Fries Arts Building Manager and Theatrical Technician

Wesleyan Local Food Co-Op; Middletown (CT); On-site; USD 50,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Fries Arts Building Manager and Theatrical Technician to lead operations in a new creative hub. This role involves managing performance venues, coordinating technical production schedules, and fostering a collaborative environment for artistic experimentation. Ideal candidates will have a background in technical theater, strong communication skills, and a passion for supporting diverse artistic endeavors. Join a dynamic team dedicated to enriching the arts experience for students and the community, making a significant impact in a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere.

Benefits

Comprehensive group insurance plans

Wellness programs and incentives

Generous paid time off

Retirement plans

Flexible work schedules

Employee tuition programs

Qualifications

• 3+ years in lighting, multimedia, sound, and technical theater production.
• Experience in creating and implementing production schedules.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule during production weeks.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for the Fries Arts Building.
• Coordinate production calendars for performance venues.
• Ensure students follow industry-standard safety practices.

Skills

Lighting

Multimedia

Sound

Technical Theater Production

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Google Calendar

Google Apps

Microsoft Office Suite

Vectorworks

AutoCad

Job description

Fries Arts Building Manager and Theatrical Technician page is loaded

Fries Arts Building Manager and Theatrical Technician

Apply locations Middletown, CT (Main Campus) time type Full time posted on Posted Yesterday job requisition id R100685

Wesleyan University is known for its global and experimental perspective on the arts and its innovative integration of the arts into the curriculum and the core of campus life. Its robust series of arts programs by faculty, students, and visiting artists serve to create a cultural center for the campus, the local Middletown community, and audiences from across Central Connecticut and the New England region. The university’s Arts Production team supports the technical and production needs of the departments of dance, music, theater, and art and art history, student groups, and Wesleyan University’s Center for the Arts (CFA) which focuses on visiting artists and the incubation of original creative work.

Opening in the Fall of 2025, the Fries Arts Building (FAB) will serve as a campus nexus for the arts, bringing together multiple disciplines including drawing, design, dance, music, and theater. The FAB is both a space for teaching and presenting, with studios, offices, presentation venues, and flexible space that will draw together practitioners from across the disciplines.

Reporting to the Producing Director for the Arts and working closely with the Theater Department, Dance Department, Studio Art Department, and Center for the Arts, the FAB Manager and Theatrical Technician is Art Production’s main manager and technician serving the diverse needs of the FAB, including its main experimental theater. This includes being the building steward and coordinator, as well as the main performing arts technician for the building's theater space and movement studio. The position will be the key staff in establishing and implementing an operational framework for this exciting new facility on campus.

Responsibilities Include:

Building Management:

• Provide operational leadership for FAB, including coordinating the schedules of two multi-use performance venues/classrooms and other curricular spaces.
• Liaison with Physical Plant around necessary minor and major maintenance projects happening in FAB to ensure proper stewardship of the facility.
• In collaboration with FAB stakeholders, establish operating rules that follow university safety standards and cultivate a welcoming environment that fosters creativity at the facility.
• Communicate with and facilitate communication between stakeholders using FAB to ensure smooth operations of the facility.
• Execute event needs through partnerships with internal and external university service providers in coordination with the Assistant Director, Arts Production.
• Hire, train, and supervise student staff to provide building support.
• Coordinate and assist with receiving materials coming into the building when needed.

Theatrical Technician:

• Coordinate FAB’s production calendars for two performance venues in collaboration with FAB stakeholders. This includes facilitating pre-established production schedules from the Dance Department, the Theater Department, and the Office of CFA in conjunction with the classroom needs of spaces.
• Coordinate and implement various venue setups for dance and theater performances through a combination of student staff supervision and hands-on technical work.
• Ensure students working in the space are trained in and follow industry-standard safety and production practices, including scenic construction, lighting, rigging, multimedia, and sound techniques.
• Oversee and maintain theatrical equipment and inventory, as well as other building multimedia systems, where necessary.

Arts Production Team Member:

• Attend Arts Production staff and production meetings.
• Collaborate with other Arts Production staff members to support and implement class and performance setups as necessary.
• Work as a technician in other Wesleyan performing arts spaces as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience in lighting, multimedia, sound, and/or technical theater production for performance, including at least one year of direct technical director and/or production management experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and related experience.
• Experience in creating and implementing production schedules.
• Experience in modeling and instructing others in safe production practices, including proper use of power tools, ladders, personnel lifts, and personal protective equipment.
• Experience working at heights on ladders and lifts and ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodations.
• Enthusiasm for creative experimentation, empathy for artistic process, and a passion for collaborative production practices.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and some weekends and evenings as needed, particularly during production weeks.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Google Calendar, Google Apps, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and effectively manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to find consensus among multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with individuals of different backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous facility or venue management experience.
• Experience in using Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet (DANTE) system.
• Proficiency in Vectorworks or AutoCad.
• Experience working wire tension lighting grids.
• Experience supervising students or interns.
• Experience with theatrical rigging practices and safety standards.
• Experience with sustainable theatrical production practices.

This position is required to work on campus.

(Relocation assistance to CT is available for those who qualify).

Position is open until filled. For full consideration, please apply by May 27, 2025 when first review of applications will begin.

Compensation: $50,800-$63,775Work Location: On Campus

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed toVice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html .

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html .

Similar Jobs (1)

Temporary Arts Production Overhire

locations Middletown, CT (Main Campus) time type Part time posted on Posted 30+ Days Ago

We welcome your interest in Wesleyan’s diverse, energetic community of employees who, by their creativity, innovative thinking, and generosity of spirit, help make Wesleyan a great place to work.

In this open-minded and inclusive environment, our faculty and staff foster a liberal arts experience characterized by boldness, rigor, and practical idealism.

If you are currently employed at WES, you must apply for positions through Job Hubs in your Workday portal. There you will find an abbreviated application form making this process much easier for you!