Newark Academy is seeking a professional to serve in the full-time role of Technical Theatre Director as a member of the Performing and Visual Arts Department. This position’s start date is negotiable, and the selected candidate may begin immediately but must start for the 2025-26 school year. The successful candidate will facilitate all technical needs for an active and robust Performing and Visual Arts Department, with primary responsibilities in set, lighting, and sound design, as well as construction/implementation for school events and performances and developing and overseeing a student-crew program.
A strong work ethic centered on excellent organizational skills and developing and maintaining positive collaborative relationships and communications with colleagues, students, families, administrators, operations staff, and outside vendors is essential to the role.
Responsibilities include:
Acting as House Manager and in-house expert regarding technical systems, supervising the activities of all technical departments - lighting, sound, and carpentry - and overseeing the use and maintenance of theater equipment in the Coraci Performance Hall and The Lautenberg Black Box Theatre.
Designing, coordinating, and constructing sets for drama and musical performances, working collaboratively with Directors.
Creating high-quality technical and construction drawings/models for the design and engineering of sets with proficiency in Vectorworks software.
Managing the acquisition of materials (lumber, A/V rentals, theatrical accessories, etc.).
Designing, setting up, maintaining, and operating lighting and sound systems for theatre, dance, music, and other school productions and projects.
Coordinating production schedules and meetings in collaboration with Directors.
Caring for, maintaining, and operating all technical equipment and systems.
Assuring equipment safety standards are met under the supervision of the Director of Operations.
Overseeing inventory of equipment and materials pertaining to productions.
Reviewing current and future equipment needs and recommending purchases.
Creating and maintaining relationships with independent contractors and vendors for technical needs.
Developing and training a student tech crew capable of carpentry, sound, and light implementation.
Scheduling, organizing, and supervising student crew calls (after school).
Assisting the Technology Department’s Media Support Specialist when additional tech hands are needed for Morning Meetings, College Night, Board Meetings, etc.
Desired Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required (Technical Theatre is useful, but not required); Master’s degree is preferred.
Experience working with and supporting a diverse community of students, parents, and colleagues.
Demonstrated time management skills; ability to prioritize support requests, work on multiple tasks with minimal supervision, and escalate support requests as necessary to ensure that all projects are completed within acceptable timeframes.
Hands-on experience in carpentry/set construction, lighting equipment, rigging systems, painting, and sound.
Knowledge of recording and editing digital audio Workstations e.g., Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, etc.
Exemplary attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Availability for evening and weekend rehearsals, tech calls, performances, and events.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
Experience working in independent schools is preferred but not required.
Diversity / Inclusion Statement:
Newark Academy seeks and celebrates diversity in its faculty, staff, and student body. In admissions and employment practices, scholarship aid, and educational programs, Newark Academy upholds applicable state and federal laws and regulations prohibiting unlawful discrimination.
Newark Academy, a co-educational, independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory, Grades 6-12 day school in Livingston, NJ. Founded in 1774, Newark Academy is the second oldest day school in the state of New Jersey, and one of 11 pre-Revolutionary schools still operating in the United States. In 1964, the Academy moved from Newark to its current location in Livingston, NJ and, in 1971, became fully co-educational.
Mission Statement : Newark Academy will contribute to society thoughtful and compassionate citizens who embrace their responsibilities as ethical, intellectual and civic stewards in the global environment.
Newark Academy seeks and celebrates diversity in its faculty, staff and student body. In admission and employment practices, scholarship aid and educational programs, Newark Academy upholds applicable state and federal laws and regulations prohibiting unlawful discrimination.