Lighting Designer/Stage Manager - Virginia Commonwealth University

Lighting Designer/Stage Manager (Non-benefited - Hourly)

Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
Department of Dance and Choreography

The Opportunity

The Lighting Designer and Stage Manager will provide the technical direction, stage management, communication, and facilitation needed for the department to present a professionally produced, well-organized, safe, and artistically strong production series each year involving students as the core production crew.

Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Dance and Choreography, the Lighting Designer and Stage Manager is a part-time hourly opportunity that will work a maximum of 29 hours per week, on average, primarily during the University’s academic year, which begins in mid-August and ends in mid-May. Some evenings and weekends will be required.

Responsibilities

Lighting Design:

• Design lighting for VCU Dance student and faculty productions
• Serve as contact for all guest companies or productions presented by VCU Dance
• Work with visiting production designers and technical staff to effectively execute design and production elements
• Serve as liaison between guest dance companies, department Chair, Technical Director, and staff when preparing for visiting productions presented by VCU Dance

Stage Management:

• Create a breakdown of the technical/production schedule in consultation with the Department Chair, Technical Director, and Faculty Concert Director
• Plan and create crew schedules, timetables, and crew lists
  
• Conduct sign-up days for student crews
• Provide direction and supervision to students in relation to crew calls and crew work
• Attend Friday Workshop Meetings on a regular basis to make announcements and organize crews for upcoming productions
• Serve as logistical and technical support for off-site departmental performances
• Provide leadership and mentorship in the areas of lighting design and technical theater
• Orient students to the lighting design process
• Provide supportive, informed leadership when collaborating with students on lighting design for their choreographic projects
• Uphold departmental policies, set and expect a positive, professional working environment for students, and mentor students who show a particular interest in technical theater
• Provide students with training on professional production procedures, as well as safe and effective use of production equipment.

Qualifications:

• Appropriate professional experience in technical theater and lighting design
• BFA or BA in a relevant field or the equivalent combination of education, professional training, and experience
• Knowledge of all procedures connected with the technical direction of dance and theatrical productions
• Demonstrated ability to design lights for dance, and knowledge of dance as an art form
• Interest and experience in working with students, running student crews, and training student crews
• Stage management skills
• Ability to create and execute technical production schedules
• Ability to set up, run, and maintain theater/video/sound/lighting equipment
• Experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment and a commitment to equity, diversity, and accessibility in teaching, leadership, and practice
• Strong collaboration skills and communication skills, and enthusiasm toward working with faculty, staff, and students within the university; and building and maintaining professional relationships
• Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends to align schedule with student performances

Position Details:

• This is a part-time hourly position. Health care, life insurance, retirement, and/or leave benefits are not provided with this position
• In order to comply with applicable federal and state laws and policies, part-time, non-benefited employees are not permitted to work more than twenty-nine (29) hours per week on average
  

Application Requirements

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity, and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. VCUarts strongly encourages applications from all racial, ethnic, gender, and social identities.

Only electronic applications will be accepted. The following documents should be submitted online via the VCU Jobs Website: 

• Letter of Interest that includes an overview of professional experience
• Resume/CV
• List of three references including names with titles and contact information (references will not be contacted prior to a candidate’s approval).

For more information about the Department of Dance and Choreography, please visit: https://arts.vcu.edu/academics/departments/dance-choreography/

VCUarts:

Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual, and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 180 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 70 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District.  Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care, and business.

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning, and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.

Salary Range: $21-$24/hour

Position Details:

Department: Dance and Choreography, School of the Arts
Employment Type: H1 - Hourly
Restricted Status: No
FTE: .70
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt