Production Department | Venue Technical Director

Fine Arts Building, a historic landmark building located at 410 South Michigan Ave, home of the Studebaker Theater (a 600 seat proscenium), is seeking a dynamic leader to join our Production Department. We are building a talent pool to support our company’s growth and ensure our company is representative of the communities we serve. We view our employees and co-workers as equals who deserve our respect. It is important that we create and foster an affirming space for our employees to be seen as their full selves.

We are looking for a dynamic, strategic and thoughtful Technical Director to join our full-time team. Reporting directly to the Managing Artistic Director, the right candidate will have a strong background and expertise in technical theater, passion for production management and skill in leading a team.  You must be excited about stepping into a leadership role at a performing arts rental venue and working with a wide variety of clients within a multiplicity of artistic disciplines. You are someone who is strategic, empathetic, innovative, highly organized and a strong leader. You care about leading a team equitably and are equally passionate about cultivating and nurturing new talent. You enjoy working collaboratively as much as independently and someone who’d be excited about being part of a growing organization. 

This role’s primary function is leading the production department and guiding our renters from advancement to opening night. As the Venue Technical Director you are also responsible for management and oversight of our venue’s technical department heads, stage crew and support staff, as well as managing maintenance of our technical systems and ensuring the Studebaker is an organized and safe working environment. You will have the opportunity to be hands-on with productions ranging from musicals, plays, orchestra concerts, operas, live recorded podcasts and dance shows while ensuring our renters’ needs are met and the venue is well cared for.  While the Studebaker is almost entirely a rental venue, we do occasionally co-present, with the Venue Technical Director acting as production manager. You will be expected to interact regularly with Fine Arts Building and Studebaker team members and renters, while enforcing and upholding Fine Arts Building policies.

 

Key responsibilities include:

Show Management, Advancement and Quoting

  • Assesses show requirements and collaborates with clients to coordinate crew schedules and other production needs. 
  • Creates and approves labor quotes in the invoicing process, with support from the Assistant Technical Director.
  • Communicates additional charges and scheduling changes to rental clients. 
  • Balances venue’s interest while also providing excellent client service. 
  • Executes accurate technical rider and admin paperwork to support renters pre-production. 

Management of Crews and Schedules

  • Manages Assistant Technical Director.
  • Direct trainer of overhire crews for in-house systems: audio, lighting, video, and automation.
  • Recruits, hires, schedules department heads and additional crew as required by production need.
  • Supervisor and manager for crew, ensuring high operation standards and maintaining morale.
  • Enforces safety throughout the theater during all aspects of production.
  • Models behavior that creates a healthy work environment and positive department culture. 

Video Understanding

  • Experienced with SDI and HDMI protocols.
  • Capable of troubleshooting, routing, and converting digital video signals, including HDMI to SDI.
  • Proficient in using Qsys as the central infrastructure for routing audio to speakers and video to dressing rooms and production booths.
  • Proficient in Blackmagic Video Systems and in operating the ATEM Video Switcher.
  • Skilled in routing video signals using the Video Hub software.
  • Familiar with the 40 x 40 and 20 x 20 video routers.

Audio Understanding

  • Experienced with professional audio systems including L-Acoustics.
  • Proficient in digital audio protocols such as Dante and MADI, including setting up multitrack recordings and QLab machines.
  • Microphone knowledge: Dynamic, Condenser, Ribbon, etc.
  • Understands audio signal flow, cabling, and audio progression.
  • Familiar with analog splitters.
  • Proficient in using Qsys as the central infrastructure for routing audio to speakers and video to dressing rooms and production booths.
  • Capable of manually adjusting Qsys settings for special scenarios, such as operas or acoustic.
  • Experienced with patching and routing on the Digico Quantum series of consoles.
  • Skilled in patching both digital and analog sources into and out of the console.

Patchbays and Networking

  • Primary troubleshooter for patchbays, with a strong understanding of signal flow and routing.
  • Experienced with extensive digital and analog patchbays used for managing data and signals throughout the theater.
  • Knowledgeable in IP networking, including basic subnetting and VLANs.
  • Understands proper network configuration and troubleshooting.

ClearCom Communication Systems

  • Experienced in establishing and editing profiles on ClearCom Edge and FreeSpeak II systems.
  • Understanding of 2-wire and 4-wire communication systems.
  • Skilled in setting up and operation of wired and wireless ClearCom units.

Automated Rigging Understanding 

  • Familiar with Chicago Flyhouse EASE automated consoles.
  • Hands-on experience with both permanent and temporary automated rigging systems.
  • Basic understanding of winches and automated rigging components, including concepts such as soft limits, hard limits, load cells, acceleration, deceleration values, and cross grooves.

Lighting System Understanding 

  • Proficient in setting up, patching, and operating the ETC ION and EOS consoles.
  • Capable of addressing and troubleshooting lighting systems.
  • Knowledgeable about networking and setup of sACN and ArtNet protocols.
  • Efficient in integrating new equipment into the lighting system, including new fixtures or consoles.

 

Candidates with previous experience as a Technical Director of a rental venue or with a strong background in production management are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent required
  • Will strike the right balance between providing excellent client service while also protecting the venue’s interests and assets. 
  • Provide onsite, point-of-contact supervision and instruction to renters
  • Demonstrated ability and minimum 5 years leading technical and theatrical teams
  • Communicate regularly with producers, directors, and remote production teams to prepare load-in, strikes, and other theater events: musicals, orchestral, dance, panel, etc.
  • General understanding of contracts, production calendars, and theater timelines
  • Lead the discovery and advancement of incoming production requirements: technical, materials, rider sheet analysis
  • Lead Load-In’s and Strikes
  • Manage catalog and maintain audio, lighting and video inventory, including house and auxiliary venue systems: Clear-Com, paging and monitoring, cue lights, assisted listening, audio description
  • Possess a strong administrative, office, and communications background, with ability to create formal documents related to labor, equipment, or charge-backs
  • Remain up-to-date with theatrical stage technology trends and equipment and possess a general understanding of existing Studebaker gear and technical abilities. 
  • Ability to lift up-to 40lbs; stand, walk for extended periods; and navigate multi-tier, historic complex
  • Weekend, evening, some holiday availability is required

Ideal Candidates

  • Candidates should possess the ability to work calmly and clearly in high-paced settings as a supportive member of team
  • Value accessibility, supporting public audiences who will express a range and variation of physical ability: wheelchairs, assisted listening devices, canes, walkers, blind, deaf, captions, ASL
  • Will elevate anti-racist practices and assist our team in dismantling the systemic racism perpetuated within arts and culture
  • Passionately brings an appreciation of inclusivity to their role, peers, and our theater audiences, while identifying barriers that prevent full, human participation
  • Passionate about developing new talent and building new models 

Compensation
This is a full-time position with a starting annual salary range of $75,000 – $85,000 along with an employer paid benefits package including health, vision, dental, a generous PTO policy, transit FSA, and a 401k with employer match. Additional employee benefits include access to free rehearsal space and complimentary tickets to shows.

Schedule (40% Office/Admin 60% Production/Theater)
Acceptance of this position indicates a commitment to a fluctuating schedule and willingness to adapt to the varying theater programming.

Application Process:
Interviews will begin mid-September 2024

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to jobs@fineartsbuilding.com . Please format the subject line as follows:

  • Your Name: Technical Director 
    • (Example: John Doe: Technical Director)

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Covid Vaccination Policy
Please note that Fine Arts Building joins the coalition of Chicago theaters in implementing safety policies and guidelines for our staff and audience to protect against the spread of Covid-19. Full vaccination is required for employment. Proof of vaccination may be requested.

About Fine Arts Building
The Fine Arts Building was built in 1885, originally designed as the carriage assembly and showroom for the Studebaker Company. Situated on Michigan Avenue overlooking Grant Park, the building was immediately hailed as one of “Chicago’s architectural jewels.” In 1898, the building was repurposed to become the Fine Arts Building. From the beginning, the building attracted influential artists from all creative disciplines, becoming a cultural hub for some of the most acclaimed visionaries of their time – A home for art in all forms.

The Fine Arts Building acknowledges its place on the traditional unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other tribes such as the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac, and Fox also historically called this area home.

The Fine Arts Building strives to be an organization which embraces a commitment to Indigenous rights, racial justice, and cultural equity. As a home to some of Chicago’s most prominent artists, the Fine Arts Building strongly believes that art is for everyone and aims to be a driving force in showcasing art that is accessible to all. The Studebaker Theater is committed to building, fostering, and maintaining an inclusive, accessible, affirming, diverse workplace that is an equitable and anti-racist environment for artists to thrive. By honoring our past as a home for art in all forms, we carry that legacy into the future through articulating these core values. This vision of being an intersectional home to today’s artists shapes the organization’s decision-making and institutional policies.

Fine Arts Building is an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.

Audience Experience Team | Guest Associate

 

Fine Arts Building, a historic landmarked building located at 410 S. Michigan Ave, home of the Studebaker Theater (a 600 seat proscenium), is seeking dynamic individuals to join our Front of House team. We are building a talent pool to support our company’s growth and ensure our company is representative of the communities we serve. We view our employees and co-workers as equals who deserve our respect. It is important that we create and foster an affirming space for our employees to be seen as their full selves.

The right candidates will provide exceptional guest service at all times as they offer the first impression of our theater. Candidates should have the ability to assess and react quickly to guest’s needs, have superior cash-handling skills, and a genuine passion for theater. This position will allow the right candidate the opportunity to work within multiple departments of theater management.

Reporting directly to the Guest Experience Manager while under the supervision of the General Manager, you will be cross trained in multiple front of house positions but primary areas of responsibility will vary depending on your scheduled shift. Your duties may include assisting with will-call in the box office as well as facilitating the sale of tickets; greeting guests and scanning tickets; operating and maintaining bar and concessions. 

Candidates with previous experience in Customer Service, Box Office, Audience Services, or Arts Administration are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Requirements:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required 
  • Ability to lift up-to 40lbs
  • Ability to stand, walk, serve food and drink for extended periods 
  • Ability to climb stairs and multiple levels of the theater
  • Candidates should possess the ability to work calmly and clearly in high-paced settings as a supportive member of team
  • Weekend and Evening availability required
  • Ability to attend all scheduled dates of training


Ideal Candidates

  • Value accessibility, supporting public audiences who will express a range and variation of physical ability: wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, canes, walkers, blind, deaf, captions, ASL
  • Will elevate anti-racist practices and assist our team in dismantling the systemic racism perpetuated within arts and culture
  • Passionately brings an appreciation of inclusivity to their role, peers, and our theater audiences, while identifying barriers that prevent full, human participation
  • Extend grace, patience, and compassion as required by the start-up environment. You are joining a brand new company that is still building and growing – you must be excited by that.

This is a part-time position with a starting hourly rate of $17. Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter and 3 professional references to jobs@fineartsbuilding.com. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted for an initial interview in early April.  Anticipated start date will occur early May.

All applicants should format the subject line of the email as follows:
Guest Associate: Your Name in the subject of your email. (Example | Guest Associate: John Doe)

Please note that Fine Arts Building joins the coalition of Chicago theaters in implementing safety policies and guidelines for our staff and audience to protect against the spread of Covid-19. Full vaccination is required to be considered for employment.

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The Fine Arts Building was built in 1885, originally designed as the carriage assembly and showroom for the Studebaker Company. Situated on Michigan Avenue overlooking Grant Park, the building was immediately hailed as one of “Chicago’s architectural jewels.” In 1898, the building was repurposed to become the Fine Arts Building, Chicago’s first fine arts colony. From the beginning, the building attracted influential artists from all creative disciplines, becoming a cultural hub for some of the most acclaimed visionaries of their time – A home for art in all forms.

The Fine Arts Building acknowledges its place on the traditional unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other tribes such as the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac, and Fox also historically called this area home.

The Fine Arts Building strives to be an organization which embraces a commitment to Indigenous rights, racial justice, and cultural equity. As a home to some of Chicago’s most prominent artists, the Fine Arts Building strongly believes that art is for everyone and aims to be a driving force in showcasing art that is accessible to all. The Studebaker Theater, while not a producing organization, is committed to building, fostering, and maintaining an inclusive, accessible, affirming, diverse workplace that is an equitable and anti-racist environment for artists to thrive. By honoring our past as a home for art in all forms, we carry that legacy into the future through articulating these core values. This vision of being an intersectional home to today’s artists shapes the organization’s decision-making and institutional policies.

Fine Arts Building is an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.