Theatre and AV Technician

PRODUCTION AND EVENT SUPPORT

• Work collaboratively with the Artistic Operations and Production Manager, artistic teams and other departments to support the technical delivery of production activity across the School
• Attend production meetings, technical rehearsals and performances, contributing relevant technical information and input as required
• Support the planning and preparation of performances and production events, including technical specifications for recording, streaming, media playback and digital production requirements
• Provide technical information for external performances, liaising with production teams and venues to coordinate requirements
• Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across the School
• Work with freelancers and external technical support providers to coordinate additional technical resources where required
• Carry out other reasonable duties consistent with the scope and level of the role.

AUDIO VISUAL (AV) DUTIES

• Record and archive all School in-house performances to an agreed standard and format
• Assist with filming, editing and preparation of performance footage for artistic, academic and archival purposes
• Maintain the School’s AV media archive, ensuring footage is accurately labelled, stored and retrievable
• Support students and staff with video recording requirements, including rehearsals, assessments and audition submissions
• Manage digital media workflows, including file transfer, storage, backup, metadata tagging and archive retrieval processes
• Support livestream and hybrid event delivery, including camera operation, video switching, audio integration and streaming platform configuration
• Work with relevant colleagues, including the content team where appropriate, to support the effective use of performance media.

HEALTH & SAFETY, EQUIPMENT & TECHNICAL SYSTEMS

• Take personal responsibility for the safety of self and others, complying with and promoting safe working practices within studios and performance spaces
• Undertake Health & Safety and other relevant training as required
• Maintain clean, organised and safe working environments across performance and technical spaces
• Contribute to risk assessments and safe working procedures for theatre and event activities
• Report near misses, incidents and accidents in line with School procedures
• Maintain an accurate inventory of technical equipment and materials, ensuring items are stored safely and are accessible
• Undertake routine maintenance, testing and basic troubleshooting of technical equipment, ensuring it is safe, functional and performance-ready
• Advise the Artistic Operations and Production Manager on equipment condition, maintenance, lifecycle planning and potential upgrades
• Work collaboratively with the IT & Digital Department where production technology interacts with School systems, including Windows and macOS devices, network-connected AV systems, software licensing, storage infrastructure, cybersecurity requirements and technical standards.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience working in technical theatre within a producing organisation or venue, with a strong understanding of live production processes from technical preparation through to performance delivery
• Relevant qualification or equivalent practical experience in technical theatre, production or a related field
• Experience supporting the technical delivery of performances, rehearsals and events, including liaising with internal and external production teams and venues
• Proven practical skills in lighting, sound and stage operations, including the ability to operate digital lighting and sound systems (e.g. ETC consoles and digital mixing desks), with working knowledge of audio networking and support for live performance
• Experience using specialist production and AV software including QLab, OBS Studio, Adobe Creative Cloud applications (Premiere Pro, After Effects and Audition), and video editing platforms to support playback, recording, streaming and content creation
• Experience supporting AV activity, including filming, editing and managing digital media and archives
• Experience administering or supporting networked AV systems and audio-over-IP environments
• Ability to maintain high production standards, with strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise workload and respond to changing operational demands
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical users, including staff and students
• Ability to work independently using initiative, while contributing effectively as part of a team
• Commitment to safe working practices, including experience of manual handling and working at height
• Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends as required
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
• Empathy with the aims and ethos of the School.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working in dance, ballet or a similar performance environment
• Experience working in theatre within a school, college, university or conservatoire setting
• Experience contributing to health and safety processes, risk assessments and safe working procedures
• Relevant training in working at height, manual handling and/or electrical safety
• Experience supporting and advising young people in technical theatre and production.

This job information cannot be all encompassing. It is inevitable over time that the emphasis of the job will change without changing the general character of the job or the level of duties and responsibilities entailed. Consequently, this information will be periodically reviewed, revised and updated in consultation with the post holder to reflect appropriate changes.

We are committed to creating an environment where all our employees feel part of our team and can flourish, regardless of their background. We’re proud to be an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity.