Stage Technicians, Theatre Services, Faculty of Arts

Position Overview

The Department of Theatre Services in the Faculty of Arts is currently seeking four Recurring Part-time Stage Technicians.

The University Theatre Services (UTS) technical staff provide technical support to the divisions of Dance, Music and Drama within the School of Creative and Performing Arts and many other campus and community groups who use our facilities.  UTS serves over 200 clients per year, with a peak period of operation September through June.  

These positions supplement the full-time technical staff during the UTS peak period in order to meet our academic and client needs.  The work is often physically demanding and can involve exposure to potentially dangerous situations, including overhead stage rigging and work from ladders or powered personnel lifts.  The technician must be fit enough to climb ladders and lift heavy objects as well as work under stressful conditions and meet constant deadlines.

This position reports to the Manager of Theatre Services.  The Stage Technician will be required to work irregular hours consisting of mostly evenings and weekends, including some overtime.

This position set ups and takes down equipment and scenery, and operates the lighting, sound, projection and special effects equipment in our theatres, studios, classrooms and conference venues.

The Stage Technician will deal with musicians, actors, dancers and other clients on a regular basis.  Communication, teamwork and flexibility are essential to providing clients with professional, courteous, and effective technical support in a timely manner. The ability to be flexible and to respond to change while interacting with clients in a respectful and professional manner is at the heart of the position.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

General:

• Work with staff members to help clients produce their show.
• Install rigging, lighting, sound equipment, and scenery.
• Erect stages for theatrical, musical, and other entertainment events in theaters, studios, classrooms, conference rooms and other SCPA venues.
• Read stage layout specifications and blueprints and confer with the Stage Manager to determine type and location of sets, props, scenery, lighting, and sound equipment required for a specific event.
• Operate and control power tools and equipment safely.
• Act as backstage technician operating equipment or organizing personnel.
• Understand each piece of our theatrical equipment and knows how to use it.
• Perform basic maintenance to technical equipment.
• React quickly to new directions in a fast-paced environment.
• Act as an attendant for conference events.
• Assist other technicians whenever needed.
• Attend staff or client meetings as required.
• Enter accurate data regarding any show (show report, time sheet, and materials charged).
• Provide a safe and clean environment for staff, students and clients to work in.
• Work with the Manager of Theatre Services on any given task.

Lighting:

• Interpret a lighting designer's plan.
• Meet with clients and performers to determine the desired lighting for a performance.
• Hang and focus lighting equipment.
• Program consoles and loads automated colour change systems before a show.
• Execute pre-show, show, and post-show checklists.
• Operate manual and computer-controlled lighting systems during rehearsals and performances, following audible or visual cues.
• Take cues from the stage manager.
• Maintain the lighting equipment in good safe working condition.
• Create and maintains clear lighting cue sheets.

Sound:

• Meet with clients and performers to determine the desired sound for a performance.
• Understand sound equipment and acoustics.
• Set up and takes down sound equipment and perform sound checks.
• Use sound mixing boards to mix and edit music, voices and sound effects.
• Operate sound equipment during rehearsals and performances, following audible or visual cues.
• Take cues from the stage manager.
• Manage audio volume and sound quality at live events.
• Create and maintain clear sound cue sheets.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Well-rounded knowledge of lighting, sound, staging, and conference equipment.
• A minimum of 5 years professional experience in the industry is essential.
• A diploma or certificate in Technical Production from a recognized training institution would be considered a strong asset.
• An understanding of safety practices and first aid is strongly encouraged.
• A basic computer skill level with the ability to work in word processing and spreadsheet programs is recommended.

Application Deadline: December 10, 2021

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase I.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information about the Faculty of Arts visit Careers in the Faculty of Arts.

COVIDSafe Campus Strategy

The University has implemented a new Vaccination Directive that requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 1, 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination prior to commencing your duties. Please review the COVIDSafe Campus website for further information and access to additional resources.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.