Senior Theatre Specialist – Lighting and Sound

Position Number: 992467

Home Org/Dept: Theatre – Kent Campus [100278]

Location: Kent Campus – Kent, OH

Work Type: Staff/Unclassified

Physical Location:  Kent Campus – Kent, OH

Salary:  $40,308 – $50,179

Basic Function:

Provide technical/electrical coordination and support for the School of Theatre and Dance and Porthouse, Wright-Curtis, Stump and Black Box Theatres and programs. Reports to Director, School of Theatre and Dance.

Additional Basic Function – if applicable: 

The School of Theatre and Dance invites an engaging and collaborative individual to join a creative staff and faculty for a 12-month staff position in Lighting and Sound starting September 1, 2023. The school produces approximately nine productions annually including Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University’s professional summer theatre.  

Examples of Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not be limited to, the following: 

Oversee the installation, repair and maintenance of stage lighting and sound equipment for School of Theatre and Dance and Porthouse Theatre.

Design production computing systems, repair and maintain production computer equipment, install software and hardware, trouble shoot problems.

Oversee the repair and maintenance of stage lighting systems and/or consult with outside vendors.

Advise and consult with internal and external electricians and vendors regarding design for new systems and improvements/repairs to existing systems.

Supervise production lighting and sound rigging, focus and strikes for School of Theatre and Dance and Porthouse Theatre productions. Design temporary production lighting and sound systems.

Research, evaluate and recommend new technologies in classroom lighting and sound systems.

Maintain and repair specialized classroom computing equipment, hardware and software. Maintain and repair specialized classroom lighting and sound equipment and systems, hardware and software.

Oversee and coordinate lighting and sound budgets. Order and maintain an inventory stock of consumable electric and sound supplies.

Communicate with Campus Environment and Operations regarding stage lighting systems and safety.

Assist with supervision of production technical rehearsals as needed.

Supervise classroom lighting and sound equipment set up and training.

Collaborate and consult with faculty regarding future equipment repairs and purchases, allocation of equipment and labor resources, and production budgets. Research and evaluate new technologies in stage lighting and sound systems and new classroom instructional technologies.

May provide technical support for other events and activities scheduled in theatre facility (e.g., concerts, lectures, etc.).

Perform related duties as assigned.

Additional Examples of Duties – if applicable:

• Supervise production lighting and sound rigging, focus, and strikes for assigned productions in the College of the Arts.
• Oversee the installation, repair and maintenance of stage lighting and sound equipment for the College of the Arts.
• Oversee and coordinate lighting and sound budgets. Order and maintain an inventory stock of consumable electric and sound supplies.
• Oversee the repair and maintenance of stage lighting systems and/or consult with outside vendors.
• Attend production meetings, necessary rehearsals, technical rehearsals, additional work calls, and strikes.
• Provide technical support for other scheduled events and activities for the College of the Arts.
• Actively and positively contribute to the mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students. The candidate will collaborate effectively with a diverse student body and faculty.
• Work closely with all Design, Technology, and Production faculty and staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Theatre or related field with a concentration in design and technology. Two years professional experience in the installation, repair and maintenance of theatrical lighting and sound equipment including electrical distribution, control consoles, dimming, mixing consoles, microphones and basic computer maintenance and repair skills.

License/Certification:

Knowledge Of:

Theatre and dance production and processes *
Entertainment industry, manufacturers and resources
Familiarity with both Windows and MAC operation systems and stage lighting, sound and CAD (computer aided design) software such as Lightwright, Vectorworks, AutoCad, Sound Forge and SFX

Skill In:

Written, verbal, and interpersonal communication

Ability To:

Oversee a budget
Manage people

Preferred Qualifications – if applicable:

• M.F.A. preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of lighting and sound technology including, but not limited to, networks, audio engineering, lighting programming on a variety of control boards, best practices as it relates to safe rigging and elevated platform use.
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer operating systems, computer-aided drafting, and digital audio workstations.

Assessments:

Asterisk (*) indicates knowledge, skills, abilities which may require assessments. Assessments could take the form of interview questions, a request to provide work samples or a written or practical test to assess job related competencies.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

Work in office classroom and theatrical shop environment. Occasional exposure to fumes, loud noise, dust, dirt, potentially dangerous equipment (e.g., hand and power tools, high voltage electricity); requires moderate physical effort.

Working Schedule:

Applications considered starting July 28, 2023 and position to remain open until August 15, 2023. Apply at https://jobs.kent.edu (position #992467) which includes a cover letter and resume. 

Additional Information: 

Must pass a security check.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Kent State University is committed to the creation and nurturing of a diverse community of individuals through inclusive excellence. Diversity involves recognizing the value of differences and the inclusion of all members of the community including those that experience discrimination or under representation. This is a core value of the organization as we strive for a culturally diverse student body, faculty and staff that reflect the multicultural nature of Ohio, the nation, and our world.

For official job descriptions, visit www.kent.edu/hr. 

Kent State University is a Smoke-Free, Tobacco-Free University effective July 1, 2017. Smoking and tobacco use are not permitted on any of Kent State’s campuses or other locations and properties that are owned, operated, or leased by Kent State, both domestic and international. For additional details, visit www.kent.edu/smoke-free.