Production Manager

Kentucky Performing Arts; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k)

401(k) matching

Short & Long-Term Disability and Life

Optional Pet Insurance

ID Theft Protection

Supplemental Life Insurance

Annual merit increases

Complimentary event tickets

Job summary

Kentucky Performing Arts is seeking a Production Manager to oversee venues, events, and productions across campus. The role includes leading planning, scheduling, staffing, client communication, and cross-department collaboration, with duties across audio, lighting, and stage crews as needed.

Key responsibilities include coordinating staffing, managing production estimates, reports, and safety standards while supporting budget planning and operational improvements.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of live event production, theatrical operations, venue operations, production planning, stage operations, and event execution.
• Strong understanding of the role of a Production Manager, including advance work, estimates, staffing plans, stage reports, client communication, documentation, and event follow‑through.
• Working knowledge of technical theatre areas, including lighting, audio, video, rigging, staging, projection, carpentry, fly systems, and backstage operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production planning processes, including advance work, show/event estimates, staffing coordination, stage reports, schedules, service orders, and post-event follow-up.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of KPA venues, backstage operations, production equipment, staffing structures, labor practices, safety expectations, and event execution requirements.
• Assist with preventative maintenance planning and operational equipment readiness by identifying maintenance needs, communicating equipment concerns, and coordinating with the Technical Director and production leadership as appropriate.
• Coordinate staffing needs with Production Managers and other production leadership to ensure events are appropriately supported by full-time, part-time, hourly, call-in, union, or contracted personnel.
• Review IATSE and other production-related timecards or labor documentation for accuracy, completeness, and proper submission to Human Resources or Payroll, as assigned.

Skills

Live event production

Theatrical operations

Venue operations

Production planning

Stage operations

Event execution

Microsoft Office

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Production Manager

Department: Production

Reports To: Senior Production Manager

Supervises: KPA and IATSE crews

Starting Pay: Up to $31.25/hour, Non-Exempt

Job Summary

The Production Manager is responsible for overseeing Kentucky Performing Arts’ (KPA) venues, events, productions, and special projects; and when required, work as part of the stage crew in the audio, video, lighting, carpentry, and/or props department. The Production Manager leads production planning and event execution processes, including production estimates, stage reports, staffing coordination, venue readiness, client communication, and cross-department collaboration. While this position requires strong technical theatre knowledge and the ability to support technical needs when required, the primary focus of the role is production management, leadership, event execution, team coordination, and operational oversight.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (Sick, Holiday, and Personal time)
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Company-paid Short & Long-Term Disability and Life insurance
• Optional Pet Insurance, ID Theft Protection, and supplemental Life Insurance
• Annual merit increases
• Complimentary event tickets to select performances

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee production planning processes, including advance work, show/event estimates, staffing coordination, stage reports, schedules, service orders, and post-event follow-up.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of KPA venues, backstage operations, production equipment, staffing structures, labor practices, safety expectations, and event execution requirements.
• Assist with preventative maintenance planning and operational equipment readiness by identifying maintenance needs, communicating equipment concerns, and coordinating with the Technical Director and production leadership as appropriate.
• Coordinate staffing needs with Production Managers and other production leadership to ensure events are appropriately supported by full-time, part-time, hourly, call-in, union, or contracted personnel.
• Review IATSE and other production-related timecards or labor documentation for accuracy, completeness, and proper submission to Human Resources or Payroll, as assigned.
• Promote consistent communication between production staff, internal departments, resident groups, clients, vendors, touring personnel, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Assist in evaluating production needs, venue readiness, staffing models, equipment needs, workflow improvements, and operational processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency, communication, safety, and accountability within the production management function.
• Assist the Senior Director of Production Operations with budget planning, capital planning, production-related purchases, and recommendations for operational improvements.
• Support safety practices in backstage, stage, loading dock, rehearsal, and event spaces by reinforcing compliance with KPA policies, OSHA expectations, fire/life safety requirements, and applicable production safety standards.
• Partner with the Technical Director regarding technical safety concerns, equipment issues, preventive maintenance needs, and technical system limitations that may impact event planning or execution.
• Assist with the coordination, movement, and use of KPA production equipment and supplies across KPA venues and sites, including use of KPA or commercial vehicles when appropriate.
• Provide hands-on production or technical support when business needs require, which may include assisting with stage operations, crew coordination, client support, or technical event support.
• Serve as a professional representative of KPA when communicating with clients, touring productions, vendors, contractors, resident companies, union representatives, employees, and internal departments.
• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and sound judgment when handling budgets, staffing matters, client information, internal communications, performance concerns, or sensitive operational matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of live event production, theatrical operations, venue operations, production planning, stage operations, and event execution.
• Strong understanding of the role of a Production Manager, including advance work, estimates, staffing plans, stage reports, client communication, documentation, and event follow‑through.
• Working knowledge of technical theatre areas, including lighting, audio, video, rigging, staging, projection, carpentry, fly systems, and backstage operations.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, coaching, communication, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to lead employees with confidence, fairness, accountability, and professionalism.
• Ability to manage multiple venues, events, priorities, deadlines, personalities, and last‑minute changes in a fast‑paced live event environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with internal teams, clients, touring personnel, vendors, contractors, union personnel, resident groups, and leadership.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly with schedules, estimates, reports, staffing plans, and event documentation.
• Ability to review work for accuracy, identify gaps, ask appropriate questions, and resolve issues before they impact event execution.
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and solution‑oriented under pressure.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and elevate concerns appropriately.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive information.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and move throughout KPA venues for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and move up to approximately 50 pounds unassisted using proper lifting techniques and/or equipment.
• Ability to climb ladders and work in elevated areas, including lifts, catwalks, grids, or other production‑related spaces as needed.
• Ability to work at heights up to approximately 100 feet when required.
• Ability to push, pull, or move large production‑related items using proper equipment and procedures.
• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, production equipment, radios, computers, and other equipment necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to communicate in environments that may be loud, quiet, active, or require discreet communication.

Schedule & Work Environment

• This position requires a flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, holidays, extended hours, and on‑call availability based on event and business needs.
• Work is performed in office, backstage, stage, front-of-house, loading dock, rehearsal, and venue environments across KPA’s campus and related sites.
• The work environment may include loud noise, low light, heights, moving equipment, active stage operations, time‑sensitive event needs, and interaction with employees, clients, patrons, vendors, contractors, and touring personnel.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in theatrical production, live event production, venue operations, or production management.
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory or leadership experience within a production, theatre, or live event environment.
• Strong working knowledge of live event and theatrical production operations, including staging, lighting, audio, video, rigging, backstage operations, and event execution.
• Experience coordinating productions, crews, staffing, schedules, estimates, stage reports, and event logistics.
• Experience working in a multi‑venue performing arts center, theatre, arena, touring production environment, convention center, or similarly complex live event environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard production‑related software systems.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Theatre, Production Management, Performing Arts Management, or a related field.
• Experience in a multi‑venue performing arts center, Broadway environment, touring production environment, or similarly complex live event operation.
• Experience supervising union labor and large production crews.
• Experience managing Broadway, touring, or large‑scale theatrical productions.
• *OSHA 30 certification.
• *ETC Eos console training or certification.
• *Dante certification or related audio networking training.
• *DOT medical card.
• Denotes certifications or training that may be required based on operational needs, assigned responsibilities, or departmental expectations. If they are not currently held at the time of hire or promotion, they may be obtained during employment within agreed‑upon timelines established by KPA leadership.

About Kentucky Performing Arts

We fulfill our statewide mission of connecting and inspiring through the arts by presenting world-class performances, fostering meaningful connections between artists and the community, and expanding access to arts education opportunities. We operate a family of premier venues in Louisville, Kentucky, including The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, The Brown Theatre, and Old Forester’s Paristown Hall.

Kentucky Performing Arts is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.