Wharton Technical Director / Technical Facilities Mgr/Performing Arts

Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University’s Wharton Center seeks a Technical Director to lead technical operations for touring Broadway engagements and coordinate production support from advance through final load-out.

You will supervise union crews, stage managers, and students, ensuring safe, professional productions within schedules and budgets while supporting other performances and events at the Center.

Qualifications

• Minimum: four-year college degree in Theatrical Design, Technical Direction and Stage Management or equivalent experience.
• Three to five years of related technical theatre experience or progressive responsibility.
• Knowledge of safety practices, rigging, electrical and stage operations appropriate to touring Broadway productions.

Responsibilities

• Lead touring Broadway technical advances and coordinate with touring production managers to confirm venue capabilities.
• Plan load-ins, setups, rehearsals, performances, and load-outs with labor calls and schedules; coordinate with tour personnel and venue teams.
• Supervise facility stage managers, on-call union stagehands, and student employees; ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
• Develop technical and labor estimates; track expenses and assist with budgets and long-range planning.

Education

Four-year college degree in Theatrical Design, Technical Direction and Stage Management

Tools

Lighting control systems

Digital audio systems

Video projection systems

Production communications systems

Job description

Working/Functional Title

Wharton Technical Director

Position Summary

Wharton Center for Performing Arts seeks a Technical Director to lead technical operations and production support, with a primary focus on touring Broadway engagements. This role coordinates the venue’s technical preparation and execution of complex touring productions, ensuring that incoming shows have the staffing, equipment, stage access, and production support needed for successful performances.

You will serve as Wharton Center’s primary technical contact for touring production managers, company representatives, and commercial presenters, coordinating each engagement from the technical advance through load-out. Working with venue colleagues, you will deliver safe, professional productions within established schedules and budgets and supervise Facility Stage Managers, on-call union stagehands, and student employees. The position also supports other performances, rentals, educational programs, and events at the Center and designated off-site locations.

Key Responsibilities

Touring Broadway Production and Event Operations

• Lead technical advances for touring Broadway productions. Review riders, stage plots, rigging and electrical requirements, equipment lists, truck schedules, and production timelines with touring production managers; confirm venue capabilities and resolve requirements before arrival.
• Plan and coordinate load-ins, setups, rehearsals, performances, changeovers, and load-outs. Establish labor calls, crew assignments, equipment needs, and schedules; coordinate with tour personnel and venue support teams, and troubleshoot issues throughout each engagement.

Facility and Stage Management

• Ensure stages, loading docks, backstage areas, dressing rooms, shops, and storage spaces are ready for touring productions. Coordinate truck access, equipment movement, backstage logistics, and procedures for receiving, securing, storing, and returning production equipment.
• Coordinate facility maintenance and production space needs with operations personnel. Contribute to long-range planning for stage configurations, technical infrastructure, equipment replacement, renovations, and capital improvements that support touring production requirements.

Stage and Production Systems

• Oversee venue lighting, audio, rigging, stage machinery, projection and video, and production communications. Coordinate the use of house systems with touring equipment and personnel, maintaining safe practices and reliable operation.
• Maintain equipment inventories, readiness, and safe handling procedures. Coordinate inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, installations, and specialized contractors; recommend purchases and upgrades based on venue and touring production needs.

Safety and Risk Management

• Establish and enforce safe practices for touring production load-ins, performances, and load-outs in accordance with applicable regulations, codes, industry standards, and institutional policies. Oversee work involving rigging, electrical systems, lifts, ladders, stage machinery, tools, and special effects, as applicable.
• Coordinate safety training, required inspections and certifications, hazard mitigation, and backstage emergency procedures. Stop or modify work when conditions present an unacceptable safety risk.

Union Crew Coordination and Team Supervision

• Recruit, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate assigned technical personnel. Prepare venue crews to support touring Broadway engagements, establish expectations for safety and technical performance, and promote professional service and a respectful, inclusive workplace.
• Coordinate union stagehand calls and crew coverage with touring production requirements and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Monitor staffing throughout each engagement and address performance, attendance, safety, and operational concerns in accordance with institutional policies.

Production Budgets and Administration

• Develop technical and labor estimates for touring engagements, other Wharton programming, and rentals. Track labor, equipment, maintenance, rental, and production expenses; evaluate vendor estimates and assist with annual budgets and long-range capital planning.
• Prepare and verify on-call union stagehand payroll sheets and billing costs, ensuring accuracy and compliance with collective bargaining agreement requirements before submission to Wharton payroll. Perform other duties as assigned.

Timeline

• Target start date will be mid-January 2027.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Theatrical Design, Technical Direction and Stage Management; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in technical theatre; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working in a performing arts center, regional theatre, university performing arts facility, concert venue, or comparable multi-use facility.
• Extensive experience supporting touring Broadway productions and working with commercial presenting organizations, including technical advances and coordination of touring production requirements within a presenting venue.
• Experience working with union stage crews and collective bargaining agreements, including labor calls, crew scheduling, payroll requirements, and production cost management.
• Experience with theatrical rigging and stage machinery; knowledge of current lighting-control, digital audio, video, projection, and production communication systems.
• Experience in a performing arts center or comparable multi-use venue; production budgeting, long-range capital planning, event management, or venue rental experience; relevant certifications in theatrical rigging, occupational safety, or production technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references.

Work Hours

The schedule would include nights and weekends as needed

Website

https://www.whartoncenter.com/

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 10/20/2026 at 11:55 PM