Technical Director - Academy of the Holy Cross - Kensington Maryland

About the role

The Technical Director plays a vital role in the Fine Arts Department, collaborating closely with department colleagues and overseeing the design, creation, and execution of all technical elements for theatre productions, music and dance concerts, and other Fine Arts events. This includes scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, props, and any other technical needs per show (e.g., projections, special effects).

Responsibilities

• Technical Design and Production
  • Oversee all technical aspects of theatre productions, music and dance concerts, and other school events, including:
  • Set construction and scenic painting
  • Properties
  • Lighting design and execution (prior dance lighting experience preferred)
  • Sound design and reinforcement
  • Costumes
  • Projections, puppetry, and other special effects (as needed per show)
• Supervise and mentor students in the technical theatre program, ensuring they develop skills in design, construction, and backstage operations.
• Ensure all technical elements align with the director’s artistic vision, as well as safety standards and budget constraints.

Collaboration and Professionalism

• Work closely with the Department Chair, Theatre Director/Producer, and Music/Dance teachers to coordinate technical needs for productions and performances.
• Ensure that design ideas meet the artistic and practical needs of productions.
• Collaborate with parent volunteers, while maintaining a culture of student-led technical work.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning experience for students involved in theatre.

Instruction and Student Mentorship

• Recruit, train, and mentor all student tech crew members, including student department heads and designers.
• Develop leadership and technical skills in students, ensuring they take ownership of backstage operations while providing necessary guidance.
• No grading responsibilities for after-school student tech crew.
• Future potential for teaching a semester-long Technical Theatre course, or other available courses within areas of expertise (e.g., Photography, Film, Digital Audio).

Theatre Operations and Facility Management

• Maintain and organize all theatre spaces, including the scene shop, costume loft, technical booth, and storage areas for lighting, sound, props, and scenery.
• Oversee equipment, ensuring proper maintenance and safe operation of lighting, sound, and rigging systems.
• Recommend and oversee (in collaboration with the Director of Facilities) necessary equipment and facility upgrades.
• Provide technical support for school events requiring audiovisual set-up during pre-scheduled hours.
• Cookordinate with the Fine Arts Department faculty to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of theatre spaces and equipment at appropriate times in the yearly calendar.
• Cookordinate with facilities team and external vendors as needed for equipment rentals, installations, or specialized repairs.

After-School and Weekend Commitments

• The Technical Director is expected to be present for all major production dates, including:
• Two major theatre productions
• Two dance concerts
• Two music concerts
• End-of-year Fine Arts Department Awards Gala and Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Qualifications and Skills

• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree required.
  • BA/BFA or Masters in Theatre, Technical Theatre, Theatre Design/Production, or a related field is preferred, but candidates with a degree in another field and significant professional technical theatre experience are encouraged to apply.
  • Several years of experience in technical theatre, including design and production experience in at least two of the following: scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes.
  • Experience working with high school students or young theatre technicians.
  • Experience with dance lighting is a plus.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency with power tools and stage carpentry.
  • Strong knowledge of lighting design, including ETC Ion consoles, moving lights, LEDs, and DMX protocol.
  • Experience with sound design and operation, including the use of a digital soundboard, wireless microphones, QLab or other audio interfaces, audio editing software.
  • Prior familiarity with theatrical rigging, projections, and video editing software is a plus.
  • Able to pick up rental materials/equipment or go to a hardware store as needed during the school day.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. as needed.
• Ability to safely work at heights using ladders, scaffolding, or lifts.
• Ability to stand, walk, crouch, climb, and move for extended periods during rehearsals, performances, and technical work.
• Ability to work in varied environmental conditions, such as warm, cold, dusty, or low-light spaces.
• Ability to use power tools, hand tools, and theatrical equipment safely and effectively.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, and reach in the course of building, installing, and maintaining sets and equipment.
• Ability to work in tight backstage spaces or elevated positions.
• Ability to focus on detailed or repetitive tasks for extended periods.
• Ability to support extended work periods during production weeks, including occasional evenings and weekends, with work hours pre-scheduled in collaboration with the Theatre Producer and Department Chair.

To Apply

We ask for qualified candidates to please digitally submit a cover letter and resume to: Human Resources ahchr@academyoftheholycross.org

The Academy of the Holy Cross, 4920 Strathmore Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895

Equal Opportunity Employer