Stage Supervisor

Company Overview

Since its debut 1948 performance – to more than 3,000 audience members, the WSO has been a powerhouse orchestra that regularly impresses guest conductors and artists with the exceptional musicianship of its members. Performance highlights of the last few decades include performances with Renée Fleming, Maureen Forrester, Kathleen Battle, Janina Fialkowska, Angela Hewitt, Buffy St. Marie, Wu Man, Randy Bachman, Dame Evelyn Glennie, and Tanya Tagaq, to name a few.

Some of the eminent soloists who have appeared with the WSO in the past include conductors Pierre Monteux, John Barbirolli and Arthur Fiedler; violinists David Oistrakh, Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell; pianists Glenn Gould, Emanuel Ax, Byron Janis, Gary Graffman, and Leon Fleisher; singers Marilyn Horne, Maureen Forrester and Renée Fleming ; cellists Zara Nelsova and Jacqueline du Pré and many others.

The WSO has served as a launching point for many illustrious careers including Victor Feldbrill, Kazuhiro Koizumi, Bramwell Tovey, and Andrey Boreyko. It has also worked hard to foster and support Manitoba and Canadian talent working closely with the likes of James Ehnes, Tracy Dahl, Andriana Chuchman, Stewart Goodyear, Cameron Crozman, Papa Mambo and Don Amero.

 

Our Mission

To provide exceptional musical experiences for Manitobans.

 

Our Values

Artistic Excellence • Operational Excellence • Governance Excellence • Community Engagement • Inclusion • Respect • Innovation and Opportunity • Adaptability

Job Description

 

 

STAGE SUPERVISOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

JOB TITLE:                            STAGE SUPERVISOR

DEPARTMENT:                     ARTISTIC OPERATIONS

STARTING DATE:                 AUGUST 1, 2023

WAGE:                                   $25 per hour

SCHEDULE:                          WSO Concert Season (Sept to mid May, plus 3 weeks summer work)

 

Reporting to the Director of Production & Operations, under the supervision of the WSO Stage Manager, the Stage Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the staging of the orchestra via the following:

 

 

 

KEY RESPONSBILITIES

 

PRODUCTION

-       Review all production information in advance

o   Participate in weekly production meetings with Artistic Operations department as scheduled by the Director of Production & Operations

o   Be prepared for all projects ahead of first crew call

o   Identify potential schedule or logistics challenges to Director of Production & Operations in a timely, helpful manner

-       In collaboration with the WSO Stage Manager, undertake, direct and oversee the orchestra’s setup, tear-down, changeovers, and concert running requirements for all rehearsals and performances.

o   Ensure the correct and efficient set up of the orchestra

o   Triaging any problems, fulfilling musician and Music Director requests

-       Work in multiple venues, with regional travel within Manitoba as required

o   Drive reefer box truck for run-outs, including other provinces

-       Communicate with Artistic Operations department via Zoom, email, SMS, & Microsoft Teams

o   Stay up to date with schedule information via email, production sheets & OPAS Online

-       Liase with WSO staff to ensure all lobby equipment, banners, tech and other front-of-house requirements are properly set up and displayed, and returned to proper storage

 

 

CREW MANAGEMENT

-       Provide input to the Director of Production & Operations:

o   Ensure ideal crew is called and that hours are efficiently managed

o   Proactively identify possible overtime situations and take effort to minimize them

-       Direct, supervise and delegate tasks to all casual crew, including providing crew callbacks

-       In conjunction with the WSO Stage Manager, liase with Centennial Concert Hall house crew to ensure successful execution of WSO activities

-       Ensure that all crew working on WSO calls adhere to the WSO Safety & Health Policy, the Manitoba Workplace Safety & Health Act & Regulations, and any venue-specific policies & conditions

o   Ensure that all work is done in a safe manner

o   Proactively identify any potential problems and unsafe situations

 

 

AUDIO / VIDEO

-       Record and file archive video of all WSO concert events

-       Record and file archive audio of all WSO concert events

 

 

OTHER

-       Keep a long-term projects task list, proactively work on those projects as time permits

o   Keep track of production inventory & identify maintenance needs

o   WSO production inventory such as chairs, music stands, risers, stand lights, etc

-       Undertake approved seasonal inventory maintenance as directed

-       Other duties as assigned

 

 

 

REQUIRED SKILLS

 

Minimum 4 years experience working as a stagehand, ideally in a union environment

 

Experience delegating to and supervising a team of stagehands

 

Possession of a Class 5 Drivers’ License, with a clean driving record, and able to operate a 26-foot dock height truck, including night time and winter driving

 

Possess a smartphone and comfortable with various communication apps

 

Able to communicate clearly and professionally with a variety of stakeholders, including staff, artists, technical crew, suppliers, guests

 

Working knowledge of professional video cameras & video editing software

 

Sensitivity to the artistic temperament

 

Spacial awareness: the WSO operates in tight quarters with expensive instruments and equipment

 

Experience working under tight timelines with minimal resources

 

Proactivity

 

Able to lift 50 lbs, including large, bulky and fragile items, on a regular basis, with ease

 

Basic carpentry skills

 

 

 

NICE TO HAVE BUT NOT ESSENTIAL

 

Experience setting up an orchestra

 

Knowledge of microphone types and techniques, sound & lighting techniques

 

Basic knowledge of theatrical lighting

 

Experience with a DAW recording software (Logic, ProTools, Ableton Live, etc)

 

Experience working with theatrical technical systems including fly house, rigging, projection, risers

 

Experience with OPAS orchestral management software

 

 

 

POSITION INFORMATION

 

As an employee of the WSO, the terms of the employment are subject to an agreement between the WSO and IATSE Local 63.

 

The incumbent shall be, or be able to become, a member of IATSE Local 63.

 

The incumbent is required to provide the WSO with a completed criminal record check (along with both the vulnerable sector and Child Abuse Registry checks), at the incumbent’s expense, prior to the start of employment.