Lead Technical Theatre Manager – Bing & 3 Venues

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

USC School of Dramatic Arts seeks a Technical Theatre Manager to lead production operations across the Bing Theatre and three additional venues. You will supervise staff and students, coordinate rehearsals, and ensure safety and high standards of operational excellence.

Reporting to the Head of Production, you will help plan more than 20 annual productions, support design execution for lighting, sound, video, and rigs, and collaborate with related USC units and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in theatre production.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in theatrical production or venue operations.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, crews, and student workers.
• Comprehensive knowledge of theatrical production practices including lighting, sound, and rigging.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical operations for the Bing Theatre and three additional venues, including lighting, sound, rigging, and production infrastructure.
• Support planning and implementation of more than 20 productions annually.
• Supervise technical staff and student employees, providing leadership and mentorship.
• Support lighting, sound, video, and technical production designs for students, faculty, and guest artists.
• Coordinate technical rehearsals, performances, special events, and institutional programming.
• Manage venue rental operations, including planning, staffing, scheduling, and client support.
• Collaborate with Thornton School of Music, Kaufman School of Dance, and other campus units using SDA venues.
• Ensure safety, compliance with policies, and best practices across all venues.
• Oversee preventative maintenance for lighting, sound, and stage systems; manage service contracts.
• Participate in long-range planning for equipment replacement and technology upgrades.
• Support business continuity and emergency preparedness for venues and productions.

Skills

Technical theatre operations

Venue and event operations

Lighting systems

Sound reinforcement

Rigging and stage machinery

Entertainment networking

Budgeting & equipment planning

Staff supervision

Safety & regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Theatre or related field

Tools

ETC Eos consoles

GrandMA

Networking

Video technologies

Job description

USC School of Dramatic Arts seeks a Technical Theatre Manager to lead production operations across the Bing Theatre and three additional venues. You will supervise staff and students, coordinate rehearsals, and ensure safety and high standards of operational excellence.

Reporting to the Head of Production, you will help plan more than 20 annual productions, support design execution for lighting, sound, video, and rigs, and collaborate with related USC units and external partners.