Title: Technical Director
Department: Production
Reports To: Senior Director of Production Operations
Supervises: KPA and IATSE crews
Starting Pay: Up to $36/hour, Non-Exempt
Job Summary:
The Technical Director is responsible for overseeing the technical operations, infrastructure, systems, and technical execution support for Kentucky Performing Arts’ (KPA) venues, productions, events, and theatrical spaces. This position provides leadership and oversight for technical theatre systems including carpentry, rigging, lift systems, staging systems, and related production technologies.
The Technical Director is responsible for maintaining technical readiness across KPA venues through preventative maintenance planning, equipment oversight, technical safety practices, troubleshooting, system coordination, and technical staff leadership. This position supervises IATSE and KPA crews, and works closely with Production Managers and production leadership to support successful event execution.
While this role collaborates closely with production operations and event planning, the primary focus of the position is technical systems leadership, technical infrastructure oversight, equipment management, technical safety, and operational support for KPA productions and venues.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities: - Lead and oversee technical operations for KPA venues and theatrical spaces.
- Serve as a senior production management resource for complex, high-profile, multi-venue, or high-impact events, including Broadway productions, major rentals, resident company events, and special projects.
- Oversee production planning processes, including advance work, show/event estimates, staffing coordination, stage reports, schedules, service orders, and post-event follow-up.
- Oversee technical theatre systems including rigging, staging systems, lift systems, and related infrastructure.
- Maintain operational readiness of production systems and equipment across KPA venues.
- Develop, coordinate, and maintain preventative maintenance programs for technical theatre systems and equipment.
- Identify, troubleshoot, and coordinate resolution of technical equipment issues and infrastructure concerns.
- Assist with evaluating, recommending, and implementing technical upgrades, repairs, replacements, and capital improvements.
- Develop, implement, and reinforce technical safety standards and backstage safety practices.
- Support compliance with OSHA requirements, electrical safety standards, fire/life safety requirements, and applicable theatrical safety standards.
- Promote safe operation and use of production systems, equipment, lifts, rigging systems, and backstage spaces.
- Coordinate technical staffing priorities, training needs, operational support, and technical readiness.
- Assist in training full-time, hourly, call-in, and event technical personnel as needed.
- Partner with the Senior Production Manager, Production Managers, and production leadership to support event planning and execution.
- Provide technical guidance and operational support for productions, rentals, Broadway engagements, resident companies, and special events.
- Support technical coordination for incoming attractions, touring productions, vendors, and clients.
- Provide hands-on production or technical support when business needs require, which may include assisting with stage operations, crew coordination, client support, or technical event support.
- Maintain accurate technical documentation, records, and operational information.
- Assist with technical budgeting, capital planning, and equipment purchasing recommendations.
- Communicate effectively with internal departments, vendors, contractors, touring personnel, and clients.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Strong knowledge of technical theatre operations, theatrical systems, and live event technical execution.
- Advanced knowledge of theatrical rigging systems, staging systems, and related technical infrastructure.
- Strong understanding of preventative maintenance practices, equipment lifecycle management, technical troubleshooting, and operational readiness for production systems and theatrical equipment.
- Working knowledge of theatrical safety standards, OSHA requirements, electrical safety practices, fire/life safety standards, and backstage safety procedures.
- Ability to identify, troubleshoot, coordinate, and resolve technical equipment issues and infrastructure concerns in a fast-paced live event environment.
- Strong understanding of technical coordination requirements for productions, touring shows, rentals, resident companies, and special events.
- Ability to supervise, coach, support, and develop technical staff while maintaining operational consistency, accountability, and professionalism.
- Ability to manage multiple technical priorities, production needs, deadlines, and operational challenges simultaneously.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with technical staff, production leadership, touring personnel, clients, vendors, contractors, resident companies, and internal departments.
- Strong organizational, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to maintain professionalism, flexibility, and sound judgment under pressure and during time-sensitive event operations.
Essential Physical Requirements: - Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and move throughout KPA venues for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift and move up to approximately 50 pounds unassisted using proper lifting techniques and/or equipment.
- Ability to climb ladders and work in elevated areas, including lifts, catwalks, grids, or other production-related spaces as needed.
- Ability to work at heights up to approximately 100 feet when required.
- Ability to push, pull, or move large production-related items using proper equipment and procedures.
- Ability to use hand tools, power tools, production equipment, radios, computers, and other equipment necessary to perform assigned duties.
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to communicate in environments that may be loud, quiet, active, or require discreet communication.
Schedule & Work Environment: - This position requires a flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, holidays, extended hours, and on-call availability based on event and business needs.
- Work is performed in office, backstage, stage, front-of-house, loading dock, rehearsal, and venue environments across KPA’s campus and related sites.
- The work environment may include loud noise, low light, heights, moving equipment, active stage operations, time-sensitive event needs, and interaction with employees, clients, patrons, vendors, contractors, and touring personnel.
Education, Experience, and Qualifications:
Required: - Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible technical theatre or live event technical operations experience.
- Minimum of four (4) years of supervisory or leadership experience within a theatrical, technical production, or live event environment.
- Strong working knowledge of theatrical rigging including counterweight and automated systems, electrics, staging systems, and technical infrastructure.
- Experience troubleshooting and supporting technical theatre systems and production equipment.
- Experience supporting productions, events, or theatrical operations in performing arts, touring, arena, theatre, or live event environment.
- Experience supporting, maintaining, troubleshooting, or overseeing professional theatrical systems and production equipment.
- Experience coordinating or overseeing technical operations for productions, theatrical events, live entertainment venues, or touring environments.
- ETCP Certified Rigger – Theatre certification.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard production-related software systems.
- Valid driver’s license.
Preferred: - Bachelor’s degree in Technical Theatre, Production Management, Performing Arts Management, or a related field.
- Experience in a multi-venue performing arts center, Broadway environment, touring production environment, or similarly complex live event operation.
- Experience supervising union labor and large production crews.
- Experience managing Broadway, touring, or large-scale theatrical productions.
- Experience with Yamaha CL/QL series consoles or similar professional audio systems.
- Working knowledge of Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Momentus, or similar production and venue management systems.
- *OSHA 30 certification.
- *DOT medical card.
* Denotes certifications or training that may be required based on operational needs, assigned responsibilities, or departmental expectations. If they are not currently held at the time of hire or promotion, they may be obtained during employment within agreed-upon timelines established by KPA leadership.
Kentucky Performing Arts is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.
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