Sorry I'm chiming in so late here, I've just been busy finishing up grading the final projects for my Theatre Management Training course students (next cohort starts on May 31st, if you're interested).
In any case, thanks for the shout-out George! I do indeed have some info about the differences between a TM and a TD. And I agree with everyone – you really need to define what duties this person is expected to perform. Below is an excerpt from the Staffing chapter of my book High School Theatre Operations regarding the TM vs TD issue. And also, I'm attaching a list – also found in the book - that spells out the Duties of a school TM (although of course, each school is different, so this may vary for you). I've left it in Word, so you can pilfer away!
As for a salary range, I've seen from "stipends" up to around $60,000 with full benefits.
As for the TD/TM also being a classroom teacher, those are two full-time jobs. Please see my response to Shannon's post at: https://community.schooltheatre.org/discussion/advice-for-starting-a-performing-arts-program-at-a-small-private-school?ReturnUrl=%2fcommunities-nav%2fcommunities%2fcommunity-home%2fdigestviewer%3fcommunitykey%3d35d3756e-031c-447e-a020-14aeb57718f1
All the best,
THEATRE MANAGER OR TECHNICAL DIRECTOR (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. 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
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2023 14:21
From: Jane Dewey
Subject: Research on salary range for technical directors
Hello -
I am the Director of Arts Education for a small public school district in Kentucky. Our district theatre technical director is retiring at the end of the school year. As if often the case, the position may evolve and I'm doing some research on other public schools/districts that have a theatre used by the schools in the district and the community. I'm specifically interested in salary requirements and responsibilities and if your TD teaches any theatre classes. Feel free to send me an email if that's easier,
jane.dewey@danville.kyschools.us. Thank you!
Gravely Hall Performing Arts Center
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