Technical Director

City of Elkhart, Indiana; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 34,440 - 57,400; Full time

Job summary

City of Elkhart, Indiana seeks a Technical Director for the Lerner Theatre to oversee lighting, sound and production tech. You will supervise crews, coordinate with directors and vendors, and ensure safe, high-quality performances. Hours vary with productions and schedules are set with the Director of Operations.

Requires four years in stage equipment operation, strong technical knowledge, and safety focus. Drug screen and background checks apply as part of post-offer requirements.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required; strong background in theater technical operations.
• Minimum four years’ experience operating and maintaining stage equipment including sound systems.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and ability to supervise crews.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate setup and operation of technical support equipment for all stage presentations.
• Lead stage crews for setup, operation, and teardown of events.
• Manage resources and staff per organizational structure.
• Keep equipment and stage area safe and ready for performances.
• Coordinate with show directors on scenery, lighting, and sound.
• Operate audio and lighting systems and rigging when required.
• Repair and maintain curtains, fixtures, and stage equipment.
• Perform minor electrical repairs and coordinate major repairs.
• Maintain running inventory of theatre supplies.
• Implement routine maintenance to extend equipment lifespan.

Skills

Stage equipment knowledge

Lighting

Sound systems

Electrical troubleshooting

Team supervision

Networking basics for venues

Problem solving

Education

HS diploma or GED

4 years stage equipment operation experience

Tools

Lighting equipment

Sound equipment

Stage rigging tools

Job description

Job Summary

The Technical Director is responsible for the Lerner Theatre's technical operations, including lighting, sound, and other production needs. This role requires independent judgment and decision making across a wide range of duties, along with the ability to develop new methods and procedures to support high quality productions. The Technical Director coordinates technical and labor crews to ensure the successful execution of dance, music, theater, and other live performances. This position works closely with production managers, technical services providers, and equipment vendors, as well as the General Manager, Director of Operations, and the broader Lerner Theatre team. Work hours will vary based on production schedules and will be coordinated with the Director of Operations.

City Of Elkhart - Job Description

DEPARTMENT

Lerner Theater

POSITION

Technical Director

DIVISION

Lerner Theater

STATUS

Full-Time

CATEGORY

Salary, Up to $57,400

FLSA

Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO

Director of Operations

DATE

2026

Job Summary

The Technical Director is responsible for the Lerner Theatre's technical operations, including lighting, sound, and other production needs. This role requires independent judgment and decision making across a wide range of duties, along with the ability to develop new methods and procedures to support high quality productions. The Technical Director coordinates technical and labor crews to ensure the successful execution of dance, music, theater, and other live performances. This position works closely with production managers, technical services providers, and equipment vendors, as well as the General Manager, Director of Operations, and the broader Lerner Theatre team. Work hours will vary based on production schedules and will be coordinated with the Director of Operations.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

• Coordinate the set up and operation of technical support equipment for all stage presentations.
• Coordinate stage crews for set up, operation, and break down for all stage events.
• Manage resources and staff in accordance with the organizational chart.
• Maintain equipment and stage area in a ready and safe working and performing condition.
• Coordinate with show directors and arrange scenery, settings, lighting, and sound for the theater, road shows, and other area locations.
• Operate the audio system, stage lights, house curtains, and counterweight stage rigging system.
• Construct, repair, and maintain various curtains, fixtures, stage settings, and equipment.
• Perform minor repair and maintenance on electrical equipment and circuits. Coordinate any major repairs needed to such equipment.
• Keep running inventory of all onsite theatre supplies needed in building.
• Implement routine maintenance and repairs of theatrical technical equipment to ensure a prolonged lifespan.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the Director of Operations regarding job duties, work schedule, equipment and staffing needs, etc.
• Maintain needed records including scheduling of task and status check lists relating to job functions.

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or GED.
• Four (4) years’ experience in the operation and maintenance of stage equipment, including sound systems, incidents to a large stage or arena.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Working knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures of theater, dance, music, and other stage productions.
• Knowledge and diagnostics of computer networking as related to a performance venue.
• Knowledge of electrically and manually operated stage and sound equipment and of the methods, materials, tools, and practices required for their repair and maintenance.
• Knowledge of stage settings, lighting, and wiring for sound.
• Knowledge of applicable safety precautions and procedures.
• Ability to plan, layout and supervise sound systems for a variety of shows.
• Ability to produce desired stage and lighting effects.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations.

Physical, Mental, And Visual Skills

• Visual ability to read stage and light plots and detect subtle shades of color.
• Hearing ability to use intercom system and decipher audio inputs.
• Ability to work using all types of lifts and equipment.
• Ability to climb ladders and work on overhead scaffolding, "A" ladder, and cat walks of up to 70' in height.
• Skills in the use of hand tools are essential to the work involved.
• Ability to carry lighting instruments to tip of "A" ladder.
• Ability to work extended hours
• Ability to work under adverse conditions, such as loud noise, heat, cold, and outdoor weather as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to work under stress and at a fast pace and always maintain a pleasant attitude at the same time. Always treat the public kindly. Work is performed in 40 plus hours per week. Please note that some weeks may exceed this anticipated average.
• Work is performed in a theater/stage environment with some work performed in other locations including outdoor venues.

Post Offer Testing Requirements

• The City of Elkhart is a Drug Free Workplace. Therefore, successfully passing a post offer drug screen is required (random drug testing may be conducted after employment).
• Background checks producing acceptable BMV and criminal history reports required.

POLICY STATEMENT

• The incumbent is required to possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the physical, mental, and visual skills described in this job description to perform the principal duties, responsibilities and essential job functions.
• This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. Principal duties and responsibilities are intended to describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job and other duties and responsibilities include those that are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of this job.
• This job description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employee holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the Mayor. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.