POSITION: Assistant Lighting Director

DEPARTMENT: Lighting

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time Salary, Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Lighting Director

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre, and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to 40 American cities. Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them work year-round. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.

Rob Melrose, Artistic Director at the Alley, took over as artistic leader of the organization in 2019. His vision for the future of the Alley is both thrilling and ambitious. His strategic goals include upholding the Alleys artistic excellence, keeping longtime Alley Theatre devotees eager to return each season, and creating productions and cultivating new audiences that are as diverse and vibrant as the city of Houston.

Rob Melrose, Managing Director Dean Gladden and the Alleys leadership team are committed to promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of the Theatres programming and operations. We are conscious about fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic selves. We embrace differences and strive to be inclusive of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

JOB STATEMENT

Assisting in the leadership of the Lighting Team, the Assistant Lighting Director supports the Lighting Director in the management of the department through the execution of assigned tasks such as drafting, paperwork generation, inventory management, purchasing, payroll processing, pricing, and scheduling. The Assistant Lighting Director provides feedback and input on departmental policy as well as the hiring and evaluation of staff and represents the Lighting Director in the event of their absence.

Additionally, the Assistant Lighting Director serves as the Resident Assistant to Guest Lighting Designers. In this capacity, they provide tech table support as needed includingbut not limited totracking work and focus notes, executing any paperwork changes, instructing followspot operators, and ensuring that the design is well-documented. In this capacity, they are responsible for the final documentation package for each design.

JOB DUTIES

• Supports Guest Lighting Designers as needed during the technical rehearsal process on all productions.
• Maintains an ongoing list of work and focus notes according to departmental standard throughout the technical rehearsal process and ensures those notes are clearly articulated to the Electrics Supervisors and Lighting Director.
• Documents each production according to departmental standard and the needs of the Guest Lighting Designers includingbut not limited tomaking focus charts, cue lists, and followspot sheets.
• Accurately represents the capacity of the department when communicating with Guest Lighting Designers.
• Ensures that all drawings and paperwork accurately represent the show as installed and is responsible for the final archive documentation.
• Provides show running documentation to the Light Board Programmer and Operator.
• Assists the Lighting Director to advance shows as directed. Tasks vary based on the needs of the production calendar but can include attending meetings, evaluating design submissions, coordinating rentals, producing cost estimates, making show-specific purchases, drafting plots and schematics, and producing production paperwork.
• Facilitates the tech process by designing tech table layouts in coordination with the needs of the production and soliciting Cue Light placement from Stage Management.
• Assists the Lighting Director in tracking the inventory for in-house productions and external rentals.
• Assists in the overseeing of budgetary resources including making requested purchases, documenting purchases, and monitoring departmental spending and estimates to ensure compliance with the budget.
• Participates in the interview and hiring process for Lighting Department staff and overhire.
• Assists in the scheduling and payroll processing for Lighting Department staff and overhire.
• Provides feedback for Lighting Department employee evaluations.
• Assists in the development and documentation of departmental procedure and standards.
• Assists in the maintenance of departmental templates including venue drawings and paperwork templates.
• Represents the Lighting Director when they are unavailable and keeps the Lighting Director apprised of any information that develops during their absence.
• Assists in keeping the order and cleanliness of all departmental workspaces.
• Performs all work with a high attention to detail to the standards of the department as outlined by the Lighting Director.
• Participates in company and departmental meetings as fully as they are able for the betterment of the Lighting Department and the Alley Theatre at-large.
• Represents the theatres technical resources as required by the Production Manager for theatre programs includingbut not limited toadditional performances, special events, educational and community outreach programs, building rentals and other non-Alley building functions.
• Acts in concert with the theatres safety policies, including the fall protection and hardhat policies.

• Additional duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists in the development and documentation of departmental standards and procedures.
• Provides feedback to the Lighting Director in support of the employee evaluation process.
• Participates in the interview and selection process for new staff members and overhire in collaboration with the Lighting Director.
• Demonstrates best practices.

REQUIREMENTS (SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE):

• Knowledge of safe working practices around electricity.
• Knowledge of operating and maintaining lighting equipment including intelligent equipment.
• Knowledge of electrical and rigging math.
• Ability to produce lighting paperwork and other theatrical documentation to industry standards and the standards of the department.
• Advanced Skill with Vectorworks, Lightwright, and the Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel and Access).
• Skill and experience as an Assistant Lighting Designer.
• Ability to operate an ETC Eos Family console.
• Commitment to safe working practices.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Willingness to learn.
• Ability to manage multiple short-term and long-term projects simultaneously.
• Ability to collaborate with and support co-workers as a team.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, energized and quickly changing environment.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making skills.
• Detail oriented, able to prioritize efficiently and multi-task.
• Ability to be self-directed and take initiative.
• Exhibits a positive attitude with good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of historical and institutional racism in the American theatre, or a commitment to learning, and to be a part of Alley Theatres efforts to be an anti-racist organization.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds alone or with the aid of a team.
• Ability to work at heights of up to 70 feet.
• Ability to wear and safely use a fall arrest harness.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time up to 6 hours with short breaks.
• Work includes prolonged periods of standing, ladder work and work on MEWPs (Personnel Lifts).
• Work includes climbing and crawling in cramped and otherwise limiting job sites required.
• Hours vary with the production calendar and show assignments. Work shifts include afternoon and evening hours, weekend hours, and overtime.

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Paid vacation, floating holiday and sick time.
• 401(k) with matching, FSA, HRA (Alley paid deductible).
• Free and discounted tickets to Alley Theatre performances.
• Free parking.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Employee wellness program & EAP
• Houston, TX is one of the most affordable cities in the nation with no state or city income tax

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please go to the following link on the Alleys website and apply.

https://www.alleytheatre.org/about-us/opportunities/employment

Alley Theatre is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].

The Alley Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, veterans, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. Successful candidates will commit to an equitable and inclusive workplace, including but not limited to: racial equity, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, use of gender inclusive language, and cultural sensitivity. Read more at Alley Theatre Official Website - Equity Diversity Inclusion