Technical Theatre Lab Production Technician (Arts Laboratory Specialist)

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

USC School of Dramatic Arts seeks a Technical Theatre Lab Production Technician (Arts Laboratory Specialist) to join its Production team in a full-time, on-ground role. The Tech Theatre Lab supports multiple dramatic productions and provides advanced scenic construction, fabrication, and shop management.

The successful candidate will supervise 20-30 student workers, mentor learners, and ensure safe, efficient operations of the TTL.

Qualifications

• BA or BFA in Theatre, Technical Theatre, Theatre Production, or related field; or equivalent professional experience in theatrical production.
• Several years of progressively responsible experience in theatre stagecraft, scenic construction, and theatrical production.
• Demonstrated expertise in theatrical scenery construction and implementation.
• Experience with theatrical stage equipment, counterweight rigging systems, and scenic automation.
• Advanced woodworking skills, including operation of portable and stationary woodworking equipment.
• Experience with metal fabrication and welding.

Responsibilities

• Support students, faculty, and guest designers in the realization of scenic designs for SDA productions.
• Construct, fabricate, and install scenic elements using woodworking and metal fabrication techniques.
• Implement student-designed production concepts while maintaining artistic integrity, safety, and budget considerations.
• Assist with load-ins, technical rehearsals, strikes, and production changeovers.
• Operate and maintain theatrical stage equipment, rigging systems, and scenic automation systems.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient Technical Theatre Lab environment.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of shop equipment, tools, and facilities.
• Plan for equipment upgrades and manage purchasing activities, including major equipment acquisitions.
• Monitor inventory, supplies, and production materials.
• Supervise and mentor approximately 20-30 student employees.
• Train students in safe and proper use of theatrical tools, equipment, and production techniques.
• Provide guidance and instruction in scenic construction methods and shop practices.
• Foster a collaborative learning environment that supports student growth and professional development.
• Assist with budgeting, project estimates, and resource planning.

Skills

Mentoring students

Team collaboration

Project management

Safety compliance

Education

BA/BFA in Theatre or related field

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

Rigging systems

Woodworking tools

Metal fabrication tools

Welding

Job description

USC School of Dramatic Arts

Technical Theatre Lab Production Technician (Arts Laboratory Specialist)

Full-Time | On-Ground

The University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) seeks an experienced and collaborative Technical Theatre Lab Production Technician (Arts Laboratory Specialist) to join its Production team. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled theatre professional to bring a rigorous, professional practice into a dynamic learning environment that produces multiple theatrical productions each year.

Reporting primarily to the Technical Director, the Production Technician plays a vital role in supporting the School's educational mission by helping students, faculty, and guest artists realize ambitious theatrical productions. The ideal candidate is an energetic and self-motivated professional who thrives in a fast-paced production environment, exercises sound judgment, and can successfully manage multiple priorities while mentoring student workers.

Position Summary

The Technical Theatre Lab (TTL) Production Technician provides advanced technical expertise in scenic construction, production implementation, and facility operations. Working within a multi-stage, multi-use environment, this position supports the operation, maintenance, and safe use of the Technical Theatre Lab while ensuring the successful construction and installation of scenic elements for all School of Dramatic Arts productions.

This position is responsible for implementing academically driven student scenic designs, providing specialized scenic construction services in wood and metal fabrication, and supervising a team of approximately 20-30 student workers. The Production Technician also contributes to facility planning, equipment upgrades, inventory management, and purchasing activities.

Key Responsibilities

Production and Scenic Construction

• Support students, faculty, and guest designers in the realization of scenic designs for School of Dramatic Arts productions.
• Construct, fabricate, and install scenic elements using woodworking and metal fabrication techniques.
• Implement student-designed production concepts while maintaining artistic integrity, safety, and budget considerations.
• Assist with load-ins, technical rehearsals, strikes, and production changeovers.
• Operate and maintain theatrical stage equipment, rigging systems, and scenic automation systems.

Technical Theatre Lab Operations

• Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient Technical Theatre Lab environment.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of shop equipment, tools, and facilities.
• Ensure compliance with university safety policies and industry best practices.
• Plan for equipment upgrades and manage purchasing activities, including major equipment acquisitions.
• Monitor inventory, supplies, and production materials.

Student Supervision and Instruction

• Supervise and mentor approximately 20-30 student employees.
• Train students in safe and proper use of theatrical tools, equipment, and production techniques.
• Provide guidance and instruction in scenic construction methods and shop practices.
• Foster a collaborative learning environment that supports student growth and professional development.

Administrative Support

• Assist with budgeting, project estimates, and resource planning.
• Coordinate with faculty, staff, guest artists, and production personnel to meet production schedules and educational objectives.
• Support facility scheduling and operational planning as needed.

Required Qualifications

• BA or BFA in Theatre, Technical Theatre, Theatre Production, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience in theatrical production.
• Several years of progressively responsible experience in theatre stagecraft, scenic construction, and theatrical production.
• Demonstrated expertise in theatrical scenery construction and implementation.
• Experience with theatrical stage equipment, counterweight rigging systems, and scenic automation.
• Advanced woodworking skills, including operation of portable and stationary woodworking equipment.
• Experience with metal fabrication and welding.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an educational, conservatory, or university theatre environment.
• Experience supervising and mentoring student workers or early-career technicians.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience supporting multiple productions simultaneously in a repertory or academic setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with students, faculty, staff, and guest artists.
• Prioritize competing deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.
• Exercise sound judgment in a fast-paced production setting.
• Maintain a professional, service-oriented approach while supporting academic and artistic goals.

Physical Requireme