Technical Director

Position: Technical Director
Reports to: Production Manager
Supervises: All Seasonal Shop Employees in Carpentry, Props, Lighting, Audio, Paints
Status: Full Time Exempt

STAGES St. Louis is a 501©(3) not-for-profit theatre company, committed to preserving and advancing the art form of Musical Theatre through excellence in performance and education in the St. Louis region. In 2026 STAGES, will be celebrating its 40th year of producing Broadway-quality theatre, employs a full-time staff of twenty and a seasonal company from March to October, presenting 111 performances to nearly 50,000 patrons.
STAGES also educates thousands of students each year at its Performing Arts Academy, the St. Louis region’s only year-round arts school with a comprehensive curriculum run by a professional theatre company.

STAGES is seeking a Technical Director to assist in leading the Production Department and supervise all scenic elements and budget. The Technical Director will collaborate with the Production Manager on the implementation of the vision of the Artistic Team while remaining within the available resources of time, budget, and personnel. They will also support all production initiatives across the organization.

Essential Functions:
• Estimate material and labor needs for all productions based on the script, designer models, drafts, and meetings.
• Complete understanding of how all scenic pieces are to be used onstage and in offstage storage.
• Select the best construction method and materials of scenic units in collaboration with designer.
• Create and distribute construction drafting to staff. Ensure the production staff is properly instructed on assembly processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate budget reports as requested by finance department.
• Create, post and update build calendar, construction timetable, and crew work schedules for each production.
• Hire, retain, and supervise the Assistant Technical Director, Paint Charge, Property Supervisor, Electrics Supervisor, Audio Supervisor, and production shop staff.
• Oversee and schedule maintenance of shop equipment and facilities in coordination with the production manager.
• Collaborate with staff to create a safe, positive, and productive work environment.
• Attend all design conversations and production meetings.
• Assist in the review and approve all scenic, paint, properties, lighting, audio, and stagehand payroll.
• Develop plans for capital improvements and strategic plans for shops with department heads.

Other Responsibilities:
• Function as vehicle manager, including up-keep, security, and operation for STAGES production vehicles.
• Keep accurate inventory of company equipment for paints, scenic, electrics, properties, and audio shops.
• Coordinate rentals as needed.
• Provide support to development and education events as assigned by production manager.

Knowledge and Skills:
• Bachelor Degree in theatre or equivalent professional experience in scenic construction or related work.
• Five years of professional theater experience with at least 4 years’ experience as a Technical Director or similar position.
• Knowledge of construction techniques for carpentry, rigging, and welding required.
• Experience preferred in MS Office Suite – especially Word, Excel, and Outlook, AutoCAD, and Google Sketchup
• Ability to drive 26’ Box Trucks
• Ability to use, operate, and train team members on various aerial work platforms, including but not limited to scissor lifts and single person mast lifts.
• Working Knowledge of OSHA and NFPA regulations.
• Familiarity with unions preferred, including AEA, IATSE, USA, SDC, AFM.

Work Conditions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Compensation:
$60,000 – $65,000 salary depending on experience. This is a full-time, year-round, exempt position. Benefits include year-round health/dental coverage, life insurance, and PTO, along with optional vision coverage, tax-saving flexible spending, and 401K.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter in a pdf, including three references, to jobs@stagesstlouis.org.

STAGES St. Louis is an equal employment organization. The organization is committed to the principles of affirmative action and acts in accordance with state and federal laws.