Director of Production

Department

AI Court Admin and Operations

About the Department

Now in its 70th season, Court Theatre is the professional (LORTD) theater in residence at the University of Chicago and on Chicago’s historic South Side. Court engages audiences with intimate and provocative experiences that inspire deeper exploration of the enduring questions that confront humanity and connect us as people.

Job Summary

The Director of Production holds primary responsibility for the technical planning and implementation of all Court Theatre productions in a timely and budget-conscious manner, with an emphasis on facilitating clear communication among production staff, creative teams, and other Court Theatre and University of Chicago departments. The role supervises the Production department and the work of freelancers engaged throughout the season. The Director of Production shares the responsibility of facilitating the creative process from assembling creative teams through opening night with a focus on balancing artistic process with final product, and creative ambition with long-term resource management. As a member of the senior staff, this role engages with long-term planning and strategy for the organization with a primary responsibility for logistical, financial, and technical feasibility of artistic goals, and creative/technician team engagement strategies.

Court Theatre is a LORT-D Theatre producing 4-5 mainstage shows per season, plus additional Community Engagement and developmental projects. Employees of Court Theatre are employees of the University of Chicago, receive the benefits of staff employees, and are subject to all University employment policies.

Responsibilities

• Assembles creative teams with Directors and producing team, focusing on Designers and Assistant Designers. Manages recruitment, offers, contracts, and relationships with designers and agents.
• Schedules, budgets, and coordinates the design and production process, ensuring all teams have the necessary information and meets deadlines and budget constraints.
• Oversees production timelines for rehearsals, builds, load-ins, tech, and performances; allocates stage time as needed for artistic and technical requirements.
• Leads production meetings and ensures the maintenance and artistic/technical quality of productions post-opening.
• Recruits, hires, manages and advises six staff direct reports, Heads of Scenery, Costumes, Props, Lighting, Sound and Video, and Associate Production Manager, with varied work locations and schedules. Invests in staff training for retention and skill development.
• Recruits, engages and manages seasonal stage management staff. Works closely with stage managers in advance of the production period and throughout the rehearsal and performances.
• Promotes an inclusive, respectful and compassionate working environment that prioritizes the Court Theatre and University of Chicago’s values.
• Develops and oversees department and show budgets, approx. $1.4M annually; monitors projections and spending; and ensures compliance with organizational financial policies.
• Collaborates on season calendars, production schedules, and long-range plans for system/equipment upgrades. Participates in season planning and capital projects.
• Ensures compliance with HR policies, union rules (USA, AEA), and industry standards, including labor, scheduling, and health and safety protocols. Liaise with unions and ensure safety resources and training are available.
• Creates plans to develop all scenic, costume, lighting, sound, properties, and special effects elements. Monitors the production staff and other supervisors in order to keep track of upkeep of shop materials and inventory of tools, equipment and instruments.
• Manages communications with designers and other vendors, ensuring travel arrangements are made as appropriate. Responsible for the maintenance of production and space usage calendars.
• Prepares and maintains up-to-date pay schedules for all designers, stage managers, run-crew members, and any other bi-weekly seasonal employees. Responsible for hiring and managing all designers and stage managers, production staff.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Experience:

• Broad-based knowledge of theatrical production process and elements.
• Background in regional theatre and theatrical production management.
• Managing full-time and/or overhire employees.
• Managing a financially complex department.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of artists’ union agreements (AEA, SDC, and USA).
• Computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Google software suite, and Zoom.
• Learn new software tools and systems.

Preferred Competencies

• A leader who sets a positive tone for the work environment and demonstrates a strong spirit of collaboration, creativity, and respect.
• Comprehensive understanding of theatrical processes.
• Organize and communicate information clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent social and collaborative skills with an emphasis on building and maintaining meaningful and reciprocal relationships with a wide variety of artists and technicians.
• Effectively coach team members toward personal and professional growth.
• Understand and design both the strategy and operational aspects of a project.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and to navigate shifting and competing priorities with patience and diplomacy.
• Enthusiasm for working in a collaborative artistic environment.
• Extensive budgeting acumen and balance priorities as part of budgeting process 

Working Conditions

• Access all technical spaces at Court Theatre and Production Center.
• Use of a computer.
• Extended periods of stationary work and movement through the work space.
• Work in dusty, noisy, and low-light environments.
• Evening and weekend work as the rehearsal schedule requires.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)
• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

Job Family

Museum & Arts

Role Impact

People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$75,000.00 - $85,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.