Encore A–Z

Technical Director

7 min read

Technical Director

At a Glance

  • You own the technical execution. Sets, lights, sound, rigging, crew, safety.
  • You partner with — not replace — the Production Manager. See PM and TD Collaboration for how responsibilities divide.
  • Your closest partners: Production Manager, Stage Manager, the design team.
  • Heaviest involvement: Pre-Tech, Tech, Strike.

Position Overview

The Technical Director (TD) serves as Encore’s resident technical expert, overseeing all technical aspects of productions including lighting, sound, set construction and carpentry, equipment maintenance, and technical crew coordination. This position balances professional technical excellence with Encore’s educational mission, mentoring young artists while maintaining the highest safety and production standards.

The TD works in close collaboration with the Production Manager and Stage Manager to ensure seamless technical execution from load-in through strike. See PM and TD Collaboration for how these three roles divide responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Operations & Equipment Management

  • Oversee and maintain all technical assets including lighting, sound, rigging, and stage equipment.
  • Assess technical needs for each production and develop solutions within budget parameters.
  • Recommend equipment rentals or capital purchases to the Production Manager.
  • Perform routine preventative maintenance and coordinate repairs.
  • Maintain comprehensive inventory of technical supplies and equipment.
  • Ensure all equipment meets safety standards and compliance requirements.

Set Design & Construction

  • Translate scenic designer’s plans into buildable technical drawings and construction documents.
  • Supervise construction of all scenic elements including sets, platforms, and specialty pieces.
  • Coordinate carpentry work, ensuring structural integrity and safety.
  • Manage scene shop operations, tools, and materials.
  • Collaborate with the Production Manager on load-in, installation, and strike of all scenic elements.

Lighting & Sound Systems

  • Design, set up, and operate lighting systems for productions in collaboration with designers.
  • Manage sound equipment setup, operation, and maintenance.
  • Program and troubleshoot computerized lighting and sound systems.
  • Ensure proper hanging, focusing, and circuit management of lighting instruments.
  • Train and supervise board operators and technical crew.

Crew Leadership & Supervision

  • Directly supervise technical crew including lighting, sound, and backstage crew.
  • Train crew members in proper equipment use and technical procedures.
  • Coordinate crew assignments and schedules with the Stage Manager.
  • Ensure professional standards and efficient technical operations.

Educational Mission & Youth Development

  • Mentor and train student technical crew members in proper equipment use and safety.
  • Develop technical skills in young artists appropriate to their experience level.
  • Create learning opportunities within the technical process.
  • Foster a supportive, professional environment that develops confidence and competence.
  • Involve students in design decisions appropriate to their skill level.

Safety & Compliance

  • Collaborate with the Production Manager on safety walk-throughs and protocols.
  • Establish and enforce safety protocols for all technical operations.
  • Train students and crew on proper safety procedures and equipment use.
  • Ensure all work areas meet OSHA and fire safety requirements.
  • Conduct safety orientations for all technical crew members.

Qualifications

Essential

  • Minimum 3–5 years of experience in technical theater operations.
  • Strong working knowledge of lighting, sound, carpentry, rigging, and stage machinery.
  • Experience reading and creating technical drawings and construction documents.
  • Proven ability to work safely with power tools, ladders, lifts, and from heights.
  • Physical ability to lift 50+ lbs and work long hours on feet during tech weeks.
  • Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
  • Excellent communication and organizational abilities.
  • Understanding of and ability to work within production budgets.
  • Experience supervising and training technical crew members.

Preferred

  • Experience with youth theater or educational theater programs.
  • Knowledge of industry-standard software (AutoCAD, Vectorworks, QLab, ETC lighting consoles, etc.).
  • Certifications in rigging, electrical, or specialized technical areas.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Technical Theater, Theatrical Design, or related field.
  • Experience as a master carpenter or in a technical leadership role.

Personal Qualities

  • Leadership — strong crew management capabilities; calm, decisive presence under tech pressure.
  • Patience — enthusiasm for teaching technical skills to students at varying experience levels.
  • Balance — holds professional standards while honoring educational objectives.
  • Collaboration — works in partnership with the Production Manager and Stage Manager, not in parallel.
  • Mission Alignment — aligned with Encore’s Ten Commandments and cultural values.

Working Conditions

  • Commitment: Year-round role spanning multiple productions.
  • Schedule: Irregular hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays during production periods. Intensive during tech weeks. Office hours between productions for planning, maintenance, and meetings.
  • Environment: Shop and theater environments. Exposure to power tools, paint fumes, and construction materials. Work from heights using ladders, lifts, and catwalks.
  • Reports to: Executive Director / Production Manager (operationally during productions).
  • Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Success Measures

  • Sets built on schedule, on budget, and to safety spec.
  • Tech that integrates cleanly — lights, sound, sets, transitions running reliably.
  • A safe shop and theater with no preventable incidents.
  • A trained, capable technical crew (including young artists) who grow over the season.
  • Equipment well-maintained and inventoried between productions.

By Phase

Inception

Welcome to the Encore fam! Be sure to complete your onboarding items below — we look forward to building an incredible show that builds life skills through stage skills for young artists.

Onboarding (one-time when a new TD joins Encore)

  • Complete child safety training.
  • Submit background check.
  • Submit W-9.
  • Sign and return contract.
  • Complete onboarding process.

Initial Production Work

  • Review the script and production concept for technical feasibility.
  • Begin assessing equipment and facility needs.
  • Provide initial input on technical requirements and budget considerations.
  • Participate in early planning discussions.
  • Attend the onboarding meeting with the full production team.

See 1 - Inception for the phase overview.

Pre-Production

  • Attend production meetings to discuss technical vision and requirements.
  • Work with designers to assess technical feasibility of design concepts.
  • Provide input on construction methods and technical requirements.
  • Coordinate equipment needs with designers.
  • Begin detailed planning for set construction and technical implementation.
  • Advise on technical budget considerations.
  • Coordinate with the Production Manager on the technical budget and designer selection where appropriate.

See 2 - Pre-Production for the phase overview.

Casting

Light involvement in casting. Monitor for any cast composition or staging implications that might change technical needs (e.g., a much larger ensemble than planned).

See 3 - Casting for the phase overview.

Rehearsals

  • Begin set construction based on finalized designs.
  • Prepare technical equipment and inventory.
  • Train technical crew members.
  • Attend production meetings.
  • Coordinate with designers on technical implementation.

See 4 - Rehearsals for the phase overview.

Pre-Tech

  • Supervise load-in.
  • Build and install the set.
  • Test set movement and functionality.
  • Implement safety measures.
  • Prepare spike marks for set placement.
  • Manage technical equipment setup and testing.
  • Lead Dry Tech.
  • Train and coordinate the technical crew.
  • Conduct safety walk-through of the theatre with the Production Manager (and Stage Manager as appropriate).

See 5 - Pre-Tech for the phase overview.

Technical Rehearsals

  • Supervise all technical crew operations.
  • Manage technical equipment and troubleshooting.
  • Coordinate backstage choreography and set changes with the Stage Manager.
  • Oversee safety protocols during tech.
  • Train and supervise board operators.
  • Attend production meetings.

See 6 - Technical Rehearsals for the phase overview.

Performance

  • Supervise technical crew during performances.
  • Manage technical equipment and troubleshooting.
  • Maintain equipment and set integrity throughout the run.
  • Coordinate with the Stage Manager on technical issues.

See 7 - Performance for the phase overview.

Post-Production

  • Lead the technical strike.
  • Supervise crew in dismantling the set and equipment.
  • Return rented technical equipment.
  • Restore the venue to its original condition.
  • Inventory and store reusable materials.
  • Complete technical equipment documentation.

See 8 - Post-Production for the phase overview.

Status: Working · Portal: Team · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett

Graph View

Backlinks