Scenic Designer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Technical Director.  This seasonal full-time benefits-eligible position requires someone who has demonstrated knowledge in scenic production, proficiency in AutoCAD 2020 or later, demonstrated skill in working with a team of carpenters, and who has the ability to positively contribute to an anti-racist organization and assist in dismantling structural racism in production.  Applicants for this role should have exceptional drafting and technical and theatre skills, and supervisory ability as well as project management skills.   

CTC is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and justice in our organization and our community, and thus we seek a broad spectrum of employees.  We strongly encourage and welcome applicants who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color, as well as those who are from other underrepresented communities. 

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION

Led by Artistic Director Rick Dildine and Managing Director Ryan French, Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is the nation’s leading theatre for multigenerational audiences and is one of the 25 largest producing theatres in the United States. A winner of the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, CTC creates extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge and inspire young people. It has set standards of excellence in the quality of its productions, commitment to new work, and innovative education and community partnerships.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

CTC is dedicated to increasing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and recruiting of board members.  CTC is committed to a future where our theatre is a home for all people, all families, and is truly reflective of our community.  We are also committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination.  CTC prohibits discrimination in employment against any employee or job applicant because of that person’s race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, membership in a local human rights commission or any other legally protected status.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Technical Director is responsible for assisting the Technical Director in the preparation and organization of technical information pertaining to the scenery of any given production, through collaboration with the design team and the other production departments, working from knowledge of standard theatrical technical design. 

This position reports to the Technical Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Drafting

• Draft technical drawings for all scenic elements based on the designer drawings, using AutoCAD 3D modeling, so they can be built by the shop staff or by overhire labor
• Solve technical and design challenges using a wide variety of construction materials and methods used in the theater to implement in technical designs
• Draft and/or archive information on the theatrical venues so we may build scenery accurately where it interacts with existing building structures

Shop Management

• Assist with budgeting and cost estimating of labor and materials for each production
• Assist in managing shop workflow, so that a variety of projects can be done cooperatively and efficiently, by leading daily activities on the shop floor as needed
• Order materials and supplies for the Scene Shop
• Attend weekly production meetings and assist the Technical Director with communicating production information to the scenic designer and Scene Shop Staff
• Attend technical rehearsals and notes sessions as needed
• Assign specific projects to carpenters or teams of carpenters based upon skills, desire or need to attain such skills, and/or time requirements
• Lead strike and load-ins as needed
• Archive information about each production for future reference
• Assist in managing the scene shop personnel to promote a safe, healthy, and productive working environment

Collaborate with all staff in the furtherance of CTC’s goal of being an anti-racist/anti-bias theatre that works towards Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

• Encourage and empower everyone to speak out against racist and/or biased workplace practices and policies
• Study topics that lead to a deeper understanding of how white supremacy, racial violence, and systemic racism have shaped American society and how that shapes CTC’s workplace and the lives of CTC employees
• Positively contribute to the ACT One platform, creating a future where our theatre is a home for all people, all families, reflective of our community

Experience

• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in scenic production
• Demonstrated skill in working with carpenters, work with IATSE crews a plus
• Demonstrated proficiency in AutoCAD 2020 or later, Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook) basic Photoshop skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of construction drafting techniques to create drawings used by carpenters for scenic construction
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic rigging, pneumatics, and theatrical automation to use in technical designs
• Demonstrated knowledge of simple engineering and structures to use in technical designs
• Demonstrated knowledge of safe working practices to promote and maintain a safe working environment
• Demonstrated skill in creating and manipulating AutoCAD drawings, including 3D, for the purpose of communicating construction information to carpenters and other production departments
• Demonstrated knowledge of carpentry, welding, rigging, and sewing to draw upon when engineering technical designs
• Demonstrated skill in preparing budgets, labor estimates, and schedules to keep projects within an acceptable scope
• Demonstrated ability to delegate tasks to others in order to keep the flow of work moving forward at an efficient rate
• Demonstrated ability to lead and/or supervise crews of carpenters to get work done efficiently and safely
• Demonstrated ability to quickly solve problems that may arise unexpectedly in order to get work done efficiently and safely
• Demonstrated ability to research an unknown process or material so it may be applied to a technical solution for a scenic element
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements is a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Accurate - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly
• Autonomy - Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Collaboration - Ability to work with others and be a positive team member contributing to a positive culture 
• Communication - Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
• Computer skills – demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD, email and calendar programs
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems 
• Detail-Oriented - Thoroughness and accuracy when completing a task through concern for all areas involved, no matter how small
• Initiative - Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal
• Liaise Effectively –Ability to facilitate effective communication between parties
• Organization – Ability to manage highly detailed logistics for multiple projects simultaneously
• Patience - Ability to act calmly under stress and strain, and of not being hasty or impetuous
• Project Management - Ability to organize and direct a project to completion
• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers
• Tactful - Ability to show consideration for and maintain good relations with others

Other Qualities

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required
• A commitment to ethical conduct in all respects of the work environment 

• A commitment to creating a just, equitable and inclusive work environment 
• A commitment to the protection of confidential information to which this position has access   
• Ability to positively contribute to an anti-racist/anti-bias organization and work to dismantle structural racism in theatre 
• A passion for the arts is a plus 

The starting pay range for this seasonal (48-50 weeks) full-time position is a weekly salary between $1,000.00 and $1075.00.  Benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance; short-term and long-term disability and life insurance; vacation and sick leave; nine paid holidays; and a 403(b) retirement savings plan.