Augsburg University has maintained a strong academic reputation defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies since 1869. A safe and welcoming campus in the heart of Minneapolis, Augsburg offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 3,200 diverse students.

Augsburg’s mission is to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Augsburg invites individuals who share our mission and commitment to intentional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to join our community.  In particular, Augsburg invites BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans and those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Summary of Position

The role of the Technical Director (TD) includes planning, budgeting, and building elements of the theater production. The TD position will also supervise scenic, lighting, and sound design while also managing the scene shop. The position serves as the main instructor for several theater practicums each semester with a great deal of student mentorship and supervision of students involved in departmental productions. The position coordinates schedules for scenery, lighting, sound, and crews as well as coordinates with the director, designers, and stage managers to ensure safety and fulfillment of the production needs. This position also serves as a carpenter and supervises all shop and theater facility work. The role also includes designing lights for two mainstage productions each season. 

The role of the Production Manager includes administrative duties related to producing several various size projects each season and the planning of the next year’s season programming. The position includes annual budgeting related to productions and budgeting goals and processing various season related payments. Responsibilities include space planning associated with season productions, box office, front of house, and interfacing with university calendars and reserving spaces. The position oversees promotion materials for the season and secures royalties and contracts. 

The position utilizes a flexible schedule to accommodate a typical professional theater process and the need to work longer hours during weeks leading up to a production’s opening and during technical rehearsals.

Primary Responsibilities

• Running weekly production meetings and coordinating work of guest designers.
• Developing daily work lists and setting project priorities. 
• Overseeing scenic, lighting and sound crews. 
• Planning all load in and strike of scenic elements. 
• Instructing and grading technical theater practicums (THP). 

Scene Shop Supervisor

• Serve as scene shop lead for department productions and workshops of various sizes each season. 
• Oversee construction of sets and props.
• Oversee purchasing for the scene shop and rentals.
• Manage scene shop budget for all departmental productions. 
• Create and manage the scene shop work schedule. 
• Organize and maintain theater facilities and tech week.
• Maintain all scene shop equipment and arrange repairs as required. 
• Maintain inventory of shop supplies and tools. 

Student Labor and Practicums:

• Hire qualified students to work in the scene shop. 
• Determine work schedules and assignments for student employees and students completing class requirements or earning practicum credits in the scene shop to support departmental productions. 

Student Design Mentoring

• Teaching and mentoring students involved in departmental productions/workshops including, but not limited to student scenic technician’s constructions skills and workload management; backstage crew’s communication and problem-solving skills; stage manager’s communication and organizational skills; performer collaboration and etiquette during rehearsals and tech week; and student designer’s collaboration and execution skills. 
• Select, mentor, and supervise student designers and/or assistant designers for departmental productions and workshops.
• Attend student-designed project production meetings and technical rehearsals in a mentorship role. 

Production Manager

• Coordinate with Events on all theater programming including reserving space and planning of the future season. ● Oversee Box office/ticketing and oversee front of house. 
• Manage promotion materials, secure rights and royalties for play scripts and manage needs of guest directors and designers.
• Serve on the Season Selection Committee. 
• Attend bi-weekly Theater Department meetings as needed. 
• All other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds. 
• Must be comfortable on a ladder and working from a catwalk. 
• Must understand construction techniques utilizing both wood and steel. 
• Must possess an understanding of both lighting and sound operations and systems. 
• Must understand and be able to computer draft. 

Minimum Qualifications

• B.A. or graduate degree in technical theater and/or design or equivalent professional experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in project management.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to mentor and oversee stage management. 
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment; and work independently with little supervision. 
• Ability to reason/analyze; maintain confidentiality; and demonstrate patience, understanding. 
• Ability to show initiative; organize workflow; manage one or more projects; and handle frequent interruptions.
• Ability to construct scenery and props. 
• Ability to hang, focus and design lighting. 
• Ability to operate and program sound systems. 
• Ability to operate with fast and approaching deadlines.

Benefits at Augsburg

Augsburg University offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards program including: 

• Medical, dental and vision coverage

• A generous 403(b) matching program with an employer contributions of up to 8% upon eligibility

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses and dependents, and participation in the Tuition Exchange program with colleges and universities throughout the US

• Generous paid time-off, including 14 paid holidays, 12 sick days, 2 community service days, and vacation of up to 22 days per year immediately upon hire

• Employer-paid STD, LTD and life insurance

• Enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.  

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: [email protected].