Theatre Technician

Job Details

USP College is seeking to appoint a committed, creative and technically confident Theatre Technician to support the delivery of outstanding teaching, learning and live performance across our Creative Industries provision.

Working within our college theatres and performance spaces, you will play a key role in supporting students and staff across rehearsals, productions, live events and teaching sessions. You will have particular responsibility for the practical operation and maintenance of sound, lighting and theatre technical equipment, helping to create professional and inspiring performance experiences for our students and audiences.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for live performance and technical theatre who enjoys working collaboratively with students, teaching staff and creative teams.

As Theatre Technician, you will provide day-to-day technical support for the College’s theatres and performance spaces. You will work closely with teaching staff and students to facilitate rehearsals, performances, productions, events and practical learning.

You will support the safe and effective use of theatre technology and equipment, while helping students develop their practical understanding of technical theatre and live production.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for theatre productions, rehearsals, performances, live events and teaching sessions.
• Set up, operate and maintain theatre lighting, sound and associated technical equipment.
• Operate lighting desks, sound desks and other performance technology as required.
• Support the preparation and operation of lighting rigs, stage lighting, audio systems and other theatre equipment.
• Assist with the planning and delivery of technical requirements for productions and performances.
• Provide technical support during rehearsals and live performances, including sound, lighting, stage management and show operation.
• Work closely with Performing Arts staff and students to interpret technical requirements and turn creative ideas into successful live productions.
• Support students in developing their practical technical theatre skills, providing guidance and training in the safe and effective use of equipment.
• Assist with the installation, rigging, focusing and de-rigging of theatre lighting and equipment.
• Support the safe use of staging, rigging, cables, microphones, speakers and other technical equipment.
• Maintain technical equipment, ensuring it is safe, operational and fit for purpose.
• Maintain accurate records of equipment, maintenance, inspections and operating procedures.
• Ensure that health and safety documentation and risk assessments relating to technical equipment and performance spaces are accurate and up to date.
• Assist with the ordering of technical equipment, consumables and resources, monitoring stock levels and working within agreed budgets.
• Support the safe storage, organisation and security of theatre equipment and technical resources.
• Carry out routine maintenance and fault finding on theatre equipment, escalating specialist repairs where necessary.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of technical theatre procedures and documentation.
• Work collaboratively with Creative Industries Managers, teaching staff and other College teams to support the effective use of performance spaces.
• Contribute to a safe, inclusive and professional working environment for students, staff and visiting performers.
• Undertake relevant training and professional development to maintain and develop technical knowledge and competence.
• Promote sustainable working practices, including responsible use, storage, recycling and disposal of technical materials and consumables.

Job Requirements

The successful candidate will have:

• Practical experience within technical theatre, live performance or events.
• Experience operating lighting and/or sound equipment in a live performance environment.
• Experience of setting up and operating technical equipment for rehearsals, performances and events.
• Good understanding of theatre lighting systems, sound systems and stage technology.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues calmly and effectively in a live performance environment.
• Good organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities around productions and teaching activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, teaching staff, performers and production teams.
• A strong understanding of health and safety within a theatre or performance environment.
• Confidence working independently while also contributing positively as part of a creative production team.

The right candidate will have:

• A relevant qualification or significant professional experience in Technical Theatre, Production Arts, Theatre Technology, Sound, Lighting or a related discipline.
• Practical experience of working in a theatre, performance venue or live events environment.
• Experience operating a lighting desk and theatre lighting systems.
• Experience operating sound desks, microphones, speakers and playback systems.
• Knowledge of stage lighting, audio, rigging and production processes.
• Experience supporting live performances from technical rehearsals through to completion.
• Experience of working with young people or supporting learners would be advantageous.
• A passion for theatre and live performance and a desire to share technical knowledge with the next generation of creative practitioners.