Technical Director

Company Overview

ABOUT CANADIAN STAGE 

Canadian Stage is one of the country’s leading not-for-profit contemporary performing arts organizations. An anchor organization in Toronto’s vibrant cultural scene, Canadian Stage is a home for new, challenging dynamic art forms, as well as an incubator and exporter of leading-edge contemporary and multidisciplinary performance. 

Sharing innovative work from Canada and across the world, the company stages an annual season at across three Toronto venues, including its beautiful heritage building on Berkeley and Front Street, in the vibrant St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood.  

In its long and storied history, Canadian Stage has employed thousands of artists and produced hundreds of new productions to over 5,000,000 audience members, including the premieres of 350+ new Canadian works. Many of the plays developed by Canadian Stage have been awarded and nominated for Canada's most prestigious literary and performing arts honours, including Governor General's, Chalmers, and Dora Mavor Moore Awards.  

Job Description

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Technical Director (TD) is a member of the Production Department and reports to the Director of Production. The TD is responsible for the technical elements, schedules, and budgets of Canadian Stage’s productions and presentations. The TD in collaboration with the ATDs and Production Coordinator is responsible for the daily operation of the Production Department and the productions, presentations, and related activities of Canadian Stage (CS).  

Note: Start date: January 2024 (Flexible)

The Technical Director is an integral part of the organization, with the major functions and responsibilities for this position that include, but are not limited to: 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

·       Reports to the Director of Production 

·       Other members of the Production Department 

·       IATSE Crew

·       Other Canadian Stage departments 

·       The creative and production teams of productions and presentations 

·       External organizations such as Berkeley Street partners, renters, suppliers, TO Live etc. 

 MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES 

·       Oversee completion of all technical elements of a production to Canadian Stage’s and designer’s satisfaction. 

·       Coordinate the details of IATSE work calls including load in, lx, video and sound calls, rehearsals, repair and maintenance calls and any other technical calls related to the stages

·       Advise on production schedules and budgets

·       Oversee season schedule for technical areas. Expedites productions within scheduled deadlines. 

·       Oversee the Assistant Technical Director, IATSE crew, and occasional casual labour, assigning work and projects as required, and managing their schedules

·       Manages scenic bid processes for budgeting purposes. 

·       Provide cost estimates for submitted designs and be responsible for materials and labour expenditures in all show technical areas including stage, lx, sound, video and special effects. Work with designers to scale designs into budget.

·       Communicate with designers, directors, and stage management as necessary for troubleshooting and production continuity. 

·       Acts as a liaison with stage management for production notes, and for the smooth transition of set from shops to technical rehearsal. 

·       Analyse and fulfills technical riders for shows presented by Canadian Stage. 

·       Liaise and work with the Rental and Partner Companies to fulfill their technical needs. 

·       Ensures compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations within areas under the supervision of the Production Department. 

·       Advises on capital upgrades in the Production Department

·       Oversees installation and maintenance of technical equipment in the spaces

·       Produce ground plan and section drawings, fly schedules, and other paperwork required for smooth and expedient load ins across CS stages and rental houses.

·       Maintains a production quality of the highest standard. 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES 

·       Evening and weekend work is required for this position. 

·       Create and modify CAD drawings. 

·       Analyzes scripts for all technical elements. 

·       Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Production. 

·       Other duties as notified by the Director of Production 

·       Must maintain professionalism, show flexibility, demonstrate sound judgement, and handle multiple tasks and changing priorities, and remain composed under pressure. 

·       Confidentiality is required. 

·       This position is located in Toronto at 26 Berkeley Street, and at venues as required. 

QUALIFICATIONS

·       Minimum of 5+ years of professional experience in technical theatre

·       Solid proficiency with CAD Software

·       Available to work evenings and weekends

·       Experience in the setting and upholding of safety standards in all parts of the venue – from stages, backstage, audience and FOH

·       An ability to work unsupervised while maintaining goals and an attention to detail

·       Experience working in a team-based collaborative environment with a positive attitude to deliver high-quality presentations. Ability to work with diplomacy and tact with a wide range of stakeholders

·       Valid Class G Ontario Driver's License

STATEMENT OF INTENTION 

Canadian Stage is committed to building an anti-racist, equitable and inclusive cultural institution. We work to reflect the stories, ideas, concerns, and priorities of the communities we have been entrusted to serve authentically and meaningfully.   

To address the under-representation of racialized and Indigenous administrators at our organization, and to affirm the importance of diverse lived experiences and perspectives, we encourage and welcome applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.