Lighting Design TD

Theater Outsource; United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation/PTO

Simple IRA

Health-insurance assistance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Theater Outsource is seeking a full-time Technical Director with a strong lighting background to create and execute mainstage productions, student shows, black-box programming, and special events.

The ideal candidate will own the technical side of productions—from lighting and equipment maintenance to production schedules, crew leadership, safety, and show execution; grandMA2 proficiency is required, with the ability to support broader technical needs.

Qualifications

• Professional technical theatre experience in producing theatre or similar.
• Strong lighting background with ability to lead crews.
• Ability to read production needs and manage priorities.
• Flexibility with evenings, weekends, and late nights.

Responsibilities

• Serve as resident technical expert for productions.
• Lead lighting, sound, projections, scenery, rigging, and effects.
• Build and maintain production and technical schedules.
• Ensure safety, on-time, within budget, support artistic vision.
• Create and maintain technical docs and files.
• Manage inventory and equipment maintenance.
• Organize stage and tech spaces.
• Recruit and mentor technical staff.
• Lead safety checks and incident reporting.
• Support show strike planning and execution.
• Provide technical backup during performances.

Skills

Lighting

grandMA2

Crew management

Budgeting

Safety protocols

Communication

Tools

grandMA2

Sound systems

Rigging systems

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