Technical Director - Visual and Performing Arts

Clark University; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Group health and dental insurance

Life insurance

Tuition

Campus amenities

Job summary

Clark University in Worcester, MA is seeking a Theatre Technical Director to lead technical production for the department's theatre spaces, guiding scenic construction, lighting, audio, and video from concept to performance.

You will mentor students, collaborate with faculty and visiting artists, supervise staff, and ensure safety and compliance while maintaining spaces ready for rehearsals and shows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with ~5 years of professional theatre experience.
• Experience supervising or leading teams in production, shop, or theatre settings.
• Knowledge of entertainment rigging, including counterweight systems and black box environments.
• Competency with lighting, audio, projection, video and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for departmental spaces including Michelson Theatre and Little Center.
• Oversee safe execution of productions across scenic construction, lighting, audio, video and rigging.
• Collaborate with faculty, visiting artists, designers, students, and leadership to plan technical needs.
• Maintain a safe production environment in line with regulations and best practices.
• Mentor student designers and technicians and help translate concepts into production plans.
• Serve as co-teacher for Theatre Practicum with faculty and visiting artists.
• Hire, train, supervise, and support student employees; oversee shop operations.
• Coordinate maintenance of theatre spaces and equipment in partnership with Facilities.
• Ensure spaces are safe, functional, and ready for performances and rehearsal.

Skills

Entertainment rigging

Theatrical lighting

Audio and video production

Safety and compliance

Team supervision

Communication

Reading design drawings

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Counterweight rigging systems

Lighting consoles

Audio mixers

Video projection systems

Job description

Clark University

Location: Worcester, MA

Category: Staff and Administrators

Job Type: Full-time - Exempt

Posted On: Mon Aug 17 2026

Job Description

Clark University's Department of Visual and Performing Arts seeks an experienced and collaborative Theater Technical Director to play a central role in bringing theatrical productions, performances, and student creative work to life.

This is a hands-on opportunity for a technical theatre professional who enjoys the full range of production work, from scenic construction and lighting to audio, video, rigging, and shop operations, and who is equally energized by working with students. The Technical Director oversees Clark's primary theatre and production spaces, supports departmental productions from concept through execution, and helps students develop the practical skills and confidence to turn creative ideas into successful performances.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with a commitment to safety, collaboration, problem-solving, and student mentorship.

What You'll Do

As Technical Director, you will:

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for departmental performance and production spaces, including the Michelson Theatre, Experimental Theatre, wood shop, prop shop, dance studio, and related spaces within the Little Center.
• Support the safe and successful execution of theatrical productions across scenic construction, lighting, audio, video, rigging, automation, and other technical production areas.
• Collaborate with faculty, visiting artists, designers, students, and departmental leadership to identify technical needs and develop practical solutions for productions and events.
• Maintain a safe production environment consistent with applicable regulations, University policies, and industry best practices.
• Mentor student designers and technicians and help students translate creative concepts and design drawings into executable production plans.
• Serve as a co-teacher for Theatre Practicum in collaboration with full-time faculty and visiting artists.
• Hire, train, supervise, and support student employees working in departmental spaces and productions.
• Oversee the safe operation of the scene shop and theatrical equipment and tools.
• Coordinate preventative and responsive maintenance of theatre and production spaces, working closely with Clark Facilities and external partners as needed.
• Help ensure that performance, rehearsal, and production spaces remain safe, functional, organized, and ready to support the creative work of the department.

Job Requirements

What We're Looking For

We are seeking someone who brings both strong technical theatre expertise and an ability to work effectively with students, faculty, artists, and colleagues across the University.

Required qualifications include

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of professional training and industry experience.
• Approximately five years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience supervising or leading others in a production, shop, or technical environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of entertainment rigging, including experience with counterweight systems and black box environments.
• Demonstrated competency with theatrical lighting, audio, projection, video, and related production equipment.
• Strong knowledge of safe scene shop operations, theatrical tools, and scenic construction.
• Ability to read and interpret theatrical design drawings and translate designs into construction and production plans.
• Working knowledge of applicable safety requirements and industry standards, including OSHA requirements, fire codes, and established entertainment-production practices.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively while also taking ownership of the day-to-day technical needs of theatre spaces and productions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a college, university, or other educational environment is preferred.

Work Environment

This is primarily an on-site position due to the hands‑on nature of theatrical production and student support. Some pre‑ and post‑production work may be completed remotely when appropriate and in coordination with departmental leadership.

The position requires the ability to work within theatre, backstage, and scene‑shop environments and to lift up to 25 pounds.

Why Clark?

At Clark, the Technical Director is more than the person who keeps the theatre running. This role is an important creative and educational partner within the Visual and Performing Arts community.

You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with students as they develop as designers, technicians, artists, and collaborators while contributing your own expertise to a diverse range of productions and creative projects. For someone who enjoys both the craft of technical theatre and the opportunity to teach and mentor the next generation of theatre-makers, this role offers the chance to make a visible impact on the artistic life of the University.

Additional Information

Expected Hiring Range: $60,900 to $78,650

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The compensation for this position will be determined based on factors that include available budget, internal equity, and the selected candidate's qualifications, experience, education, and other job‑related credentials. This range represents Clark University's good‑faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting consistent with Clark's compensation philosophy and internal alignment.

At Clark University we believe that diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to a more innovative and productive work environment. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to join our team and contribute their unique ideas to help us achieve our goals.

Benefits

• paid time off
• generous retirement plan
• group health and dental insurance
• life insurance
• tuition
• use of many campus amenities

Clark University offers a generous benefit package for full and, if applicable, part‑time employees that include; paid time off, generous retirement plan, group health and dental insurance, life insurance, and tuition, along with use of many campus amenities. For a complete list of benefits for eligible employees visit here.

To review the Clark University Police Department Annual Security and Fire Safety Report visit here.

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