Light Board Programmer

Berklee College of Music; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Boston Conservatory at Berklee is seeking a Light Board Programmer to serve as the primary controller of the lighting console during technical and dress rehearsals. You will work closely with the Lighting Designer to program cues for Mainstage Theater, Opera, and other productions, and supervise student technicians throughout the rehearsal process.

The role requires programming LED and moving lights with ETC EOS-family consoles, strong knowledge of cueing workflows, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 2+ years as electrician, light board programmer, light board operator, or lighting designer in a professional theater or arts environment.
• Experience working with college students in a professional capacity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary controller of lighting console for technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals across Theater, Dance, and Music Divisions.
• Attend rehearsals to support productions.
• Work with Lighting Designer to write, revise and maintain cues, including moving lights and effects.
• Troubleshoot issues quickly to maintain momentum during rehearsals.
• Coordinate with Performance Services on cue changes, system needs and priorities.
• Maintain lighting console, perform daily power cycling and minor maintenance.
• Guide and train student workers on startup, shutdown, and troubleshooting procedures.

Skills

LED lighting programming

Moving lights

ETC EOS consoles

Cueing workflows

Team collaboration

Reading lighting plots

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

ETC EOS family consoles

Lightwright

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Description: The Light Board Programmer at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BCB) provides critical expertise and support for BCB productions including musicians, operas, plays, etc. The Light Board Programmer serves as the primary controller of the lighting console in the technical rehearsal period, collaborating with professional designers and student workers to support the artistic vision of a production. Under the department of Performance Services, the Light Board Programmer reports to the Production Operations Manager and collaborates closely with the full production team, including guest directors, guest designers, and faculty of Theater, Dance, and Music divisions. Boston Conservatory students fulfill positions on productions in both curricular and professional capacities, and the Light Board Programmer will be expected to provide support to student board operators. This is a temporary part-time non-exempt position that is expected to work on five productions at 20-25 hours per production in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Evening and weekend hours will be required.

Please see the anticipated schedule below, which includes technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals.

Sweeney Todd in Concert: 9/26/26 - 9/29/26

She Loves Me: 10/31/26 - 11/2/26

La Boheme: 11/14/26 - 11/16/26

Marie Antoinette: 2/20/27 - 2/22/27

Crazy For You: 4/3/27 - 4/5/27

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as primary controller of lighting console for technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and dark time/notes calls for BCB productions across Theater, Dance, and Music Divisions, with a focus on Mainstage Theater and Opera performances
• Attend technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and dark time/notes calls to support the productions
• Work directly with the Lighting Designer to write, revise and maintain cues throughout the technical rehearsal process, including the programming of moving lights, effects, chases, and other complex needs
• Anticipate programming needs, troubleshoot issues quickly and help maintain forward momentum during fast-paced technical rehearsals
• Communicate clearly with the Performance Services team about cue changes, system needs, maintenance notes, and production priorities
• Ensure lighting console is maintained throughout technical process, including daily power cycling, minor maintenance, and trouble‑shooting
• Provide guidance and support for students filling production positions in curricular and professional capacities, including training on console start up, console shut down, and system trouble‑shooting procedures

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. A degree in Theater or related field is preferred
• Two or more years experience working as an electrician, light board programmer, light board operator, and/or lighting designer in a professional theater or other arts environment
• Experience working with college students in a professional capacity

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• Working knowledge of standard theatrical practices and procedures
• General knowledge of theater, musical theater, and/or opera production needs

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Demonstrated experience in programming LED, conventional lighting systems, and moving lights
• Demonstrated experience programming ETC EOS-family consoles in live theatre, opera, dance, or comparable production environments
• Strong knowledge of programming workflows, including cueing, tracking, timing, palettes/presets, effects, magic sheets, show file organization, and troubleshooting
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Lighting Designers, Assistant Lighting Designers, stage management, production teams, and artists to translate artistic direction into accurate, repeatable cues
• Ability to read and interpret lighting plots, channel hookups, instrument schedules, Lightwright paperwork, and related production documentation
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Suite and Dropbox for record-keeping and communications

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Occasional supervision of Production Technician assistants

Occasional supervision of student workers during technical rehearsal process

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Indoor environments, some with low light: stages, backstage areas, dressing rooms, costume shop, props storage, office spaces

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, ETC

Seated and standing positions Stairs, ladders Reaching up to shelves Occasional nights and weekends

HIRING RANGE

Hiring Range: $26 - $28/hour; salary dependent on relevant experience and education.

Employee Type: Temporary (Fixed Term)

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at [e-mail] or call 617-747-2375.

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