Lighting Supervisor

TITLE: Lighting Supervisor

STATUS: Hybrid, Hourly In-person and remote

LOCATION: Becket, MA and remote

REPORTS TO: Director of Technical Production

DEPARTMENT: Production

SUPERVISES: Assistant Lighting Supervisor; Festival Lighting Engineer; Overhire Production Staff

WORKS WITH: Artistic Programming; Archives and Preservation; The School at Jacob’s Pillow; Philanthropy; Finance and Operations; Video Documentation Team; Facilities, Safety and Security; Visiting Companies Staff and Artists

START: March, 2026 

FESTIVAL ARRIVAL: May 11, 2026

FESTIVAL DEPARTURE: September 4, 2026

COMPENSATION: May-September (Festival): $25.63-27.00/hr; Time and a half after 48 hours

    September-April (Remote): $1,250 Monthly Stipend

       September-April (Programming): $25.63-27.00/hr; Time and a half after 48 hours

SCHEDULE:   May-September (Festival): 6 Day work week

  September-April (Remote): 0-10 Hour work week

  September-April (Programming): 12-16 Weeks, 6 Day work week           

BENEFITS (SUMMER ONLY):  Three meals a day; Free access to classes; performances, talks, and studio usage. 

The Lighting Supervisor’s primary responsibility is the planning, preparation, and facilitation of all lighting elements of Festival programming in the Ted Shawn Theatre (TST), Doris Duke Theatre (DDT), Henry J. Leir Stage (HJL) as well as ancillary spaces across the campus. During the Festival they supervise the Assistant Lighting Supervisor and Festival Electrician as well as the use and care of all rental and house lighting equipment. They also support each theater’s Production Management team and Electricians in executing a company’s lighting requirements. The Lighting Supervisor supports the Pillow’s non-festival programming which includes productions and residencies in the DDT during fall, winter and spring. A hybrid position, the Lighting Supervisor is housed and paid hourly for on-site in-person work and will receive a monthly stipend during non-festival months. Hybrid work will involve assisting the Director of Technical Production (DoTP) and the Senior Production Manager (SPM) as the main lighting point of contact advancing all productions and preparing for the summer. During non-festival programming they are supported by overhire labor and will act as Head Electrician.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Create an accessible and collaborative work environment that enables artists and technicians to create together positively and safely.  
• Establish clear communication with visiting companies’ lighting and technical teams as the Pillow’s primary lighting point of contact. 
• Determine and advise the SPM and the DoTP on all necessary equipment and labor for each production.
• Assist the Production Managers in maintaining detailed paperwork listing each production’s lighting requirements.
• Using existing drawings, paperwork and previous seasons’ rentals assist in confirming and documenting lighting systems for the TST, DDT, HJL, and tents and other support spaces.
• Assist the Programming and Production Administrator (PPA) in creating and confirming seasonal and production based rental orders or purchases.
• Advise the DoTP, SPM and the Director of Facilities, Safety and Security on lighting related capital improvement projects and equipment upgrades.
• Using companies’ riders assist the DoTP and the SPM in confirming the technical feasibility of proposed programming.
• Supervise the installation and use of all lighting equipment to ensure its safe and appropriate usage.
• Orient and advise all lighting team members on the Pillow’s lighting inventory and infrastructure.
• Ensure electricians have access to and understand all seasonal and show specific lighting information collected during advancing. 
• Advise seasonal and overhire staff on the best practices and standard operating procedures of professional theatrical lighting systems and equipment.
• Assist the Production Managers and Lighting Engineers in creating labor plans for changeovers and company load-ins.
• Actively support the Electricians during changeovers, company load-ins and technical rehearsals.
• Assist the Electricians in troubleshooting any system or production based technical issues.
• Assist the Festival Lighting Engineer with the creation, installation, and implementation of lighting systems for non-theater based programming.
• Supervise the Assistant Lighting Supervisor and Festival Lighting Engineer ensuring that their roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and executable.
• In consultation with the Production Managers teams create or collaborate on weekly schedules for the Assistant Lighting Supervisor and Festival Electrician based on production needs. 
• Coordinate with the Video Documentation Team to ensure they have access to the necessary production systems, equipment and staffing to successfully record all programming.
• Assist in the planning, preparation and execution of Festival exhibitions.  
• Attend all organizational, departmental and production meetings including a weekly All-Staff Meeting.
• Assist in the implementation of the weather plan for HJL and other outdoor programming.
• Facilitate regular meetings with the Lighting Team.
• Under the general direction of the DoTP, assist with coordination of emergency response for staff and patrons in the event of an emergency or extreme weather.
• Assist the PPA in tracking seasonal and show specific lighting expenses.
• Ensure festival documentation and files are being correctly saved and archived. 
• Complete Adult/Child CPR, First Aid, Cultural Competency, and required Safety training. 
• Assist and support other departments, including non-production departments, as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• 5 years of professional theatrical lighting experience. 
• Experience supervising and managing staff and equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of and the ability to instruct others on theatrical lighting systems, equipment and standard operating procedures.
• Strong knowledge of production-related health & safety best practices/concerns and ability to identify and correct potential hazards.
• Strong knowledge and experience with the EOS family of lighting consoles and their programming language.
• Strong knowledge of DMX, Ethernet, and wireless theatrical networks.
• Proficiency with Google App suite, the Vectorworks suite of software, Lightwright, as well as other industry-standard lighting applications.
• Strong knowledge of theatrical rigging best practices, systems, and safety.
• Experience with budgeting and scheduling.
• Willingness to learn.
• Ability to work proactively, creatively, flexibly, kindly, safely, and collaboratively.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working and/or teaching in a performing arts educational environment.
• Knowledge and experience in dance production.
• Experience working on and designing lighting systems for outdoors or non-traditional venues.
• Experience working on productions that incorporate robotics, motion capture technologies and extended reality technologies such as augmented reality or virtual reality.
• Experience driving cargo vans and box trucks.
• Valid driver’s license.

SKILLS & QUALITIES

• Active commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to read, interpret, and instruct others on lighting plots and paperwork, stage plans, and related technical documents.
• Demonstrated ability to conceive, strategize, manage, and prioritize between multiple projects with accuracy and attention to detail.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Working in wooded areas with exposure to native wildlife including, but not limited to, rodents, ticks, and mosquitos.
• Working outdoors in all weather conditions including inclement weather. 
• Working 6-day work weeks including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends during Festival weeks and non-Festival programming.
• Moving equipment up to 50 lbs alone or with assistance.
• Moving through and between multiple locations throughout the entire campus.
• Remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Working at heights above 6 feet and up to 30 feet.
• Ascending and descending straight and step ladders.
• Operating push around or drivable person lifts including at heights.
• Working in show conditions with theatrical and atmospheric elements including but not limited to: fog, haze, strobes, dim lights, and loud sounds.

APPLICATION PROCESS

*We believe that no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications. We are less concerned about whether you’ve done everything on a laundry list of specific things and more interested in cultivating a pool of candidates who want to join a connected, mission-driven, hard-working team driven by creativity, curiosity, inclusion, integrity, flexibility, and partnership.

HIRING PROCESS

1. Apply: Interested individuals are encouraged to send a cover letter, resume, and references by submitting an application using the “Apply” buttons below. Video and/or audio applications are welcome (though not required) in addition to written expressions of interest.
2. Interview: Pre-Screen on Zoom, 1-2  interviews with Hiring Manager and other JP staff on Zoom.
3. Supplemental Materials: A writing sample, spreadsheet example, or other relevant materials may be requested from candidates should they be a top candidate. 

If you need accommodations to make this application process happen, please connect with us at hr@jacobspillow.org.. We will work to support you through the application process via email, phone call, and/or video chat.

Salary : $26 - $27