Technical Theater Manager

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California is seeking a Technical Theatre Manager to lead the USC School of Dramatic Arts production area. Based around the Bing Theatre and three additional venues, you will oversee technical operations, rentals, staffing, and safety to maintain a robust season of performances and student learning opportunities.

You will supervise staff and student workers, coordinate rehearsals and performances, and collaborate with schools across the campus to deliver high-quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Theatre or related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years in theatrical production or technical theatre management.
• Experience supervising staff, crews, and student workers.
• Deep knowledge of lighting, sound, rigging, stage operations and systems.
• Knowledge of ETC Eos, GrandMa, networking, and video technologies.
• Strong project management, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical operations for Bing Theatre and three additional venues.
• Lead planning and execution of over 20 productions annually.
• Supervise technical staff and student workers; provide training and mentorship.
• Support lighting, sound, video and technical designs for productions.
• Coordinate rehearsals, performances, events and rentals.
• Manage venue rentals, staffing, scheduling and client support.
• Collaborate with campus partners and ensure safety compliance.
• Oversee maintenance, equipment repair, and vendor relations.
• Contribute to long-range planning for equipment and upgrades.

Skills

Technical theatre operations

Venue management

Lighting systems

Sound systems

Rigging

Stage machinery

Networking & control systems

Budgeting & procurement

Staff supervision

Safety management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Theatre or related field

Tools

ETC Eos consoles

GrandMa

Video technologies

Audio systems

Rigging & stage equipment

Job description

Full-Time/On Ground The USC School of Dramatic Arts seeks an experienced and collaborative Technical Theatre Manager to join its Production Area and help lead one of the nation’s most active university production programs.

USC School of Dramatic Arts Technical Theatre Manager Full-Time/On Ground The USC School of Dramatic Arts seeks an experienced and collaborative Technical Theatre Manager to join its Production Area and help lead one of the nation’s most active university production programs. At the center of this role is the Bing Theatre, the School’s largest and most complex performance venue, which seats more than 550 patrons and serves as a primary instructional and performance space. In addition to the Bing Theatre, the Technical Theatre Manager provides leadership and oversight for three additional theatre venues that support a robust season of more than 20 productions annually. This position is essential to the safe, efficient, and successful operation of the School’s theatres and directly supports both the academic mission of the USC School of Dramatic Arts and its institutional partnerships. Reporting to the Head of Production, the Technical Theatre Manager oversees technical operations, venue management, production support, and technical staffing while fostering a collaborative learning environment where students gain hands‑on experience in performance, production, and technical theatre. The Technical Theatre Manager serves as a key member of the production leadership team, responsible for ensuring the successful execution of rehearsals, performances, special events, and venue rentals while maintaining the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee technical operations for the Bing Theatre and three additional performance venues, including lighting, sound, rigging, stage systems, and production infrastructure.
• Support the planning and implementation of more than 20 theatrical productions annually.
• Supervise technical staff and student employees, providing leadership, training, mentorship, and professional development.
• Support students, faculty, and guest artists in realizing lighting, sound, video, and technical production designs.
• Coordinate and oversee technical rehearsals, performances, special events, and institutional programming.
• Manage venue rental operations, including technical planning, staffing, scheduling, and client support for internal and external partners.
• Collaborate with university partners, including the Thornton School of Music, the Kaufman School of Dance, and other campus units utilizing School of Dramatic Arts performance venues.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, industry best practices, and all safety regulations related to theatrical operations.
• Oversee preventative maintenance programs for lighting, sound, rigging, and other specialized theatrical systems.
• Coordinate equipment repairs, vendor relationships, inspections, and technical service contracts.
• Participate in long-range planning for equipment replacement, capital improvements, and technology upgrades, helping protect significant institutional investments and minimize operational risk.
• Support business continuity and emergency preparedness efforts for performance venues and production operations.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Theatre, Theatre Stagecraft, Theatre Production, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in theatrical production, venue operations, or technical theatre management.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff, crews, and student workers.
• Comprehensive knowledge of theatrical production practices, including lighting, sound, rigging, stage operations, and production systems.
• Experience with ETC Eos consoles, GrandMa, networking, audio systems, sound consoles, video technologies, and contemporary entertainment technology workflows.
• Knowledge of theatrical production, stage management and stage equipment such as fly systems, rigging, electricity, lighting, and sound.
• Strong project management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies in a collaborative academic environment.
• Ability to safely lift, move, and transport theatrical materials, tools, and equipment weighing up to 99 pounds.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding, and to safely work from personnel lifts, catwalks, and other elevated work areas.
• Ability to safely work in low‑light and backstage production environments.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate departmental vehicles in accordance with university policies.

Key Skills & Qualifications

Successful candidates will demonstrate expertise in several of the following areas:

• Technical theatre operations and production management
• Venue and event operations
• Lighting systems and electrical distribution
• Sound reinforcement and audio systems
• Rigging and stage machinery
• Entertainment networking and control systems
• Budgeting, purchasing, and equipment planning
• Staff supervision and student mentorship
• Safety management and regulatory compliance

Additional Information

This position is required to work evenings and weekends depending upon the production schedule. Regular work hours during the production season are Monday through Friday 9:30am to 5:30pm, though subject to change as necessary. The compensation range for this position is $70,000.00 to $80,000.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. The University reserves the right to add or change responsibilities at any time. The USC School of Dramatic Arts (SDA), founded in 1945, is recognized internationally as a leader in theatre education and its application to stage, screen, and other industries. The School offers innovative programs and curricula in acting, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, critical studies, costume design, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, stage management and creator arts. With a faculty of dramatic artists working at the highest level of their profession, the School offers BA, BFA and MFA degrees and has an active production program of more than 20 shows with a population of more than 600 undergraduate and graduate students combined. SDA’s headquarters are located in the heart of USC’s beautiful University Park Campus, housed in the Dick Wolf Drama Center, which anchor’s the University’s performing arts corridor (Thornton School of Music, Kaufman School of Dance, and the School of Cinematic Arts). The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which comprises the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is. USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law. The university is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, volunteers, and visitors on our campuses and those entrusted to our care, including patients, students, and minors. To that end, the university conducts background screening, including screening for criminal convictions, on all applicants after a conditional offer of employment and as a condition of employment. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix C for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative. USC and SDA are committed to fostering an environment that embraces our USC’s Unifying Core Values and seeks candidates that demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to these objectives. Minimum Education *Bachelor’s Degree or Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities *5 years’ experience *Practical lighting and sound experience. *Technical knowledge of theatrical lighting, rigging and sound. *Demonstrated supervisory skills. *Knowledge of computerized lighting, video, and sound consoles.