Employment: Faculty Vacancies
Lighting Designer and Technical Director
Lighting Designer and Associate Technical Director(Grace Street Theater)
Instructor
Department of Dance and Choreography and Grace Street Theater
Grace Street Theater Mission
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To serve the dance department curriculum as the primary performance space for dance productions and presenting activities
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To serve as a lecture hall for art history classes and facility for cinematic screenings
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To serve the school of the arts, the university and community as a rental space for events compatible with the nature of the facility: dance concerts, lectures, video and film screenings and panel discussions.
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To provide a place where artists in the field of dance can present work
• To provide a welcoming, comfortable and safe place where members of the university and Richmond community can attend dance concerts.
VCU Department of Dance and Choreography Mission
To create an invigorating educational environment in which the student experiences the demands and challenges of a professional career as an artist in the field of dance. The program provides students with numerous opportunities for artistic growth in a community setting where communication, mutual respect and self- motivation are encouraged. To provide instruction and leadership for our students in the areas of technical theater and Lighting Design.
Purpose of Position
To provide high quality lighting design for all dance department productions. To serve as associate technical director for alternate Grace Street Theater events. Serve as technical director and stage manager for all Dance Department Productions. Provide the technical direction, stage management, communication and facilitation needed to for the department to present a professionally produced, well organized, safe and artistically strong production series each year involving students as the core production crew.
Qualifications:
• Professional experience in technical theater and lighting design
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MFA degree preferred
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Knowledge of all procedures connected with technical direction of dance and theatrical productions
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Demonstrated ability to design lights for dance, and knowledge of dance as an art form
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Experience teaching on an undergraduate level
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Interest and experience in working with students, running student crews, training student crews
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Stage Management Skills
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Communication skills
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Demonstrated ability to collaborate
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Ability to create and execute technical production schedules involving many elements and many people
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Ability to train and lead college level students in high pressure working situations
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Ability to set up, run and maintain theater/video/sound/lighting equipment
Responsibilities:
Serve as Associate Technical Director for all Grace Street Theater Productions
• Alternate with or assist GST technical director in executing all technical aspects of GST productions. This will include load-ins, hang and focus work calls, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances and strikes. Productions will include Dance Department in-house and visiting artist productions, VCU and School of the Arts productions plus various community productions.
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Make sure that all Departmental productions run smoothly and that rental productions have technical support outlined in the GST guidelines.
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Hold GST users accountable for staying within Grace Street Theater guidelines.
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Guard space and equipment against unsafe use or damage.
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Alternate with or assist the Grace Street Theater Technical Director in the inventory and maintenance of GST equipment.
Serve as in-house lighting designer for the Grace Street Theater and Dance Department
• Design lighting for Dance Department student and faculty productions as assigned.
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Serve as contact for all guest companies or productions presented by VCU Dance.
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Work with visiting production designers and technical staffs to effectively execute design and production elements within GST guidelines. This work occurs over long-distance prior to company arrival and on site during technical rehearsals and performance.
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Serve as liaison between guest dance companies, Dance Production Specialist, Dance Technical
• Director and GST staff when preparing for visiting productions presented by VCU Dance.
Serve as Stage Manager for all Dance Department Productions
• Create breakdown of tech schedule in consultation with the production specialist, GST Manager and Department Chair
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Consult with Production Specialist and Grace Street Theater Staff to plan and create crew schedules, time-tables and crew lists
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Conduct sign-up days for student crews.
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Keep yearly calculation of crew hours plus notation of job performance for each student.
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Take attendance at crew calls and provide firm, consistent direction to students in relation to crew calls and crew work. Give Production Specialist information about students who are absent from crew call. Set a tone of discipline and professionalism and reliability.
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Attend workshop on a regular basis to make announcements and organize crews for upcoming productions
Provide leadership and mentorship to VCU Dance Students in the area of lighting design. Provide leadership to students in the area of technical theater as it relates to the department and to the overall field.
• Orient students to the lighting design process.
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Serve as a positive, professional, guiding leader for students in all working processes, specifically in the area of lighting design.
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Provide supportive, informed leadership when collaborating with students on lighting design for their choreographic projects.
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Uphold departmental policies, set and expect a positive, professional work ethic of students, reward students who excel and guide students who show a particular interest in technical theater.
Train student crews and assist in overseeing equipment use by visitor and renters.
• Provide VCU students with training on professional production procedures as well as safe and effective use of production equipment. Visitors and renters should only use GST equipment if they are qualified to do so.
Teach the required course in Dance Production Workshop and the Lighting Design for Dance elective class, and/or other curriculum as arranged with department chair.
Attend production meetings with departmental faculty/staff, as scheduled by Dance Production Specialist, or with GST staff as needed.
Attend faculty meetings, as scheduled by Dance Chair, and communicate pertinent information to the GST Manager and Technical Director.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information about the position and VCU School of the Arts contact our website at www.vcu.edu/arts.
