Technical Director

Company Overview

Alberta Ballet thrills and inspires audiences with unparalleled productions. As a resident company of the Jubilee Auditorium, it reaches over 60,000 Albertans each year with performances in Calgary and Edmonton. 

Alberta Ballet was founded in 1966 in Edmonton by Ruth Carse and Muriel Taylor. Today, it is a holistic ecosystem: a major professional performing arts company with an integrated and internationally renowned ballet training institution.  

Alberta Ballet’s standing company of artists are classically trained and renowned for wide-ranging versatility. These dancers come from across Canada and around the world. 40% of the troupe are alumni of Alberta Ballet School, Alberta Ballet’s training division. 

The most powerful part of our work is what you’ll walk away with –feelings, memories and connection. 

OUR VISION 

To uplift Albertans in every community through dance. 

OUR MISSION 

To ignite the curiosity and imagination of people in all communities across the province, championing their stories and experiences through dance training, creation and performances. 

Job Description

Job Title: Technical Director

Reporting to: Artistic Director

Location: Calgary Alberta

Type of Position: Regular Full Time

Division: Company

Department: Production

Direct Reports: Production Crew as outlined in the IATSE CBA’s

Purpose: Reporting to the Artistic Director, the Technical Director supervises all technical aspects of Alberta Ballet productions. The Technical Director will oversee the production department's day-to-day management, including hiring and supervising personnel, general organization, scheduling, crew management, budget, and expense management, and build planning/execution as the Artistic Director sets. Success for the Technical Director is the safe, seamless, and consistent delivery of all Alberta Ballet Company performances and presentations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Promote and foster a culture of individual responsibility and collaboration, emphasizing frequent and clear communication.
• Manage and lead the Alberta Ballet Regular, Casual, and Show Crew.
• Oversee the scenery, props, lights, audio, video, and wardrobe load-in and loud-out of venues in Calgary and on tour in a safe and timely manner, including proper installation and maintenance of dance surfaces, including sprung floor, and installing and hanging scenic lighting, audio, and video goods.
• Create and oversee line set schedules, deck and rail cue sheets, lighting plot and paperwork related to scenery, coordinating the implementation of audio/video, proper placement and hanging of soft goods and other scenery.
• Investigate paging systems, house curtain, cueing systems, and their operation. 
• Oversee the preparation, construction, build, and arrangement of scenery and props.
• Submit all pertinent show information to venues as required. 
• Serve as liaison to IATSE local representatives and submit all Crew Calls to each IATSE Local chapter in accordance with collective agreements.
• Manage schedules and oversee all load-ins, load-outs, and preparation time, including production, wardrobe, and front of house.
• Ensure all crew work activities follow the IATSE White and Pink Agreements with Alberta Ballet.
• Source all required equipment, rentals, and trucking as per production requirements.
• Work closely with the artistic team to ensure all production elements are available for rehearsals and performances.
• Collaborate with designers, choreographers, and the artistic team to plan, create, and deliver productions.
• Work closely and collaborate with the Artistic Operations Manager on season schedules.
• Serve as liaison to the CPO, ESO, and presenting organizations for production needs and logistics.
• Manage guest companies in-venue, including setting crew calls and ensuring all technical requirements are within guidelines set by technical riders and set budgets. 
• Develop and maintain systems and process documentation to support all production and artistic operations. 
• Manage crew cost estimates, technical production budgets and forecasting as set out by Artistic Director and ensure timely approval and processing of invoices, expenses, and VISA submissions.
• Produce detailed production budget breakdowns for new creations and re-mounts. 
• Archive productions and projects, with all relevant documentation and final reports upon completion as required. 
• Prepare shipment carnets for out-of-country shipments.
• Prepare technical riders for touring when required. 
• Oversee the development and maintenance of Alberta Ballet's Warehouse, including inventory, tools, and supplies.
• Schedule and supervise maintenance of the technical equipment within applicable budgetary guidelines.
• Ensure all health and safety practices and procedures are up to date for production department operations and facilities and provide safety orientations in venues and at the warehouse for all personnel.
• Develop and execute maintenance schedules for safety inspections, equipment, and cleaning.

Qualifications:

• Excitement for Alberta Ballet’s strategic objectives; specifically, a deep belief in the importance of ballet and the arts.
• A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Eligible to work in Canada.
• Knowledge of scenery construction, lighting, audio, video, and special effects for the stage with a minimum of 5 years of experience working in a performance theatre environment.
• Training in technical theatre or equivalent of combined industry experience.
• Experience leading a team.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present information clearly and effectively to a variety of personnel.
• Strong management skills including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• An eye for details.
• Ability to remain calm and focused when under pressure.
• Ability to actively listen to concerns and problems and provide appropriate solutions to challenges.
• Knowledge and experience with Office365, Vectorworks, Lightwright, and QLab.
• Knowledge and experience with Health and Safety initiatives and practices.
• Valid First Aid & CPR, Forklift, WHIMIS, Fall Prevention Certifications an asset.
• Valid Driver’s License is required. Experience driving a 5-ton truck is an asset.
• Must have the ability to lift boxes, ladders, equipment etc. weighing at least 75 pounds.
• Ability to travel with the company productions from September to May with the requirement of work on evenings and weekends while in theatre.
• Successful candidates must complete a police background/vulnerable sector check as a condition of employment.

 Compensation:

 This position is eligible for a competitive annual salary, paid overtime, enhanced benefits package, health spending allowance, wellness spending allowance, savings plan participation, paid personal days and sick days, and annual vacation accrual.  Additionally, employees are eligible for comp tickets to Company performances and discounts on tuition for ballet classes.