Seattle Open Arts Place

Seattle Open Arts Place (S.O.A.P.) is seeking a Technical Director to lead the technical operations of our arts venue in Seattle.

This is a hands‑on, collaborative role for a technically skilled and creative problem‑solver who enjoys supporting artists, maintaining technical systems, troubleshooting in real time, and helping create an accessible, artist‑forward environment.

The Technical Director will work with a high degree of autonomy while collaborating closely with S.O.A.P. staff, artists, rental clients, volunteers, and production teams.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Technical Director will oversee the organization’s technical systems, equipment, venue readiness, and technical support for productions, events, festivals, rentals, and performances.

Key responsibilities include:

• Maintain and troubleshoot lighting, sound, projection, streaming, and other technical systems
• Program and maintain the venue’s lighting boards
• Maintain the tech booth and technical storage areas
• Establish, maintain, and reset rep plots and supporting documentation
• Create clear technical guides, diagrams, and training materials
• Maintain equipment inventory, coordinate repairs, and recommend purchases based on need, usability, and budget
• Support technical design and documentation for productions, events, and festivals
• Update venue TV slides and OBS stream slides in collaboration with the Marketing Director
• Provide technical guidance for major events and organizational initiatives
• Lead technical orientations and exit walkthroughs for artists, co‑producers, and rental companies
• Set up Vimeo streaming links for co‑productions and rentals when applicable
• Provide technical support during performances and long‑term rentals
• Serve as a board operator for internal events as needed
• Train staff, volunteers, interns, and learning artists in basic technical systems
• Build and manage a roster of board operators, stream engineers, and learning artists
• Help develop future technical internship and learning opportunities
• Participate in technical budget planning and manage approved equipment purchases
• Coordinate quarterly stage‑floor repainting and help maintain a clean, functional venue

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for someone with hands‑on experience in technical theater, live events, venue operations, or a related field, with particular experience programming and maintaining lighting boards.

The ideal candidate is:

• Comfortable troubleshooting technical equipment independently
• Organized and attentive to technical documentation and systems
• Experienced working directly with artists and production teams
• Able to manage multiple technical priorities
• Comfortable working independently while being a collaborative team member
• A clear and respectful communicator
• Committed to creating supportive experiences for artists with diverse abilities, identities, and levels of technical experience
• Available for regular onsite work in Seattle

ARTIST & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

At S.O.A.P., technical work is about more than equipment. The Technical Director helps create an environment where artists feel supported, respected, and empowered.

You’ll work with artists, co‑producers, rental companies, staff, volunteers, and community members to make technical processes clear, accessible, and welcoming.

The role also includes helping build opportunities for interns, volunteers, and emerging technicians to develop practical skills and gain experience in technical theater and event production.

VENUE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Technical Director will also:

• Participate in approximately three Front of House/bar shifts per month as part of a rotating schedule
• Obtain a valid MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) permit, with training costs covered by S.O.A.P.
• Assist with venue resets and cleaning as needed
• Help maintain a welcoming, functional, accessible, and artist‑forward venue

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION

S.O.A.P. is committed to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and creating pathways into technical leadership in the arts.

We especially encourage applications from Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, disabled individuals, and people from communities historically excluded from technical leadership roles in the arts.

We believe technical theater should be a space where people can learn, grow, create, and build meaningful careers.

POSITION DETAILS

1406 18th Avenue

Seattle, WA 98122

This position requires regular onsite work in Seattle, although some responsibilities may be completed remotely.

The Technical Director reports to the Executive Artistic Director and operates with a high degree of autonomy while working collaboratively across the organization.

ACCESS NOTE

If you need to submit your materials in a different format or require accommodations during the application process, please reach out. We’re committed to making the application process accessible and human-centered.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

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