Production Manager

Posting Title

Overview

Primary responsibility:

The Production Manager serves as the central coordinator for all production activities within the School of Performing Arts. This position oversees the planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution of performances, events, and productions across the disciplines of Music and Drama. The Production Manager ensures that each production meets the artistic vision of the faculty and directors while maintaining fiscal responsibility, safety standards, and institutional policies.

This position requires strong organizational, technical, and business management skills, as well as the ability to collaborate with artists, faculty, students, and university administration.

Responsibilities

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee all elements of the production office and production office staff.
• Create and maintain a safe environment for all personnel in our theatre spaces and shops, as well as our patrons, through written policies and other means.
• Supervise and train staff production assistants, and student workers in the production office.
• Hire directors, creatives, designers, and ringers working on the production season.
• Work with procurement to complete contract/payroll paperwork for contracted artists.
• Purchase equipment/services as needed by the shops and/or theatre.
• Lead season planning timelines and logistics in collaboration with faculty and producer
• Create, oversee, and communicate budgets for all performance events in the RSPA.
• Locate, interview, and hire overhire technical staff for RSPA productions in collaboration with shop heads.
• Create production schedules and ensure the deadlines are met throughout the season.
• Acquire rights and licenses for stage productions.
• Read all scripts prior to the first production meeting.
• Attend or ensure a qualified member of the production team attends first rehearsals, speaks to actors about policies, and elects a cast rep.
• Attend or ensure a qualified member of the production team attends all technical rehearsals for the five main-stage productions annually.
• Run and plan an agenda for the weekly staff production meeting.
• Regular communication with technical shops to help keep them on schedule for builds, load-ins, strikes, etc.
• Regular communication with Production Assistants, Box Office Manager, and RSPA Marketing personnel.
• Regular communication with the producer to discuss budgets and season planning, and personnel.
• Assistance in shops and other various production needs (as qualified and able), approaching technical rehearsals.
• Oversee piano moves for concerts, recitals, and productions.  Piano moving companies sometimes only have early hours.
• Serve as watch captain, could be for both Hartke and Ward buildings, depending on the day and needs.
• Tour outside venues for possible concerts and school needs.

     Duties the Production Manager has shared responsibility with the Technical Director, Costume Shop Manager, or others

• Oversee load-in/out for orchestral concerts which may involve instrument rentals, instrument moving, and truck rentals/operation.
• Attend academic safety council meetings (bi-yearly).
• Oversee prop procurement in the absence of a props designer and supervise up to 2 student employees assisting with props for all stage productions.
• Serve as student orchestra manager’s supervisor along with the head of the orchestra to ensure orchestral needs are met.
• Co-teach (if qualified) with Shop Managers, Drama 104 Introduction to Technical Theatre, each Spring semester. (This is optional and is paid separately)

      Duties that are the responsibility of the Production Manager but are typically done by Production Assistants or Students

• Ensure student stage managers are supported by the production office with appropriate supplies and mentorship.
• Oversee program creation and ensure accuracy.
• Oversee crew needs for productions, track crew hours, and enter grades.
• Attend weekly orchestra meetings (as needed).
• Coordinate spaces for rehearsal’s, productions, and rentals (both in and out of house).
• Schedule and staff recitals with student workers.
• Oversee and keep inventory of the lending of A/V equipment to students.
• Schedule theatrical spaces and rehearsal rooms, keep Google calendars up to date.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree: Degree in Music, Drama, or Dance preferred.

(Consideration given without a degree to candidates with significant production management experience)

At a minimum, three years of technical theatre experience and/or experience in event/production operations. Must have at least 2 years of supervisory experience.