Production/AV Technician, Theater

Whitney Museum of American Art Llc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 77,000; Part time

Job summary

The Whitney Museum of American Art is seeking Production Technicians for the Hess Theater and related spaces. Roles cover lighting, audio, video, carpentry/rigging, networking, and general stagehand duties.

Work is on an hourly roster for upwards of 300 events annually, with a focus on professional collaboration with artists and rental clients. Candidates should have 5+ years in theatrical environments, strong communication, and a readiness to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in theatrical production or equivalent setting.
• Ability to read technical drawings and paperwork.
• Familiarity with venue systems and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain the Hess Theater systems and support spaces.
• Provide hands-on support for live performances and events.
• Collaborate with artists and production teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Set up, test, and troubleshoot equipment before events.
• Maintain equipment and inventory across storage areas.
• Adhere to safety protocols to protect staff and visitors.
• Assist with load-in, setup, strike, and load-out duties.
• Participate in regular training and cross-training.

Skills

Lighting design

Audio systems

Video/Film operation

Carpentry/Rigging

Networking & Show Control

Safety protocols

Tools

QLab

Dante

NDI

ETC Ion

Vectorworks

Q-SYS

Ableton

Job description

[Currently seeking]

• Video-focused technicians
• Lighting-focused technicians

The Whitney’s Theater Operations team is looking for skilled Production Technicians with demonstrated experience in general theatrical production, corporate event, and screening room settings. We seek to fill a roster with self-starters who may specialize in one or more of the following areas: Lighting, Audio, Video/Film, and Carpentry/Rigging, Networking & Show Control, and general stagehand duties (see details below). These roles are hourly and scheduled on an as-needed basis. They will contribute to the success of upwards of 300 annual events.

General responsibilities

• Serve as expert in the operation and regular maintenance of the Susan and John Hess Family Theater and its theatrical systems, supporting other spaces as needed.
• Under oversight ofProduction Supervisors, provide hands‑on support for live performances, corporate events, dinners, receptions, artist talks, film screenings, and a variety of other events.
• Collaborate with artists, internal/external programmers, and internal/external production team members to ensure seamless event execution that lands as close as possible to the desired vision; accommodate technical needs or suggest creative alternatives when appropriate.
• Take pride in carefully ensuring that the best theatrical or cinematic experience is being delivered for events of any size
• Set up, test, and troubleshoot technical equipment and systems prior to events, working with the Theater Operations team to make necessary repairs and solve last‑minute issues resourcefully.
• Maintain and organize technical equipment and inventory across multiple storage areas, ensuring all tools and systems are in good working order.
• Adhere to safety protocols and best practices in all operations, ensuring that our visitors, artists, staff, and building are kept out of harm’s way.
• Serve as a general hand as needed in all areas, including for load‑in, setup, strike, and load‑out duties.
• Participate in regular training and cross‑training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant experience in a theatrical/performance, corporate event, or equivalent setting. Interdisciplinary knowledge of other departments is a plus.
• Friendly and professional attitude—Technicians will work in close proximity to the Whitney’s artists & programming teams as well as high‑level rental clients.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal skills to “read the room,” adapting communication and technical approaches to align with the needs and vision of diverse artists, programmers, rental clients, and colleagues.
• Ability to read, understand, and execute technical drawings and paperwork.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 Suite, Google Suite, Dropbox, Mac OSX, area‑specific software and hardware.
• Available to work nights, weekends, and possible holidays.
• Member in good standing of IATSE Local 306, or willing to become a member.

Physical requirements

• Comfort working at heights up to 30’ on ladders and personnel lifts.
• Ability to regularly walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, reach and climb in various positions to perform tasks.
• Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move heavier equipment.

Desired areas of expertise

Audio

• Skillfully set up and operate audio systems for events requiring anything from a simple lectern mic to a 7.1 film screening to a 16-channel spatial audio piece accompanied by a live band with IEMs.
• Understand venue’s signal flow from input to output with the ability to modify, adapt, and troubleshoot both the analog and digital portions of the system.
• Utilize strong knowledge of software-based controls like Dante networked audio, QLab, Ableton, and Reaper to build organize, deliver, and record content to artist and client satisfaction.
• Have a finger on the pulse for new and upcoming technologies, ways of working, and be able to recommend potential upgrades for the space.

Video/Film/Camera Operator

• Operate digital and/or analog (2 x 16mm/35mm Kinotons) projection systems and associated equipment for screenings, presentations, and performance art.
• Utilize strong knowledge of QLab, PowerPoint, and Keynote to build, organize, and deliver content to client’s satisfaction.
• Install, operate, and maintain additional video gear from projectors, rolling TVs, and PTZ camera systems for livestreaming/capture/hybrid meetings as needed. Potential opportunity to direct livestreams and video capture of events.
• Familiarity with Dante and NDI networks, KVM systems, Wirecast, Zoom & ZoomISO, Black Magic Design ATEM + peripherals, and Roland video switchers.
• Ensure proper alignment, resolution, and quality for projected media.
• Have a finger on the pulse for new and upcoming technologies, ways of working, and be able to recommend potential upgrades for the space.

Lighting

• Ability to hang, circuit, focus, and troubleshoot theatrical lighting fixtures; knowledge of rigging and mounting techniques.
• Skills in lighting design and operation (ETC Ion, Nomad); knowledge of theatrical lighting techniques.
• Proficiency in Vectorworks, Lightwright, QLab, basic networking.
• Have a finger on the pulse for new and upcoming technologies, ways of working, and be able to recommend potential upgrades for the space.

Carpentry & Rigging

• Set up, strike, and care for stage decking, seating, soft goods, scenic elements, flooring, etc.
• Build, source, modify, treat, and repair scenic elements, props, etc. in conjunction with artists and other production staff.
• Operate and maintain automation systems including 59 axes of soft goods and a retractable seating system.
• Rig or assist with rigging standard theatrical elements such as box truss, traveler tracks, soft goods, projectors, speakers, and occasional bespoke art objects.
• Perform safety inspections and ensure compliance with ESTA, ANSI, and all other relevant protocols; voice safety concerns strongly and immediately, working in a productive manner to resolve issues or find alternative solutions.

Networking & Show Control

• Maintain and troubleshoot networking hardware and systems across Audio (Dante, Shure, d&b), Video (QLab, NDI), Lighting (ETCnet, OSCRouter), Control (Q-SYS), and Automation (PosiStageNet, OSC) with specific understanding of the nuances that separate theatrical systems from a traditional networking infrastructure.
• Perform regular maintenance and schedule upgrades to ensure reliable connectivity and integration across all systems.

General Stagehand/Production Assistance

• Assist all departments with loading, unloading, moving, setting up, operating, and striking equipment for events.
• Serve as run crew or talent wrangler during events.
• Provide support for all technical areas, artist, and clients, as needed.

Compensation

This position is covered by IATSE Local 306.

The minimum hourly rate as of the posting date is $47.81.

About the Whitney

The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years.

The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States.

Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.

Its signature exhibition, the Biennial, is the country's leading survey of the most recent developments in American art.

EEO Statement

The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.