Production Manager

The American Shakespeare Center is seeking a Production Manager.

For purposes of clarity in this job description, the position shall be identified as “Production Manager” (PM); however, by doing so, ASC does not intend to embrace the traditional and hierarchical duties of this position. Instead, this position and its duties shall be defined as set forth in this job description.

The Production Manager is a management level position. The PM will have a dynamic and open partnership with ASC’s Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director to lead, manage and motivate the production staff, creative teams, and actors at ASC. The PM will be a co-equal and collaborative part of the American Shakespeare Center’s Management Group and will build upon and steward the legacy of the ASC to create a bold and innovative vision for its future. The PM will develop a highly motivated and collaborative production team, which includes all those in charge of the various areas of the production—associate artistic director, director, set designer, lighting designer, costume designer, musical director, choreographer, technical director, stage manager, intimacy director, etc.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following: 

  • Serves as Co-Leader with the Management Group
  • Reports to Artistic Director
  • The Production and Company Manager works with the Management Group, stage management, technical crew and designers to make sure the technical elements of a show are completed safely, on time and on budget. In addition, the Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all logistics regarding auditions as well as creating contracts for artistic personnel
  • Communicate regularly with all artistic personnel/management personnel
  • If applicable, Manage all aspects of set construction (build, load-in, load-out, over-hire personnel, etc.) and tech process
    Interact with SDC & IATSE and agents (as needed) to contract directors and designers
  • Coordinate with Actors’ Equity regarding: season approval, season close-out, EPAs, Requesting AEA/Equity contracts and EMC paperwork, and requesting concessions (as necessary)
  • Develop and manage ASC’s production calendar
  • Facilitate and maintain clear lines of communication with the production staff, creative teams, Associate Artistic Director and Artistic Director
  • Serve as a point of communication if there is a violation of ASC’s Community Agreements
  • Lead Production budgeting and financial accounting in collaboration with Artistic Dir, Assoc Art Dir, FinOps, and Mgt Gp
  • Design, schedule, manage, and participate in production meetings
  • Scheduling rehearsals and performances, if applicable
  • Oversee relationship with Mary Baldwin University, as applicable
  • Managing rehearsal venues
  • Recruit, select, train, manage, and evaluate production staff
  • Ensure Health and Safety oversight and certifications
  • Serve as backup production manager on shows not assigned
  • Act as ad-hoc supervisor to all production department personnel when necessary, authorizing scheduling changes as well as recommending disciplinary action
  • Step in to fulfill vital functions when the Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director is absent
    Maintain currency in theatrical production management trends and practice.
  • Serves as an ambassador and advocate of the overall vision of artistic director and director for each production

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

  • A passion for theatre
  • BA required preference MA/MFA in Theatre/Technical Production/ Communications or 5+ years experience as an Assistant Production Manager or Stage manager in a professional or collegiate theatre
  • Must have a working knowledge of all areas of production: lighting, sound, rigging, set construction, scenic, props, costuming, makeup, stage management for theater-including equipment used in all areas
  • Excellent management of people and finances
  • Excellent and effective communication style, both written and verbal
  • Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational and problem solving skills
  • Ability and desire to translate the creative needs and ambitions of artists and the ASC into actionable plans and help lead those plans within the constraints of the schedule and budget
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a small organization
  • Well organized and able to remain calm and clear-headed at all times
  • Works well to meet deadlines
  • An understanding of technical aspects of production
  • Can reliably commute day to day
  • Physical Demands and Work Environment
    • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
    • Ability to regularly walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, and reach in various positions to perform tasks
      Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
      Comfort with occasional work at height on ladders and personnel lifts (training provided)
Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.


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