensure an efficient critical path for each project 
• Coordinate smooth load-ins and strikes along with other department heads and production management 
• Working with production management to create scenic budgets and track expenses 
• Schedule and manage scenic overhire labor 
• Manage the maintenance of shop equipment and scenic inventory 
• Support the professional growth of scenic staff and give constructive feedback in regular review sessions 
• Participating in the construction of each design (carpentry, welding, etc.) 

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong project management skills, experience delivering complex projects efficiently, on-time, and on budget 

• Feel strongly about technical direction as a leadership role and as a model of collaboration, positive communication, and inclusive behavior 
• Adept carpentry skills, experience with welding and rigging 
• A serious commitment to (and ability to evaluate) safety in all aspects of construction and shop operation. 
• The ability to generate technical drawings in AutoCAD or Vectorworks 
• The ability to effectively manage a small full-time staff and larger overhire crews with different levels of experience and backgrounds 

• An interest in improving scenic processes and methods 
• An appreciation and enthusiasm for the production and development of new (world and regional premieres) plays. 
• A commitment to collaboration and the organization’s values, which include a dedicated focus on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility (employees are expected to engage in company-led professional training related to the organization’s anti-racism commitments), including a willingness and eagerness to lead a staff and department that adheres to these critical principles.  
• Comfort with physical demands that include frequent heavy lifting, kneeling, bending over, and working at height (in the grid, on ladders, and in lifts.) 

Reporting & Compensation:

The position reports to the Production Manager and Director of Production. It is a full-time, exempt position with a salary in the low to mid 40’s plus a benefits package. 

ABOUT CITY THEATRE: 

Founded in 1975, City Theatre is in its 46th season as Pittsburgh’s home for bold new plays. Located in the historic South Side on its four-building cultural campus, the company produces a season of regional and world premieres; its renowned Young Playwrights Festival, now in its 21st year; a season-long reading series of new works in progress; and the annual Momentum Festival. City Theatre’s mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays of substance and ideas that engage and challenge a diverse audience. Its vision is to be the best mid-sized theater in America. Organizational Core Values are: Community; Collaboration; Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility; and Creativity. 

With an annual average operating budget of $3 million, City Theatre is the largest performing arts organization not located in Pittsburgh’s downtown Cultural District and is a constituent and core member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT), Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and the National New Play Network (NNPN). Marc Masterson returned as Artistic Director in July 2018, after an 18-year absence, to join Managing Director James McNeel as co-leaders of the organization. It is governed by an engaged board of 21 community volunteers (Alex Condron, board president). 

Like almost all arts organizations, City Theatre was forced to halt its 2019-2020 season in the middle of March due to the Covid-19 national crisis. Its modified 46th season began in September with a reimagined line-up of shows, including the creation of a live, outdoor drive-in theatrical experience (making City Theatre one of just a few organizations nation-wide to find a safe way to perform before in-person audiences) as well as a suite of original digital content. 

City Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In building an equitable work environment, the organization values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skill sets. It does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. City Theatre is committed to building a team that reflects its values and encourages all interested candidates to apply. 

 
To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to Rachel D’Amboise, Production Manager, at: rdamboise@citytheatrecompany.org. No phone calls. For more information about City Theatre, visit CityTheatreCompany.org.