Assistant Technical Director

Description

ABOUT THE POSITION

Reporting to the Director of Production & Facilities, the Assistant Technical Director (ATD) works to support the realization of Crow’s Productions with an emphasis on set construction, building & installation, and AUTOCAD drafting for Set & Construction drawings.  They will manage aspects of the designs & build, in conjunction with and assigned by the Technical Director (TD), and Production Manager (PM), from pre-production to load out. This includes providing theatre drawings and inventories to designers, checking their preliminary and follow-up paperwork for viability, cross-referencing for conflicts, and managing the show’s needs during rehearsals, tech, previews, run, and load-out, while supporting the day to day operation in the Production Department.

This is a supervisory position. The role of an ATD is to assist the TD to facilitate smooth running of the project. Additionally, they need to function as the Technical Director in their absence and should be able to lead the team with equal efficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Drafting & Documentation:

• Liase with designers to produce or revise technical drawings for scenic builds, rigging, and mechanical elements.
• Maintain updated ground plans and section views for each production.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of production bibles and archival documentation.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of facility drawings and plans as requested.

Shop & Load-In Supervision

• Oversee safe and efficient construction, load-in, and strike processes.
• Lead on-the-ground coordination of scene shop staff, over-hire crews, and casual technicians.
• Provide hands-on support during complex installations, automation setup, or specialty builds.
• Coordinate transportation and logistics of scenic units, especially for offsite storage or touring.

Run Support & Troubleshooting

• Support ongoing show needs, including scenic maintenance, backstage access, and changeover schedules.
• Troubleshoot technical issues with minimal disruption to performances.
• Assist with understudy rehearsals or special events requiring technical adjustments.

Budgeting & Purchasing Support:

• Track labour estimates, material usage, and expenses across multiple shows and timely report to Production Manager.
• Assist in value-engineering scenic elements to stay within budget without sacrificing design integrity.
• Maintain vendor relationships and negotiate pricing on hardware, lumber, and equipment rentals.

Production Support & Coordination:

• Assist the Technical Director (TD) in overseeing all production elements from design integration to post-show evaluation.
• Track deadlines for technical milestones (drawings, approvals, budgets, crew calls) as assigned.
• Maintain clear lines of communication between creative teams and production departments.
• Help anticipate and resolve technical challenges before they impact schedules or budgets.

Venue Infrastructure & Equipment Maintenance

• Conduct regular checks on venue systems (fly systems, grid & catwalk, rigging, counterweights, automation, etc.).
• Support TD in long-range maintenance planning for technical equipment and infrastructure.
• Coordinate inspections, servicing, and repairs of tools and theatrical systems.

Health & Safety Leadership

• Maintain safe working practices in the shop backstage, the warehouse and onstage, with proper PPE and training.
• Lead safety briefings, enforce lock-out/tag-out procedures, and document incidents or near-misses.
• Ensure compliance with provincial/municipal safety codes and union agreements.

Communication & Team Collaboration

• In collaboration with the TD and PM, facilitate collaboration between departments during technical rehearsals and previews.
• Track and respond to daily show reports from stage management and act when appropriate
• When asked, serve as point of contact for external partners (touring companies, co-producers, rental clients, etc.).

Mentorship, Training & Culture

• Train apprentices, technical interns, and junior staff in safe tool usage and technical procedures.
• Foster a positive, respectful, and inclusive work environment backstage and in the shop.
• Contribute to professional development of junior staff by offering feedback and support.

Special Projects & Company Support

• Participate in season planning, feasibility assessments, and technical budgeting.
• Support special events, fundraisers, and rentals with technical expertise.
• Occasionally support projection/video integration, live events, or unconventional performances in non-traditional spaces.