Moving Light Programmer

About the role

Join La Jolla Playhouse’s Production Department as the Moving Light Programmer for PARTICLE FEVER, an ambitious new musical that blends science, spectacle and human discovery.

Responsibilities

• Report directly to the Production Electrician and collaborate with the Lighting Designer, Assistant Lighting Designer, Board Operator and electrics team.
• Program rigs containing upward of 40 automated LED and moving light fixtures on an EOS Apex console.
• In consultation with the Production Electrician and Board Operator, establish and maintain console layout, channel check procedures and show file organization.
• Participate in prep and pre-programming calls as determined by the Production Electrician, Production Manager and Lighting Designer.
• Prepare programming tools and show elements, which may include groups, presets, macros, beam and color palettes, cues, pre-visualization, advanced pixel mapping, magic sheets, MIDI/SMPTE setup, robotic followspot setup and VOR or similar systems.
• Work directly with the Lighting Designer to write, revise and maintain cues throughout the tech and preview process.
• Execute technical programming required to support the Lighting Designer’s artistic vision, including effects, chases, macros, marking and other complex programming needs.
• Anticipate programming needs, troubleshoot issues quickly and help maintain forward momentum during fast-paced technical rehearsals.
• Communicate clearly with the Production Electrician, Board Operator and design team about cue changes, system needs, notes and priorities.
• Aid the Assistant Lighting Designer with moving light documentation using MLA software.
• Train the Board Operator to take over the show file and complete the run of show confidently.
• Support the show crew with theatre turnover between tech and previews, including daily tech table strike and reset.
• As needed and in coordination with the Production Electrician, assist with physical tech notes such as hanging lights, circuiting, moving ladders or lifts, swapping color, troubleshooting fixtures and addressing moving light issues.

Qualifications & Skills

• Advanced experience programming ETC EOS-family consoles (preferably EOS Apex) in live theatre, opera, dance, concert, event, or comparable production environments.
• Demonstrated experience programming automated, LED, and conventional lighting systems in complex cueing environments.
• Strong knowledge of EOS programming workflows, including cueing, tracking, timing, palettes/presets, effects, macros, marking, magic sheets, show file organization, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Lighting Designers, Assistant Lighting Designers, stage management, production teams, and artists to translate artistic direction into accurate, repeatable cues.
• Experience working in fast-paced technical rehearsals and live production environments, managing competing priorities, frequent changes, and tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of lighting control systems, signal flow, and networking, including DMX, MIDI, SMPTE, sACN, and Art-Net.
• Familiarity with automated lighting fixtures and controllers, including fixture profiles, modes, addressing, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to read and interpret lighting plots, channel hookups, instrument schedules, Lightwright paperwork, and related production documentation.
• Proficiency with industry-standard software and tools, including Lightwright, Vectorworks, Excel, ETC applications, and MLA or comparable moving-light documentation software.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills, with the ability to work independently, anticipate needs, and adapt to evolving production requirements.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills; ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Commitment to maintaining safe working practices and following all union and production safety protocols.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development as lighting technology and production practices evolve.
• Ability to reliably commute to the worksite and work evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and extended technical rehearsal schedules as required.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and culture of La Jolla Playhouse.