Technical Director

Chester Playhouse

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The Chester Playhouse presents music, theatre, movies, variety performances, community events, youth programming and training, and more, with a base of operations in the village of Chester, along Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore. The Playhouse building was built in 1939, and has hosted artistic activities since that time, bringing the community together to experience the magic of live entertainment. Recently re-opened in August 2023 after a near complete rebuild, the Playhouse is a new, modern, facility with all LED lighting, professional quality film projection and sound, a variable acoustic system to accommodate various needs, and an environmentally-conscious, energy efficient design.

We are seeking a knowledgeable, reliable, enthusiastic, and curious technician to oversee all areas of technical production for the Playhouse’s year-round programming. This is a salaried position with variable hours, (based largely around programming in evenings and weekends), with some regular hours devoted to preparations, meetings, consultation and maintenance. Administrative work may be performed in a work-from-home model, if desired.

Our ideal candidate is:

• Well-versed and confident in all areas of technical theatre, ideally with expertise in lighting/projection.
• Professional, reliable, and able to communicate clearly, calmly, and kindly to artists, staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Able to secure reliable transportation.
• Able to work long hours, both independently and as part of a team.
• Capable of leading a team, guiding volunteers and students of technical theatre.
• Able to manage some heavy lifting & transport (with help and creative solutions)

Responsibilities include:

• Serving as an ambassador of the Chester Playhouse at all times, ensuring artists and audiences are comfortable, supported and nurtured, in an atmosphere free of harassment and bigotry, and that actively works towards anti-racism and decolonisation.
• With the Executive Director, analyzing artist technical requirements, devising creative solutions, and implementing them for performances. These include music performances (sound & lights), movie showings (sound & projection), theatre (sound, lights, aiding install and management of hard assets), and other similar events.
• Advising the Executive Director on required and beneficial purchases to support programming.
• Serving as house tech for most events, and arranging suitable support personnel. Traditionally, this role has served as lighting tech, creating and operating lighting for events, with an external contractor operating as sound tech. Other models will be considered, depending on the experience of the applicant.
• Participating in regular staff meetings, flagging concerns, reporting on successes/challenges.
• Regular consultation with the Executive Director and Playhouse Building Committee, providing valuable insight into current and standard practices in live performance presentation.
• Overseeing maintenance and operations in the Playhouse venue.
• Maintaining a safe and organized work environment at all times.
• Maintaining a well-stocked inventory of technical assets, and managing ordering/replacing as needed.
• Remaining conscious and informed on fire and safety procedures, and ensuring they are followed at all times.
• Serving as fire warden on events.

The following skills would be an asset:

• Knowledge around Electrical Distribution, Data Networking, Communications System for theatre shows, Video Projection and Live Video Streaming
• In particular, ability to operate a lighting board using DMX lighting protocol. Our current board is an ETC Element 2.
• A broad knowledge base (basic carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing).
• IT knowledge, and fluent computer skills.
• Comfort with email, Google Suite, Microsoft Office suite, etc.
• Simple budgeting.
• Knowledge of the Municipality of Chester, and the South Shore.
• Knowledge of, and connection to, the local arts scene.
• A passion for live performance and the arts in general. 

This important position will be compensated with a beginning yearly salary of $63,700, representing an equivalent of 35 hours per week, paid at $35/hr. This includes 2 weeks paid vacation. A stipend for moving expenses will be offered for applicants living outside of the nearby area.

We ask interested parties to please send the following to Executive Director Andrew Chandler (he/him) at andrew @ chesterplayhouse.ca, or to call (902) 275-3933 ext. 2 to discuss.

• A brief cover letter introducing yourself and your skills.
• A CV detailing your relevant experience.

Our desired start date is before September 15th, 2025. We will consider applications until this position has been filled, and will negotiate a transition with the successful candidate, based upon their availability and schedule.

Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview (either in person or online, as comfort allows). We are unfortunately unable to interview every candidate. The Chester Playhouse is eager to provide opportunities to applicants from all backgrounds, and is eager to accommodate the right person who brings a unique viewpoint to our
organization. We encourage all interested parties to reach out if they are interested, to discuss how we can best accommodate your application.