Staging Rigging Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Performing Arts Center Manager ( One Manager for each building Shepard, Eisenhower and Richards High Schools)

Job Summary
The Performing Arts Center Manager is responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, scheduling, and event coordination of the high school's Performing Arts Center. This position ensures the facility is maintained in a safe, clean, secure, and fully functional condition while supporting school productions, concerts, assemblies, graduations, district events, and community activities.
The Performing Arts Center serves as both an instructional environment and a premier venue for school and community events. The Manager plays a vital role in supporting educational programming while ensuring every event is executed with professionalism, safety, and technical excellence.
The Performing Arts Center Manager serves as the primary point of contact for internal staff and external organizations using the facility, coordinating technical needs, facility logistics, contracts, and event execution. This position also provides leadership and mentorship to student technical theater crews, fostering technical excellence, professionalism, and student leadership while creating a safe, welcoming environment for students, staff, patrons, and community partners.
Reports To
Director of Fine Arts, Building Principal, or Designee

FLSA Status
Exempt/Non-Exempt (District to determine)
Terms of Employment
Full-time, twelve-month position. This position requires a flexible work schedule, including frequent evenings and weekends, based on rehearsals, performances, district events, and community rentals.
Essential Responsibilities
Facility Operations and Management
    Oversee the daily operation, maintenance, security, and readiness of the Performing Arts Center and all associated spaces.
    Coordinate with the District Maintenance and Custodial Departments to ensure the facility is clean, safe, secure, and operating efficiently.
    Develop and implement preventative maintenance schedules for theatrical equipment and facility systems.
    Identify maintenance and repair needs and monitor completion of work orders.
    Maintain inventories of theater equipment, tools, supplies, and technical systems.
    Recommend equipment replacement, upgrades, and capital improvement projects.
    Assist with the development and management of the annual operating budget for the Performing Arts Center.
    Ensure compliance with district policies, operational procedures, fire codes, life safety requirements, and applicable OSHA and industry safety standards.
    Develop and maintain emergency response procedures for the facility and technical spaces.

Event and Production Management
    Collaborate with teachers, directors, coaches, administrators, and school staff to coordinate technical and facility needs for performances, concerts, assemblies, graduations, meetings, and special events.
    Plan, coordinate, and oversee lighting, sound, staging, rigging, projection, audiovisual, and other technical production requirements.
    Coordinate event schedules to ensure the facility is prepared before, during, and after each event.
    Supervise technical operations during events and troubleshoot equipment or operational issues as needed.
    Coordinate with district departments and outside vendors to ensure successful event execution.
    Ensure events are conducted safely while providing an exceptional experience for performers, audiences, and guests.

Student Leadership and Educational Support
    Recruit, train, supervise, and mentor student technical theater crews in the safe and effective operation of theater equipment and production practices.
    Provide instruction in lighting, sound, stagecraft, rigging, scenic construction, and backstage operations.
    Foster a culture of safety, professionalism, teamwork, responsibility, and leadership among student technicians.
    Support the educational mission of the Performing Arts Center by providing students with meaningful, hands-on learning experiences while modeling industry best practices.\\

Facility Rentals and Community Partnerships
    Serve as the primary contact for outside organizations interested in renting the Performing Arts Center.
    Conduct facility tours and communicate rental policies, availability, technical capabilities, and facility expectations.
    Coordinate rental agreements and contracts in accordance with district policies and procedures.
    Develop comprehensive event action plans detailing technical requirements, staffing, room setup, timelines, equipment needs, and facility logistics.
    Coordinate with district departments to secure custodial, maintenance, security, and technical support services for rental events.
    Ensure all required contracts, insurance certificates, permits, documentation, and rental payments are received prior to events.
    Serve as the on-site district representative during rental events to ensure compliance with district policies and successful event execution.
    Build positive working relationships with community organizations while promoting the Performing Arts Center as a premier community venue.

Administrative Responsibilities
    Maintain the Performing Arts Center master calendar and coordinate scheduling with school administration, district personnel, and community organizations.
    Track rental revenue, invoices, and payments while maintaining accurate financial records.
    Develop and maintain operating procedures, event documentation, equipment inventories, maintenance records, and technical documentation.
    Prepare reports, correspondence, and recommendations related to facility operations.
    Collaborate with district leadership on long-range planning for facility improvements and operational enhancements.
Qualifications
Required
    Associate's degree or equivalent professional experience in Technical Theater, Theater Production, Theater Management, Facilities Management, Event Management, or a related field.
    Experience managing theater operations, performing arts venues, event facilities, or similar technical environments.
    Working knowledge of theatrical lighting, audio systems, staging, rigging, audiovisual equipment, and backstage operations.
    Strong organizational, communication, customer service, leadership, and project management skills.
    Ability to manage multiple projects and events simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
    Ability to work effectively with students, staff, administrators, community organizations, vendors, contractors, and volunteers.
    Proficiency with Microsoft Office and scheduling software.
Preferred
    Bachelor's degree in Technical Theater, Theater Management, Arts Administration, Facilities Management, or a related field.
    Experience working in a K12 educational environment.
    Experience coordinating facility rentals and community events.
    Experience supervising or mentoring student technical theater crews.
    Knowledge of school district purchasing, budgeting, and contract procedures.
Work Schedule and Professional Expectations
The Performing Arts Center operates on a schedule that extends well beyond the traditional school day. As a result, this position requires a flexible work schedule driven by rehearsals, performances, district activities, community rentals, and other special events.
While administrative responsibilities are generally performed during regular business hours, frequent evening and weekend work is an essential function of this position. The successful candidate must demonstrate flexibility, dependability, and availability to meet the operational needs of the Performing Arts Center throughout the year.
The Performing Arts Center Manager is expected to participate in ongoing professional development to remain current with evolving theater technologies, production practices, venue management, safety standards, and district policies. Professional learning may include manufacturer training, certifications, conferences, workshops, and continuing education opportunities that enhance the operation of the facility and support student learning.
Physical Requirements
    Ability to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
    Ability to climb ladders, access catwalks, and safely work at heights.
    Ability to safely operate lifts and other theater equipment after appropriate training.
    Ability to stand, walk, bend, and work for extended periods during rehearsals and events.
    Ability to work in backstage, stage, and technical environments with varying lighting, temperature, and noise conditions.
Evaluation
Performance will be evaluated annually in accordance with Board of Education policy and district administrative procedures.
Desired Characteristics
The successful candidate is a collaborative, service-oriented leader who is passionate about supporting the performing arts and educational excellence. They possess exceptional organizational skills, sound judgment, technical expertise, and a commitment to customer service. They understand that the Performing Arts Center is both a classroom and a community gathering place and strive to create an environment where students, staff, performers, and patrons can thrive.
The ideal candidate demonstrates initiative, professionalism, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. They embrace lifelong learning, foster positive relationships with all stakeholders, and take pride in maintaining a high-quality venue that showcases the district's commitment to excellence in the arts.
Disclaimer
The duties listed above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications required. The District reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as operational needs require.