This begs the question - THEATRE MANAGER or TECHNICAL DIRECTOR?
In most high schools, these duties are often confused and intermingled. Usually because of funding issues (another topic!), but it's good for your admin to know the difference. For instance, overseeing daily operations and coordinating maintenance is a desk job (TM), whereas designing and executing tech for productions is a hands-on job (TD). (Directing the musical is yet another skillset altogether – see my recent post on the "Please provide your input on this job description" discussion.) Here's an excerpt from my book that you can use to show your admin the basic differences between a TM and a TD.
"Whether you decide to have your Drama teacher and students run your theatre or whether you decide to hire qualified professionals, there are some things you should be aware of before you make your plans. One of the first things to take into account is the interchange of the job titles Theatre Manager and Technical Director. In actual fact these are two different positions and ideally it's best to have both.
"A Theatre Manager, or the person running your theatre, does not necessarily have to be a specialist in every technical aspect of the theatre, but they do have to know enough in order to hire and manage people who do. They have to be organized and self-motivated. They have to be good at maintaining stacks of paperwork. (See the list of TM Duties I previously attached.) They also have to have a good grasp of how a theater operates and what policies and procedures will make it operate more smoothly. This can come through a degree related to theatre business management, and/or through years of experience of working in a theatre in some capacity or another – preferably both. A Theatre Manager does not always actually run tech for the shows - just as in a hospital, the administrator does not perform the surgeries - but she must have enough specialized knowledge to manage the facility.
"A Technical Director (TD) is more of a hands-on position. A TD usually has the technical knowledge of how to program and run lighting and sound computer boards, knows how to hang and focus lights, set up a sound system, and knows the correct rigging hardware and techniques needed to hang scenery. A TD usually has a more general, but hands-on technical knowledge of how the equipment in the theatre works. Sometimes they have a design background or a related degree, but not always.
"Which begs the questions, if we have a Theatre Manager and we hire professional crew in each area of tech (lights, sound, and stage and rigging) do we need to also hire a TD? If we don't hire a TD, how many technicians do we need to hire? It would not be practically possible to have one TD in place of technicians. One TD cannot physically be at the light board, the sound board and backstage at the same time. Therefore you still need technicians at each show who can operate in each of those areas. Ideally it would be best to have a Theatre Manager to run the theatre, and a TD to supervise the technicians, who in turn mentor the students. But, usually in high school theatres, regardless of whether the job title is Theatre Manager or Technical Director, one person does both those jobs with the help of the technicians. As their job is so multi-faceted, your Theatre Manager/TD, or the person you choose to run your theatre, has to be that rare person who is as happy sitting at a desk as they are up a ladder."
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Beth Rand, EBMS
Lighting Designer
School Theatre Operations Coach
NEW!
ONLINE TECH COURSES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
http://www.presett.org/techieacademy.html . A great summer project!
HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE MANAGEMENT ONLINE COURSE for Drama Teachers: Summer session June 4th (half full, 4 spaces left). Fall session Sept 10th.
http://www.presett.org/theatre-management-course.htmlREP PLOT DESIGN - Never have to re-hang and re-focus all your lights again!
http://www.presett.org/repplot.html"HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE OPERATIONS" and more tech theatre books at
http://www.presett.org/helpful-books-for-you.html.www.PRESETT.orgWestminster, CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-03-2018 09:02
From: Donnie Bryan
Subject: Theater Manager Duties/Forms
We just hired a new Technical Director and this is our job description:
General
The High School Technical Theater Director is a full-time, 10-month position that may require additional summer hours. The Technical Theater Director must possess demonstrated proficiency in multiple aspects of theater technology, including lighting, audio, scenic design, construction, and installation. The physical demands include rigging a full operating fly-loft, operating a lift, loading, and unloading. The Director provides design and technical support for all programs in the Arts Department, including visual arts, theater, dance, choral, orchestral, rock, and jazz, and works collaboratively with all program faculty as well as volunteer parents. The ideal candidate has a degree in Technical Theater or Entertainment Technology. Candidates should have, as a minimum, an undergraduate degree in theater arts with an emphasis in technical theater and/or design.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the daily operations of the arts facilities, including a 686 seat proscenium theater with scene shop and a flexible seat black box studio
- Coordinate the necessary maintenance on all theater equipment and facilities
- Design and execute lighting, sound, and scenery for dance, theater, and music productions
- Manage the scene shop and costume, scenery, and prop storage
- Train and supervise the student technical theater team
- Direct the musical production
- Oversee the visual arts gallery
- Successfully collaborate with colleagues to further advance arts education
Search Process
Candidates should submit a current resume together with a cover letter expressing and explaining their interest in the position as well as contact information for three references. Submissions should be made through the school's website (XXXXXXXXX) under the headings of Explore Careers.
The High School Administrative Team together with the current Technical Theater Director comprise the Search Committee that conducts the search process and recommends an appointment to the Head of School.
There is no deadline for applications, although (school name) would prefer to fill this position as soon as possible.
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Donnie Bryan
Department Chair for Visual and Performing Arts
Nashville TN
Original Message:
Sent: 05-02-2018 11:21
From: Samantha Roop
Subject: Theater Manager Duties/Forms
Good Afternoon,
I was curious if anyone had any advice or an organized process laid out for being a Theater Manager. Currently, we are trying to create several different usage forms/logs and I was curious how other Theaters organize their paper trial efficiently. I am also interested in how much your district pays your Theater Manager or if you are the glorified Theater Manager (free of charge), or if they provide an additional prep, or if you receive an hourly rate and/or stipend? I am also in the process of creating forms, logs, checklist, etc. but this is a new system for me, so I will gladly take ideas or would love to see what you are using in your schools. I would love your feedback and suggestions or better yet forms that you have found to work for your facility/staff members.
Currently, the duties are outlined as:
Schedule all events in the theatre
Maintain a shared calendar of all events scheduled in the theatre
Keep file of Facility Request Forms for events Shared with Athletic Office
Develop a "Needs Log" for set-up and take downs for events, including timeline for requests. This could include a checklist for users
Sign-out keys to theatre users and maintain a log for all keys
Set-up for all events-make certain all equipment is functioning properly
Prepare Event Coordinator to effectively use theatre equipment
Possible availability for phone support on night of events
Communicate/coordinate maintenance and staffing needs with Mr. Grzeskowiak regarding events
Communicate with building principals regarding events for their building that are scheduled in the theatre
Notify Maintenance Department of any issues and schedule needed repairs
Samantha Roop, Ed.S.
DHS Theatre Department
ITS Troupe Director #5087
Play & Musical Director
Varsity Football & Wrestling Head Cheer Coach
Office Phone: 636.586.1085 Ext. 6129
Voicemail: 636.243.2495
Twitter: @DHSTheatreDept & @DHS_Cheer_
De Soto High School.815 Amvets Drive. De Soto, MO 63020
"The mission of the De Soto 73 School District is to ensure learning, growth, and success for all students in a safe environment."
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