Job Description

Job Summary
NOTE: To be considered for this position, candidates must include a cover letter specifying their interest in and qualifications for this position. The cover letter should be the first page of your resume and uploaded as one document.

This is a full time / seasonal job working the production year (41 weeks) from early August to the end of April annually. Salary listed is the full-time, 12-month salary rate. The seasonal salary range is FTR ($61,500 - $67,020 per season/ $37.50 - $40.85 per hour).

It is the mission of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance to create an environment of educational and artistic excellence by nurturing creativity, academic integrity, and professionalism in its faculty and students. As a comprehensive performing arts school set in one of the world's finest public institutions of higher education, the School is deeply engaged in the creation, practice, scholarship, and pedagogy of music, theatre, and dance.

We aim to provide leadership, nationally and internationally, in all three fields.
We assert and celebrate the value of the arts to the mission of the University of Michigan.
We serve the community, the region, and the State of Michigan through public performances, cultural resources, arts education, and outreach programs.
The School's mission is predicated on the belief that the study and practice of the performing arts depend upon a diverse community of learning in which a spirit of social responsibility and principled entrepreneurship is fostered.

University Productions is the producing unit of the school. It presents nine fully mounted main stage shows each season, serving the Departments of Dance, Musical Theatre, Theatre & Drama, and Voice & Opera in three different venues. These productions are directed by faculty and guest directors; designed by faculty, students, and guests; and crewed by performance and Design & Production majors. Design & Production majors work as stage managers, shop assistants, and technicians for each production; experienced students may design costumes, sets, or lighting for these productions. University Productions also manages the five main performance halls on behalf of the University.

Responsibilities*
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

Overall management of University Productions Sound Shop. Provide various levels and kinds of sound support to nine productions produced by University Productions.
Teach Theatre 353 (lecture/lab format) and PAT 380 (applied-learning lab format) every term when minimum enrollments reached.
Train and mentor students in practical areas of theatrical sound engineering when they are taking theatre labs.
Assist with maintenance of theatrical sound equipment of three theatres in coordination with facilities staff.
General Functions

For assigned productions, estimate labor costs and any material costs beyond house equipment. Upon approval of the Director of Production, make subsequent expenditures within budgeted amounts. Collaborate with external designers, when engaged, to meet creative and budgetary goals.
Create and disseminate paperwork for ALL 9 productions to clarify equipment plots, detailing placement and appropriate cable paths through venues, in coordination with scenic and lighting designs.
Coordinate work schedules during construction, technical and dress rehearsals with other production departments in order to meet scheduled deadlines and to share resources equitably.
Make recommendations to the Director of Production on crew requirements for each production. Schedule, oversee and direct professional staff, temporary help, student assistants and paid student crews in all aspects of theatrical sound. Use hands-on techniques to show students how to accomplish complex tasks safely.
Attend scheduled production meetings (regular attendance for Theatre, Dance, and Musical Theatre productions; sporadic attendance for Opera productions). Attend rehearsal room run-throughs (or review rehearsal footage), technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals as needed to provide adequate supervision.
Make recordings of curtain speeches for shows, as applicable, and make them available for production use. Maintain database of applicable recordings - preshow, talkback, intermission announcements, etc. that can be shared among departments.
Provide simple amplification for post-performance discussions (usually one per production).
Sound Engineering and Design (a detailed list of duties is available)

Design sound effects and manage sound equipment for four productions in their entirety (Dept. of Theatre & Drama).
Coordinate and provide playback/live mix for one dance concert (Dept. of Dance)
Provide foldback and archival audio recording for two acoustical opera productions (Dept of Voice & Opera).
Coordinate three to four productions indirectly with external sound designers who do a live mix (Dept. of Musical Theatre - 2 mainstage productions, 1 Senior Showcase production,1 occasional studio production).
Mentorship/Instruction

Provide informal training to students in the practical aspects of theatrical sound and associated specialties during theatre labs in the Theatrical Sound Shop, and as sound crew members during productions. Train students in the safe operation of equipment and general safety procedures for installation, rigging, and operation of theatrical sound.
When requested by T&D students working on extra-curricular or SMTD productions, advise students on the process of realizing their sound designs and make technical recommendations.
Collaborate with Design & Production faculty in setting policy, goals, and standards of performance for design and production students.
This position may have the opportunity to periodically teach introductory-level theatrical sound courses under a separate agreement with SMTD.
Administration

Maintain accounting records, including materials purchases, purchasing-card statements and labor expenses.
Ensure safe work practices and compliance with safety regulations in shop and theatre.
Schedule part-time, IATSE, and work-study staff within budgeted parameters. Verify time to be submitted for payroll.
Supervise maintenance of shop's sound inventories, equipment, and facilities. Specify and recommend new equipment or the modification of existing equipment to meet special production or shop needs. Coordinate occasional sharing and/or maintenance of School of Music sound equipment with SMTD Recording Engineer.
Assist with the maintenance and repair of sound equipment in the Power Center, Mendelssohn Theatre, and Arthur Miller Theatre by providing house technicians with theatrical-sound shop staff and expertise.
When requested, participate in discussions regarding the direction of emerging technologies (such as video projection) that closely align with sound and special effects, and their place in the organizational structure.
Make recommendations to the Facilities Manager on the operating policies and standards for sound equipment located in the performance spaces managed by University Productions, keeping the best interests of all users in mind. Recommend new equipment or the modification of existing equipment. Assist with the determination of budget and appropriate personnel to achieve these recommendations.
Assist with occasional special projects and facility improvements.
NOTE: In addition to the above responsibilities, the ideal candidate may also teach one course where students learn by working on SMTD productions. This would be an additional, Adjunct Lecturer position and will be assigned effort and compensation according to the LEO Union Contract/SMTD work plan.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: The Director of Productions is the immediate supervisor for personnel issues, budgets, and scheduling. The chair of the Department of Theatre & Drama oversees mentorship and instructional policies.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Functional and administrative supervision is exercised over temporary employees, work-study students, student assistants, and students completing labs and practicums.

Required Qualifications*
A bachelor's degree in technical theatre, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is necessary.
Experience with the construction, installation, and running of theatrical sound effects is necessary.
In-depth knowledge of Qlab and other industry standard audio control systems is necessary.
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to participate in creating theatrical productions on evenings and weekends. Hours may vary significantly from week to week.
Must be willing to be on call during performances to handle emergency problems with sound equipment.
Experience working effectively with different communities and cultures; experience working directly with faculty, staff and students.
Routinely moves boxes weighing up to 50 pounds across campus for various classroom and production needs.
This position may involve traveling to various locations on campus to conduct business and deliver materials via University vehicle or University bus system.
Desired Qualifications*
In-depth knowledge of digital audio and analog consoles and systems, gain structure, and construction of sound systems is desirable.
Experience with live mix of concerts and/or line-by-line mixing of Musical Theatre productions is desirable.
Experience with a recognized professional theatre is desirable.
Experience in the repair of theatrical sound equipment is desirable.