ICDT! Lighting Designer for KIDS & Showcase

I Can Do That Performing Arts Center; Danville (CA); On-site; USD 300 - 1,000; Part time

Job summary

I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center is seeking a Lighting Designer for KIDS and SHOWCASE productions. The role involves designing and implementing lighting to support storytelling, performers, choreography, and scenery, with pre-production design work, load-in, focus, and programming, plus tech-week participation.

The ideal candidate will bring artistic creativity and technical knowledge to a youth theatre environment. Remote/on-call support may be required during performances.

Responsibilities

• Meet with the directors and production team to discuss the show's vision, lighting needs, color palette, mood, and special effects.
• Develop a preliminary lighting concept appropriate for the production, venue, scenery, and available equipment.
• Attend/watch scheduled designer runs and/or production meetings as needed.
• Participate in a lighting paper tech with the director and production team at load-in
• Create and organize lighting cues in preparation for technical rehearsals.
• Communicate proactively with the director and production team regarding lighting needs, challenges, and solutions.

Job description

ICDT! Lighting Designer for KIDS & Showcase

I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center

Position Type: Contract / Project-Based Productions: KIDS and SHOWCASE Productions Compensation: A total of $1,000 stipend for the KIDS productions and/or $300 for SHOWCASE Reports To: Artistic Director and Programming Director

Position Overview

I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center is seeking a creative, collaborative, and technically skilled Lighting Designer to design and implement lighting for our KIDS and SHOWCASE productions.

The Lighting Designer will work closely with the directors to develop a lighting design that supports the storytelling, performers, choreography, scenery, and overall artistic vision of each production. The role includes pre-production design work, theatre load-in, lighting focus and programming, and participation throughout tech week.

We are looking for someone who can bring both artistic creativity and practical technical knowledge to the production process and who enjoys working in a youth performing arts environment.

Please Note: ICDT! performances take place at The Village Theatre. The Village Theatre has an ETC Element Lighting Board. When saving files, they need to be saved in the non 3D version. Programming accessibility is needed on your own as there is not time allotted in the theatre to program.

Responsibilities

Design & Pre-Production

• Meet with the directors and production team to discuss the show's vision, lighting needs, color palette, mood, and special effects.
• Develop a preliminary lighting concept appropriate for the production, venue, scenery, and available equipment.
• Attend/watch scheduled designer runs and/or production meetings as needed.
• Participate in a lighting paper tech with the director and production team at load-in
• Create and organize lighting cues in preparation for technical rehearsals.
• Communicate proactively with the director and production team regarding lighting needs, challenges, and solutions.

Theatre Load-In & Lighting Setup

• Attend the scheduled load-in at Village Theater
• Work with Village Theatre technicians to adjust and focus lighting fixtures according to the production's lighting design.
• Replace or adjust gobos and other lighting components as needed.
• Work with the production team to ensure lighting integrates appropriately with scenery and other technical elements.
• Program the lighting console and establish the show's lighting cues.
• Make adjustments based on the set, staging, choreography, and director's feedback.

Tech Week

KIDS Tech Week Schedule:

Showcase Tech Week Schedule:

• Attend scheduled tech week rehearsals.
• Participate in cue-to-cue rehearsals and technical rehearsals.
• Make lighting adjustments as needed while working with performers and the director in the theatre.
• Take notes throughout tech and implement necessary changes.
• Refine lighting cues to ensure smooth transitions and appropriate visibility throughout the production.
• Collaborate with other members of the production team to resolve technical issues.

Performances

The Lighting Designer is not required to attend performances, but should be available remotely/on call for questions or lighting‑related issues that may arise during the performance run, when reasonably possible. Designer will be additionally compensated if available to run lights for all shows.

Load‑Out

The Lighting Designer is not required to attend load‑out. Theatre technicians will handle removal of gobos, returning equipment to the house plot, and other standard lighting strike responsibilities.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience designing and programming theatrical lighting.
• Knowledge of theatrical lighting equipment, fixtures, consoles, and basic electrical safety.
• The ability to hang, focus, and adjust theatrical lighting equipment.
• Strong artistic instincts and an understanding of how lighting supports storytelling and performance.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• The ability to work effectively with directors, choreographers, designers, technicians, and youth performers.
• Flexibility and a positive, solutions‑oriented attitude during the fast‑paced tech process.
• The ability to work independently while also taking direction and incorporating feedback.
• Experience with musical theatre, youth theatre, dance, or educational performing arts is a plus.

Time Commitment

The lighting design process generally takes place over several months and includes:

• Initial design/vision meetings
• Attend/watch designer runs and/or production meetings
• Lighting paper tech
• Theatre lighting load‑in
• Lighting focus and programming
• Tech week rehearsals
• Limited on‑call availability during performances

Here are the dates & times for load in, tech, and shows:

Frozen Load in: 11/10 11am-3pm

Frozen Cast A: tech 11/10 & 11/11 3:30-7:30pm, show 11/15 12-9pm

Frozen Cast B: tech 11/12 & 11/13 3:30-7:30pm, show 11/14 12-9pm

Frozen Cast C: tech 11/17 & 11/18 3:30-7:30pm, show 11/22 12-9pm

Frozen Cast D: tech 11/19 & 11/20 3:30-7:30pm, show 11/21 12-9pm

Showcase Load in: 12/3 12-3pm

Showcase: tech 12/3 & 12/4 3:30-7:30pm, show Show 12/5 12-9pm

Frozen Load in: 12/15 11am-3pm

Frozen Cast E: tech 12/15 & 12/16 3:30-7:30pm, show 12/20 12-9pm

Frozen Cast F: tech 12/17 & 12/18 3:30-7:30pm, show 12/19 12-9pm

Compensation

The Lighting Designer will receive a total of $1,000 stipend for the KIDS productions and/or $300 for our Showcase production, paid by check upon completion of the contracted scope of work.

This is a project‑based independent contractor position. Selected candidates will be required to complete a W-9 for tax purposes and execute a contract outlining the specific dates, responsibilities, and terms for the production.