Technical Director - School of Theatre and Dance

James Madison University; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

James Madison University invites applications for a full-time Technical Director in the School of Theatre and Dance. The 12-month Administrative & Professional position oversees the scene shop, production budgets, and coordination with faculty and guest artists. Teaching opportunities in technical direction may be available.

The role requires strong leadership, safety oversight, and the ability to mentor students while accommodating evenings/weekends in a dynamic theatre program.

Qualifications

• MFA in Technical Direction, Theatre Production, or related field, or Bachelor's with substantial experience.
• Professional experience in technical direction or scenic production.
• Ability to lead carpentry, welding, rigging, scenic painting, properties.
• Proficiency with Vectorworks or AutoCAD for construction docs.
• Experience supervising student crews or staff.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead construction, load-in, and strike for STAD productions.
• Develop construction plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Collaborate with designers, managers, and guest artists.
• Maintain scene shop and equipment; ensure safety.
• Mentor students and coordinate with production staff.
• Support non-standard work schedule including evenings/weekends.

Skills

Technical direction

Carpentry

Rigging

Scenic painting

CAD drafting

Budgeting

Student supervision

Leadership

Safety protocols

Education

MFA in Technical Direction

Bachelor's degree with experience

Tools

Vectorworks

AutoCAD

Job description

Working Title: Technical Director - School of Theatre and Dance

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Department: 100019 - School Theatre and Dance

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate:Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $55,000 - $63,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date:10/10/2026

About JMU:

Mission We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives. Vision To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world. Who We Are Situated in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty. JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The School of Theatre and Dance is in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and has approximately 300 students and offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Dance. Housed in the award-winning Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, the School has a collegial environment and provides practice-based training within a liberal arts tradition. https://www.jmu.edu/theatredance/index.shtml The James Madison University School of Theatre and Dance (STAD) is searching for a Technical Director. This is a full-time, 12-month, Administrative and Professional Faculty position in the College of and Performing Arts (CVPA), reporting to the Director of the School of Theatre and Dance. This colleague will supervise and participate in the execution of all departmental productions (Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Dance) while overseeing the management and maintenance of the scene shop and its related spaces (e.g., performance venues, storage spaces, etc.) and equipment. Teaching opportunities are available in technical direction and related areas.

The Technical Director serves as a key member of the production leadership team within the School of Theatre and Dance and leads the planning and realization of technical elements for the School's production season. Working in close collaboration with the Production Manager, faculty, designers, and guest artists, the Technical Director develops construction plans, prepares estimates, manages production schedules and budgets, and oversees the safe and effective operation of the scene shop and related production facilities. The Technical Director supervises shop staff, student employees, and over-hire labor while fostering a collaborative and welcoming learning environment in which students gain hands-on experience in theatrical production practices. Through mentorship, collaboration, and adherence to professional safety and production standards, the Technical Director supports the successful realization of productions with artistic integrity, technical excellence, and strong educational value. The School of Theatre and Dance supports a culture of collaborative planning and sustainable production practices that balance artistic ambition with responsible use of time, labor, and resources.

• Lead and participate in construction, load-in, and strike of scenery, properties, and rigging for all STAD productions, and changeovers for student driven studio productions.
• Develop construction plans, drafts, deliverable schedules, and budgets for scenery and properties for STAD productions.
• Serve as Dance Technical Director for New Dance Festival, Dancescapes, and New Voices in Dance in coordination with the Lighting Shop Manager and Sound Supervisor.
• Work with the production manager, faculty, student, and guest artist designers to develop estimates, track budgets, organize production milestones, and ensure that material and labor budgets remain in scope.
• Purchase materials, schedule workers, and manage and maintain the scene shop and theatrical equipment.
• Supervise a scene-shop head, student employees, and over-hire labor.
• Implement and support safety protocols and recommended practices.
• Implement Universal Design standards.
• Work collaboratively with Forbes Center for the Arts staff, the School Director, and faculty across the School of Theatre and Dance to improve production processes, culture, and access to education.
• Foster a positive, welcoming learning environment supportive of student development and collaboration.
• Work and mentor students using effective methods appropriate for students with differing abilities, preparation levels, and cultural experiences.
• Collaborate with local, regional, and professional partner organizations in support of productions, student learning opportunities, and community engagement initiatives.
• Accommodate a non-standard work schedule including evenings and weekends. A typical week is 40 hours. No work is permitted during university closures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• MFA in Technical Direction, Theatre Production, or a related field, or a Bachelor's degree with substantial professional technical direction experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience in technical direction or scenic production.
• Working knowledge of and ability to lead others in the technologies and recommended practices in the following areas:
  • Carpentry
  • Welding
  • Rigging
  • Scenic painting
  • Properties
• Proficiency with technical drafting and design software (Vectorworks, AutoCAD, or similar) used to produce scenic construction documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop scenic construction estimates, manage material and labor budgets, and plan production schedules.
• Knowledge of standard theatrical safety factors and guidelines provided by ESTA, OSHA, and NEC protocols.
• Experience supervising student crews, over-hire labor, or production staff in a theatrical or educational production environment.
• Ability to work effectively with students, faculty, staff, and guest artists.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively work on stairs and ladders and at elevations up to 70' (theatre grid)
• Ability to use woodworking, metalworking, rigging and material handling tools
• Ability to drive pickup truck and cargo van

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check. E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university