Stage manager

Stage manager

1. PRIME OBJECTIVES

1. To plan, oversee and carry out the technical preparation of the Theatre and associated venues for shows and events under the direction of the Technical Manager and in conjunction with the Chief Electrician.

2. To provide clear and effective advice and leadership for all in-house and visiting technicians working in the Theatre.

3. To provide a full and professional stage management service to the Theatre, associated venues and theatre users.

4. To be responsible for the operation of all aspects of the theatre’s technical equipment for and during performances as required.

5. To deputise for the Chief Electrician and/or the Technical Manager in their absence.

2. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• Full time technicians (up to 4 staff, Scale 1)
• Casual technicians and stage door keeper (up to 10 staff, Scale 1)
• Work placements including young people and on occasion people with learning disabilities
• Members of visiting companies, hirers, Artistes and other users of the building – between 10-20 people, and occasionally staff from countries where English is not a first language.

3. SUPERVISION RECEIVED

1. The post holder is directly responsible to the Technical Manager.

2. The post holder is expected to demonstrate considerable initiative in carrying out their role and duties and will be responsible for organising their own working patterns throughout the year, subject to approval by the Technical Manager, in order to effectively meet the requirements of the post.

It should be noted that evening, weekend and Bank Holiday work are a
significant feature of this post.

4. RANGE OF DECISION MAKING

1. Day to day decisions will be required regarding all aspects of the backstage area to ensure that all users and employees of the building work in a clean, well-maintained, secure and healthy environment.

2. You will be expected to contribute to the decision making process affecting to the mid to long term strategic planning for the Technical Department.

3. Decisions will be required as to the safe, effective and efficient implementation and removal of technical equipment (including lighting, sound and scenery) into and out of the Theatre and associated venues under the direction of the Technical Manager.

4. Decisions will need to be made in conjunction with other members of staff (notably the Chief Electrician), visiting companies, hirers and users of the building.

5. Decisions may sometimes need to be made under considerable pressure.

5. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSETS

1. All backstage equipment, plant, fixtures and fittings both temporary and permanent in conjunction with the Chief Electrician.

6. RANGE OF DUTIES

The duties require constant irregular hours including weekends, evenings, bank and local holidays.

To provide a professional stage management service to all areas of the theatre in preparing for performances and events.

Planning for and preparing the theatre to the specifications of visiting companies. To include the safe and efficient rigging and operation of a wide range of technical equipment, scenery, pyrotechnics and special effects for and during performances.

To provide effective and clear leadership for all technical staff.

In conjunction with the Chief Electrician to plan and carry out the recruitment, development and training of technical staff to ensure that the needs of the Technical department are met.

To maintain a good working knowledge of all relevant Health and Safety legislation and good practice in relation to all areas of the post holders areas of responsibility including but not restricted to the following:

Risk Assessment
Manual handling
Care of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWER)
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)
Electricity at Work (EAW)
Portable appliance testing

To ensure that good working practices are developed, encouraged, implemented and adhered to with regard to current Health and Safety legislation and Codes of Practice.

To ensure that the backstage areas of the theatre are maintained in a safe, clean and orderly fashion.

To observe and help enforce the Theatre House Rules.

To help to maintain the theatre’s technical equipment in good working order under the direction of the Technical Manager, and to ensure that appropriate records are kept demonstrating compliance with regulations required by licensing and other organisations. For example regarding licensing of radio microphones, lifting equipment and building maintenance logs.

To become and remain fully conversant with the theatre’s emergency and evacuation procedures and the use and location of associated equipment including fire fighting equipment and the fire alarm system.

To undertake training as required and to instruct others in the use of technical equipment typically used in operations associated with the post for example, use of the flying system, rigging and lifting operations, access equipment and the manual handling of a wide range of unusual loads and the set up and use of pyrotechnic effects.

To be in attendance for public performances/events as required by the Theatre Licence/Entertainment’s Licence or Technical Manager.

To be jointly responsible for helping to maintain an acceptable level of security in the theatre.

To deputise for the Technical Manager and/or Chief Electrician in their absence.

To identify, plan and carry out maintenance in other areas of the theatre within the postholder’s abilities.

To contribute towards the generation and maintenance of a welcoming, friendly and supportive working environment for both theatre staff and visiting companies.

To contribute to the effective administration of the technical department
by completing necessary reports and paperwork, including production accounts, as required by the Theatre’s management.

To conduct Personal Staff Appraisals for technical staff in line with policy.

To help to manage and control Technical Department budgets relating to casual staff and technical equipment and facilities.

To undertake any other duties as are reasonably requested by the theatre management.

To contribute to the Directorates approach to Investors in People, by complying with the requirements of the Directorates Training and Development Policy.

To contribute to the development of positive links with and between the local communities wherever possible.

To carry out duties in accordance with our equality and diversity policies and practice in terms of employment and service delivery to ensure that colleagues and service users are treated in a fair and consistent manner and that services are delivered with sensitivity to the needs of the service users.

To carry out all responsibilities with due regard to health and safety legislation and relevant policies.

To ensure that our Child Protection Policy is adhered to, ensuring the safeguard of children and vulnerable adults in your care.

EDUCATION

A good general standard of education including English and Maths.

Relevant professional qualifications or training would be desirable.
E.g. Association of British Theatre Technicians Bronze, Silver or Gold
Awards; an appropriate course of study; any other industry
training provided by established practitioners or training agencies
relevant to the post.

EXPERIENCE

It is essential that the post holder has knowledge and experience of at least the following areas:

At least three years working in professional theatre or similar environment at least one year of which must have been in a management role.

Safe rigging practices, including but not restricted to rigging and use of motor hoists, manual chain hoists, knot tying, rigging luminaries, use of slings and shackles.

Safe and efficient use and maintenance of hemp and counterweight flying systems.

Rigging and safe use of a wide range of lighting equipment commonly used in Theatre.

Scale plan reading and drawing.

Rigging and use of sound systems and associated equipment in a theatre environment.

Working as part of a multi-tasking team.

Computer literacy.

It would be desirable for the post holder to have one or more of the following:

A full clean driving licence.

Carpentry/joinery skills.

Metal working skills.

Experience of touring and/or in-house production.

The post holder may be required to obtain a First Aid Certificate for which
training will be supplied if necessary.

CIRCUMSTANCES

The post involves regular evening, weekend and Bank Holiday work for which provision has been made within the salary level.

No overtime or enhancements are payable, with the exception of get-out payments as detailed in the BECTU/TMA agreement.

The post requires constant flexible and late working hours geared around the events programme of the Theatre.

Ability and willingness to respond to alarm and emergency call outs.