Lighting Design TD

Theater Outsource Inc; Town of Florida, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation/PTO

Simple IRA contribution plan after 202

Health-insurance assistance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Theater Outsource Inc. in New York is seeking a full-time Technical Director with a strong lighting background to lead mainstage productions, student works, black-box programming, and special events.

This versatile theatre professional will own the technical side of productions—from lighting and equipment maintenance to production schedules and crew leadership—while the strongest candidate is lighting-focused and proficient with grandMA2.

Qualifications

• Experience in producing theatre or live events.
• Strong lighting experience including programming with grandMA2.
• Ability to lead and manage crew and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the resident technical expert for productions and events.
• Lead and maintain lighting, sound, projections, scenery, rigging, equipment, and effects.
• Develop and manage production and technical schedules with leadership.
• Ensure safety, on-time delivery, and budget adherence.
• Create and maintain technical documentation and shared files.
• Oversee inventory, maintenance, testing, and replacement planning for gear.
• Organize stage areas and workspaces for efficient operations.
• Recruit, assign, and mentor technical team members and interns.
• Lead safety checks and incident reporting; support show strike plans.

Skills

Lighting design

GrandMA2 programming

Crew leadership

Technical theatre

Tools

grandMA2

Job description

Compensation: $45,000–$65,000, based on experience

Start Date: Immediate

Relocation: Assistance available for qualified out-of-state candidates

The Opportunity

A respected performing arts organization is seeking a full-time Technical Director with a strong lighting background to help create and execute mainstage musicians, student productions, black-box programming, and special events.

This role is ideal for a versatile theatre professional who enjoys owning the technical side of productions—from lighting and equipment maintenance to production schedules, crew leadership, safety, and show execution. The strongest candidate will be lighting-focused and proficient with grandMA2, while also comfortable supporting the broader technical needs of a busy producing theatre.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the resident technical expert for theatrical productions and special events.
  
• Lead and maintain technical elements including lighting, sound, projections, scenery, rigging, equipment, and special effects.
  
• Partner with production leadership and shop personnel to build and maintain production and technical schedules.
  
• Ensure technical work is completed safely, on time, within budget, and in support of each production’s artistic vision.
  
• Create and maintain complete technical documentation and organized shared production files.
  
• Manage inventory, maintenance, testing, repair coordination, and replacement planning for lighting, sound, rigging, and related equipment.
  
• Order ongoing technical supplies and maintain appropriate stock levels.
  
• Organize and maintain the stage, wings, shop, booths, storage areas, lofts, and technical workspaces.
  
• Recruit, assign, and retain technical team members and run crew for each production.
  
• Lead safety checks, maintain a safe work environment, and complete incident reporting as needed.
  
• Develop and execute show strike plans in collaboration with the build team.
  
• Supervise and mentor technical interns.
  
• Make informed recommendations on future equipment purchases and technology improvements.
  
• Support technical programming, design, construction, paint, carpentry, sound, projection, and other production needs as appropriate.
  
• Assist with technical camps and educational programming for aspiring theatre technicians.
  
• Provide technical backup during performances and production runs.
  

What You Bring

• Professional technical theatre experience, ideally in a producing theatre, performing arts center, or live-event environment.
  
• Strong lighting experience, including programming proficiency with grandMA2.
  
• Working knowledge of theatrical lighting systems, sound, rigging, scenic construction, and equipment maintenance.
  
• Ability to read production needs, manage priorities, and solve problems calmly in a fast-moving environment.
  
• Strong communication, leadership, organization, and crew-management skills.
  
• Comfort with flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and late nights during technical rehearsals and productions.
  
• Paid vacation/PTO
  
• Simple IRA contribution plan after eligibility requirements are met
  
• Health-insurance assistance
  
• Relocation assistance for qualified candidates