Experience Design and Production Special Instructor

About the Role

The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) School of Theater seeks a forward-thinking, collaborative, and highly skilled Special Faculty member to serve in a Technical Director capacity, bridging teaching and practice. This role combines curricular development, coursework, and student mentorship with oversight of student-centered production work for a multi-show performance season.

Responsibilities

• Instruction: Teach specialized courses in technical direction, structural design, and related topics such as technical management, electronics, rigging, and drafting.
• Student Advising: Serve as a mentor and advisor to BFA and MFA students in the Experience Design and Production program.
• Production Mentorship: Act as the primary faculty mentor for student technical directors, guiding them through engineering, budgeting, and build processes.
• Technical Execution: Provide overarching technical leadership for 8-10 curricular productions, 10-12 Coffee House Productions, and miscellaneous Institute special events, ensuring artistic visions are realized safely and efficiently.
• Structural Integrity: Review and approve all structural, rigging, and mechanical drawings for productions.
• Scheduling: Coordinate production schedules with faculty and staff.
• Budgeting & Administration: Develop, track, and reconcile technical production budgets, including material expenses and student labor costs.
• Asset Management: Oversee procurement, maintenance, and inventory of shop tools, hardware, and specialized theatrical equipment in partnership with the Scene Shop Manager and Production Manager.
• Space Oversight: Monitor the condition of theatrical spaces, recommend maintenance, replacement, and safety-related upgrades.
• Venue Management: Oversee technical infrastructure and operational safety of the Modular Theater, two Black Box Theaters, and the Coffeehouse.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain and enforce health and safety protocols (OSHA and Cal/OSHA compliance) across all shops and venues.
• Training: Oversee student safety training, equipment certifications, rigging inspections, and safe operation of powered equipment.
• Service: Participate in faculty governance, admissions reviews, student reviews, and curriculum development.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with faculty and guest artists across directing, design, and performance.

Qualifications

• Required:
  • MFA in Technical Direction or Theatre Technology, or equivalent professional experience.
  • Minimum 5 years of professional experience as a Technical Director in regional theater, commercial entertainment, or experimental performance.
  • Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD/Vectorworks, structural engineering calculations, advanced rigging techniques, and automation systems.
  • Demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentoring diverse student populations in a progressive, student-centered environment.
• Preferred:
  • Experience with non-traditional, immersive, or modular theater spaces.
  • Strong background in managing safety programs and hazardous materials protocols.
  • Teaching experience, preferably at the university level.
  • Active engagement with contemporary, experimental performance practices.
  • Commitment to sustainability in production, including material sourcing, reuse, and circularity.

Pay

Appointment Salary Range: $75K-$85K, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

This is a 9-month special faculty position, with potential for renewal.

About CalArts

CalArts is a multidisciplinary community of artists whose ongoing educational endeavor is grounded in openness, experimentation, critical engagement, and creative freedom. The School of Theater offers an experimental, interdisciplinary, international, and diverse educational experience, providing students with flexibility, skills, and critical thinking tools to navigate a rapidly changing field.