STUDIO TECHNICIAN

The STUDIO TECHNICIAN is responsible for the maintenance and operation, under the guidance of Resident Staff, of the School’s facilities. They are also responsible for the efficient co-ordination of user groups in all School spaces, in conjunction with the TECHNICAL CO- ORDINATORS. The position’s duties encompass 3 major areas: maintenance and tidiness of the facilities and  School equipment; technical support for all classes and productions in the School; and

liaison and consultation with user groups (including all Open Houses, Awards Ceremonies, Dance Cabarets, Directors’ Showcases, Agents’ Days and special events).

The STUDIO TECHNICIAN may be required to act as TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, STAGE MANAGER or board operator for productions lacking that position, in the absence of qualified technicians.

The STUDIO TECHNICIAN works very closely with the ASSISTANT TO THE PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER, who tracks the schedule for the various rooms in the Theatre School, the DIRECTOR (student or faculty) or Instructor of each user group, and the TECHNICAL CO-ORDINATORS. The STUDIO TECHNICIAN reports to the PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER and may receive daily work direction from the INTERN.

General areas of responsibility may include, but are not limited to:

MAINTENANCE and TIDINESS

• Ensures that the all School facilities are kept clean, tidy and organized at all times
• Ensures the spaces are returned to a neutral state following the strike of a production
• Is responsible for ensuring all equipment is functioning smoothly, to allow work in the spaces to continue unhindered
• Notifies the staff PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER and TECHNICAL DIRECTORS when any piece of equipment is not working
• Performs minor repairs on electrical and audio equipment, as required
• Co-ordinates, and performs when required, the construction of, or repair to, venue-related projects

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

• Becomes thoroughly familiar with the stage areas, dressing rooms, storage areas, exits, lighting and sound boards and equipment, breaker panels, etc.
• Trains user group technicians, as required, on sound and lighting booth operation
• Acts as a technical resource to all user groups: this may include being the PRODUCTION MANAGER, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, STAGE MANAGER, FRONT OF HOUSE MANAGER or CREW MEMBER of these productions

LIAISON AND CONSULTATION

• Meets with all user groups, well in advance of load-in, and discusses all technical and Front of House needs
• Responsible for, in co-operation with the production’s DIRECTOR, the logistical planning and monitoring of the production process in the space, to ensure the facility is not damaged
• Anticipates problems; works through any and all installation and operation issues with the production’s DIRECTOR
• Consults with the Resident staff PRIOR to implementing any changes to approved methodology
• Drafts plans, sections and plots, as necessary
• Liaises with Faculty members needing technical support for classes, and sets up these labs as necessary

RULE ENFORCEMENT AND DISCIPLINE

• Ensures that all work by any member of the production company is completed using accepted, safe working practices as outlined in the Ministry of Labour’s SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR THE LIVE PERFORMANCE INDUSTRY IN ONTARIO
• Enforces the School’s SAFETY SHOE POLICY; ensures the use of HARD HATS where appropriate
• Enforces rules regarding eating, drinking and smoking on stage and in backstage areas
• Takes all necessary precautions to ensure that safe, uncluttered and clean conditions exist on stage and backstage
• Ensures that all calls, production work and rehearsals are conducted in the presence of a member of the School’s Staff or Faculty, when deemed appropriate by Staff or Faculty

GENERAL

• Keeps a stocked First Aid kit available at all times, and prepares INCIDENT REPORTS for the staff PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER and TECHNICAL DIRECTORS, if necessary
• Ensures the stage and backstage areas are left in a clean and orderly state at the end of each call
• Attends and participates in each production’s strike, to ensure the space is returned to its neutral state

AFTER EACH PRODUCTION CLOSES

• Documents for the PRODUCTION and OPERATIONS MANAGER, any incidents or damage arising from the user group’s booking
• Attends and participates in the Post Mortem, if there is one for the production
• Submits written evaluations for all Technical staff on academic/season productions no later than the start of the Post Mortem

This information is intended as a guideline only. It is not intended to replace the required reading or research in your area, or information gained in the classroom.

The demands of this position, and the hours worked, will vary with each production.

THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION MAY BE ALTERED WITHOUT NOTICE BY THE RESIDENT STAFF AND FACULTY