Job Description
American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) 64 Brattle St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
Date Posted:
May 22, 2026 Region:
Eastern Massachusetts Category:
Production/Design Type:
Full-Time
Technical Director Description:
Job Description Directs all aspects of scenery, rigging, and automation in coordination with stage operations for A.R.T. Productions, including managingmercial scene shop builds. Position Responsibilities:
Leadership, Culture, and Safety Promote an inclusive, respectful work environment for staff, overhire employees, and guest artists.
Foster both psychological and physical safety through appropriate training, policies, and daily practices. Production Planning and Artistic Collaboration Support and uphold the mission, vision, and values of A.R.T. in all production activities.
Collaborate with scenic designers to realize designs within theatre resources, proposing solutions with production management and producers if issues arise.
Work with external scenic shops and internal staff to deliver scenic designs on time and on budget, including approval of technical designs and shop builds.
Plan and oversee scenic load-in, rigging, strike, load-out, and storage of closing shows, in collaboration with production management and other department heads.
Read scripts and attend rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and previews as necessary to support the production process.
Manage scenic, rigging, and automation elements from pre-production through closing. Staffing, Scheduling, and Training Provide direct supervision to up to three existing production staff.
Coordinate scenery load-in and load-out overhire labor.
In concert with production management, coordinate external and internal show builds and maintenance schedules.
Manage training and meeting schedules and attend required training sessions and shoppany meetings. Budget and Administrative Management Develop scenery budget estimates, including scenery, rigging, automation, and stage operations budget lines.
Submit updated budget and expense reports to production management.
Manage weekly payroll for overhire employees and other direct reports. Facilities, Equipment, and Communication Overseeanization and maintenance of scenic storage in collaboration with the Production Shop Supervisor.
Maintain clear and consistentmunication with other production departments and creative teams.
Clearly articulate resource limitations and collaborate with creative teams to troubleshoot technical issues.
Distribute technical ground plans and sections and provide samples and photos as needed, keeping designers and directors informed on scenic builds and support activities. Working Conditions:
A.R.T.'s shops are located 2 miles from the Loeb Drama Center, 3.5 miles from the Goel Center, and 25 miles from the A.R.T.'s warehouse. The shops and the Loeb Drama Center are multistory buildings without elevators, with work taking place on multiple levels. Work will cease at the Loeb Drama Center in Spring of 2027. The Goel Center is a new multi-story building with modern accessibility features.
The TD may be required to move scenery weighing upwards of 70 lbs and other materials to and from storage or around the building, as well as loading and unloading material from trucks and vans (both at a loading dock and from the street). They may also assist in the installation of rigging and loading of 40 lb stage weights into counter-weight arbors. During load-in and strike, work may take place on ladders, genies, and the grid. The TD may be required to carry materials up and down stairs and use hand and stationary power tools.
This role requires good manual dexterity, strength, coordination, and stamina.
Night and weekend work is expected.
This role requires work both indoors and outdoors. Software Used:
MS Office, Google Workspace, Point, Slack, Zoom, Dropbox, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, and PeopleSoft (time reporting and human resources software). Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications are the minimum requirements a candidate must meet to be considered for this role. Strong knowledge of AutoCAD or similar programs.
Strong knowledge of engineering fundamentals and experience with their application to non-theoretical problems.
Hands-on experience with scenic automation.
Solid experience with safe, industry-standard rigging practices and hands-on experience building rigging systems. If not OSHA 30 certified, willingness to be so at A.R.T.'s expense upon hire.
Advanced knowledge of theatrical construction techniques, including carpentry and rigging.
The ability to create and critique technical designs and drawings.
The ability tomunicate with kindness and clarity, fostering teamwork and a collaborative environment.
