Head Audio

Company Overview

About the Chemainus Theatre Festival: Founded in 1993, the Chemainus Theatre Festival is a not-for-profit professional theatre company located on Vancouver Island. The Chemainus Theatre Festival is dedicated to building a just, equitable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible workplace and community. We encourage all interested applicants to apply and will consider all submissions inclusive of all ages, ability, gender, race, ethnocultural identity, or any other basis. With gratitude, we acknowledge the Puneluxutth (Penelakut) Tribe and the hul’qumi’num speaking peoples, on whose traditional territory we work and play.

Job Description

Job Title: Head Audio

Job Category: IATSE 168 Seasonal Employee

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Production Manager, the Head Audio is responsible for the coordination and operations of the live audio department. Duties of the Head Audio shall include, but not be limited to, the costing and planning for the department, the installation, operation, strike and maintenance of shows, rehearsals, or presentations that require a live audio mix. They work collaboratively with the Technical Director, Head Electrics, guest artists and other production departments to ensure the artistic vision of the director and design team is realized on stage while maintaining safe work practices for all production staff and guest artists, in accordance with company policy, Worksafe BC, CAEA, Actsafe, IATSE 168 and industry best standards.

Key Responsibilities:

· Fulfilling all responsibilities in a manner consistent with the Chemainus Theatre Festival’s mission statement, respectful workplace policy and communication credo.

· Upholding the professional image and name of the theatre during all dealings with staff, guest artists and the public.

· Communication of departmental updates in a timely, professional and respectful manner to CTF staff and guest artists.

· The installation, operation, strike and maintenance of shows, rehearsals, or presentations that require a live audio mix as required.

· Setup, programming and operation of digital and analog audio consoles

· Mixing live audio, including vocals and musical instruments

· Adapting live audio mixes when required for Relaxed Performances or other specialty programming.

· Creating, modifying and/or interpreting various technical drawings

· Managing an annual and show-specific budget.

· Managing department inventory and repairs or informing the Production Manager when outsourcing may be required.

· Researching, planning, and implementing live audio elements for each production.

· Maintaining rentals and/or CTF equipment in good repair.

· Providing a safe, tidy, clean and well-maintained work environment which adheres to company policy, Worksafe BC, CAEA, Actsafe and industry best practices.

· Training, orienting and supervising casual staff as required.

· Attending departmental and company meetings as required.

· Supporting or assisting other CTF production departments as required.

· Other production tasks as assigned by the Production Manager.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

· Post-secondary education in a technical theatre program and/or prior service in a similar position.

· Experience and proficiency in the use of theatrical audio software and live audio mixing of musicians and vocalists.

· Experience with Audio consoles (currently an Allen and Heath SQ6 FOH Console)

· Proficient in the use of Qlab

· Sound design skills are an asset

· A collaborative, creative, and strategic thinking individual with experience in non-profit theatre production.

· Self-directed, able to identify and undertake a task with limited direction or information when required.

· Strong organizational, and project management skills.

· Strong verbal and written communication skills.

· Ability to switch focus and effectively prioritize tasks.

· Ability to work well under pressure / deadlines

· Fall Arrest training an asset

· Knowledge of basic rigging for theatre is an asset

· Willingness to learn and develop skills.

· Comfortable working in a dynamic and deadline-based environment.

· Holds safety in high esteem and familiar with guidelines and regulations from Worksafe BC, CAEA, Actsafe and Theatrical Industry standards

· Experience working alongside a unionized crew.

· Strong knowledge of office software an asset (Outlook, Word, Excel, Sharepoint).

· Class 5 BC driver’s license an asset

· Basic First Aid certification an asset

· Must be able to work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends.

Working Conditions

· Working independently with safety protocols in place

· Frequently working at heights in the Chemainus Theatre grid or using a ladder

· Working around and with power tools and power equipment

· Frequent lifting of up to 50lbs: including speakers and other audio gear

· Frequent use of stairs and ladders

· Occasional long workdays (over 10 hours in length)

· Occasional driving of company vehicles (owned and rented)

· Frequent working in low-light and varying-light environments

· Very occasional travel may be required

Compensation & Benefits:

· $25.69 per hour in accordance with the CTF & IATSE 168 collective bargaining agreement with benefits as follows:

o 4% Vacation Pay

o 5 sick days per year

o 1% in lieu of health & dental benefits

o 1% contribution to the CEIRP

· 2 Complimentary Theater tickets to each CTF mainstage production.

· CTF Company Card benefits which include additional staff discounts for the Playbill Dining Room, Gallery Gift Shop, CTF Cabaret Series Tickets and applicable local Chemainus businesses

Hours of Work:

Typical hours of work are 9:00-5:30 during install days and 12:30pm to 10:30pm (with a 2-hr meal break) Wednesdays-Sundays. Extended days are expected in the weeks leading up to each mainstage production.

696 Guaranteed Minimum Hours* for the 2026 Season

*Additional hours and/or responsibilities, including the role of ATD, may be offered to the right candidate

2026 Production Dates (dates as currently planned and subject to change)

Show #1 – Godspell

Install, Tech & Notes as called – January 27-February 20

Show Operation as called - February 20-March 29

Strike – March 31

Show #2 – Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Install, Tech & Notes as called – May 19-June 12

Show Operation as called – June 12-August 23 *possible extension to August 30th

Strike – September 1

*Possible flexibility of the above dates may be negotiable for the right candidate