Grades 4–12 Technical Theater Director

Location: Tinton Falls, New Jersey • Type: Contract

About the role

Ranney School seeks an experienced technical theater director to assist with the Lower, Middle, and Upper School theatrical productions. This contracted role requires extreme flexibility and collaboration with our cross-divisional Theater faculty—supporting, enhancing, and working towards continuous growth and high standards of Ranney’s award-winning Performing Arts Program.

Responsibilities

• Together with the play and musical directors, design the set and develop lighting and sound designs
• Build sets on stage for each production, adhering to the combined space stipulations of Panther Hall and meet set construction deadlines
• Act as Stage Manager for productions and guide student assistant stage managers
• Supervise and train student-led technical theatre crews during rehearsals and performance runs in a range of technical theater elements, including set design and construction, props, sound and lights, and stage management
• Work kindly and inclusively with all student age levels and adult volunteers
• Effectively manage multiple projects
• Manage and care for equipment while maintaining systems and theatrical elements of Panther Hall during rehearsal processes and performances
• Be available for night and weekend work sessions as needed and until mid-evening during tech weeks and performances
• Attend Production Meetings in person and/or virtually and be available for virtual communication, along with 3 weeks on campus (2-8pm) leading up to the LS & MS shows, and 4 weeks on campus leading up to the US shows
• Collaborate positively with a solution-based approach and communicate effectively with theater personnel, facilities coordinator, and school leaders to support the production team, student and departmental success, as well as ensure that technical resources are available and operational for community events

Production dates:

• Lower School: April 9 & 10, 2027
• Middle School: December 2026 or January 2027 (tentative)
• Upper School Play: November 6 & 7, 2026
• Upper School Musical: March 4, 5, & 6, 2027

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience with school students of all ages in a theater or related arts program
• Proficiency with construction materials and tools used in set building
• Proficiency in lighting design and execution, stage light installation, and with typical technical hardware such as the ETC family of lighting boards, Q lab, and soundboards
• Proficiency in sound design and the ability to train and oversee student leaders
• Proficiency in stage management and the ability to train and oversee student leaders

Pay

Stipend for this contracted role is $23,000, paid in pro-rated installments within two weeks after each production and contingent upon successful completion of job responsibilities.

About Ranney School

Ranney School is an Age 3-Grade 12 independent, college preparatory school based in Tinton Falls, NJ. Our school serves a diverse body of approximately 770 students from across Monmouth & Ocean Counties on the northern New Jersey shore. A secular, college-preparatory day school, Ranney is guided by a strong Board of Trustees, an experienced Head of School, Dr. John Griffith, and most notably, by a powerful mission and vision.

Our mission is “To know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.” We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to distinguish and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens. We continue to foster an inclusive community that supports a spectrum of cultures, beliefs and talents to promote the intellectual growth and moral development of all members of our community.