About The Company

At Center Theatre Group (CTG), we believe theatre creates an extraordinary connection between artists and audiences. As one of the nation’s most influential non-profit theatre companies, we provide the broadest range of theatrical entertainment in the country at the Ahmanson Theatre (AHM), the Mark Taper Forum (MTF), and the Kirk Douglas Theatre (KDT). Whether it’s producing new work through our robust artistic development programs or engaging people of all ages and backgrounds across Los Angeles through our community and education programs, we put theatre at the center of it all.

Center Theatre Group commits to creating a safe space where the values of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion are rooted in all levels and aspects of our work. We aim to attract, nurture, and retain staff in a supportive home where we can be our best selves. We celebrate our commonalities and embrace our differences in order to ensure that everyone has access to our work onstage, behind the scenes, and in the community.

As a nonprofit theatre, our mission has always been to reflect the community we serve and to harness the power of art to transform society. To that end, our organization is committed to bettering ourselves and embracing equity, access, and inclusion in all our work. In addition, we are committed to promoting an environment for our staff, artists, audiences, and colleagues that actively works against racism, harassment, and discrimination.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Production, the Technical Director serves as a key member of the Production Department and is responsible for all aspects of planning and executing the scenery for self-produced shows and events at Center Theatre Group’s three theatres – the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Kirk Douglas Theatre. The Technical Director works in collaboration with other Production Staff, Designers and Stagehands to ensure the safe and successful engineering, construction, installation and removal of scenery, rigging, and other technical elements.

Primary Responsibilities

• Create estimates for the construction and load-in of scenic elements from designer drawings. Identify ways to reduce costs to stay within budget and present options to the Designer as needed.
• Bid shows to commercial scenery shops, participate in the technical design process, review and provide input on construction drawings, and ensure scenery is correctly fabricated to the scenic designer’s specification.
• Work collaboratively with the Head Carpenters of the Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatre on the design of scenery, rigging and automation to ensure that it can be loaded safely and efficiently.
• Draft ground plans, sections, rigging, installation, and deck drawings based on the scenic design as needed for load-in crews, Stage Management, Designers, and other Production Staff.
• Work with visiting design teams and Production Staff to achieve workable and safe productions throughout all stages of the production process.
• Work with the Head Carpenters, Designers, and other Production team members to find solutions to technical problems and challenges.
• Estimate and track labor and material costs for productions and advise Production Management of the potential consequences of any proposed adds or changes.
• Purchase, rent, borrow, and pull equipment and hardware as needed. Track and report department and show expenses to allow informed decisions to be made about purchasing.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with vendors. Make purchases with a company credit card, track receipts and mileage, and code these expenditures in a prompt fashion.
• Supervise and staff load-in and strike of Kirk Douglas Theatre productions and outside events, including scenic calls. Identify areas where crew members need additional training or support and provide as needed. Take an active role as carpenter, rigger, or otherwise as needed during load-in, build, and strike calls as needed.
• Track and update soft goods, rigging, tool, and equipment inventories. Maintain tech specs and theatre drawings in collaboration with Production Management.
• Attend production meetings, pre-tech run-thrus, load-ins, technical rehearsals and performances as needed. Keep the Production Staff informed of important developments.
• Create and refine paperwork and processes including drafting templates, checklists, budget spreadsheets, etc., to ensure work is being done as efficiently as possible.
• Advise Production Management on equipment and facility upgrades and maintenance. Spec, bid, schedule, and supervise maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of equipment and support spaces.
• Maintain and promote a safe work environment by following and enforcing all safety regulations, providing safety equipment, training employees on safe practices, reporting incidents, managing record keeping, staying up to date on safety issues, and advising on safety-related policy and decisions.
• Collaborate with all staff in the furtherance of Center Theatre Group's goal of being an anti-racist theatre working towards Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for all. Encourage and empower everyone to speak out against racist workplace practices and policies. Participate in organization-wide anti-racism work and incorporate an anti-racist lens into daily practice. 
• Support the Education and Community Partnerships, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing departments in furthering their work. This could include teaching workshops, leading tours, discussing behind-the-scenes activities, or taking on interns or apprentices.

Center Theatre Group provides a dynamic working environment in which duties and responsibilities may change. Employees are expected to be flexible and responsive to changes in the scope of their duties. 

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate and collaborate with people that are mixed across lines of differences such as race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class and immigrant status.
• Demonstrable understanding of the production process from both a creative and technical viewpoint and ability to negotiate a clear path to success for any given production. Ability to read and evaluate designer plans and technical drawings.
• Experience creating and overseeing budgets including estimating labor requirements.
• Proficiency in drafting with either AutoCAD or Vectorworks and the ability to clearly lay out drawings for others to read and understand.
• Knowledge of and hands-on experience with theatrical scenic construction including metal work, rigging, and automation, and the willingness to seek advice and help from others as needed to fill in gaps in knowledge.
• Experience leading crews, delegating tasks, and ensuring that everyone is working together toward a common goal.
• Ability to work independently, exercising judgment and discretion, while demonstrating initiative in the performance of all job duties.
• Demonstrable creative judgment, excellent problem-solving skills, the ability to work effectively while managing multiple deadlines and priorities, and an aptitude and eagerness to learn new skills and processes necessary to manage varying projects.
• Working knowledge of and willingness to promote current health and safety practices in the theater industry.
• Proficient in using computers and knowledge of basic computer programs used for email, word processing, spreadsheets, etc. 
• Ability to remain centered and respectful during sensitive situations, guiding teams to consensus in a holistic manner.
• With advanced notice, ability to work a flexible schedule including morning, evening, and weekend hours.

Compensation

CTG offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including retirement plan options, escalating paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays, and health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance program.

All employees are required to pass a background check.

In order to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, CTG recommends that all employees stay current with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

How To Apply

Tell us why you are the ideal person for this job.

Please send your resume and cover letter to cchichi@ctgla.org and include the position title in the subject line of the email. Due to the heavy volume of resumes received, emails that do not include the job title in the subject line of the email may not be considered. In the cover letter, please indicate how you became aware of this position, e.g., name of website, current employee, other source.

No phone calls please. We will contact qualified individuals to set up interviews.

Center Theatre Group is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, color, ancestry, disability, age, national origin, pregnancy, veteran/military status, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law. CTG will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We support, promote and embrace a diverse workforce.