Job Overview
Average of 30 hours per week annualised over 52 weeks (0.8FTE) per year predominantly evening and weekends.
Salary: Starting salary is £22,500 up to £26,000 FTE per annum, dependent on skills, knowledge and experience. Overtime and opportunities for additional earning (where appropriate) considered.
The Cheltenham Playhouse is seeking a Venue Technician to work within its Technical Department. We are a small team which provides technical support, advice and services to both the professional and amateur theatre and arts scene of Cheltenham.
This role provides a unique opportunity to get hands-on across all areas of technical stage craft, from lighting to set building, as well as points of contact in building maintenance and management.The position is paid and suitable for both experienced professionals and aspiring technicians eager to develop their skills within a creative setting.
The Cheltenham Playhouse has been around since 1945 and is one of only a handful of UK theatre buildings converted from a grade 2 listed swimming pool. The 180 seat auditorium shows live theatre, comedy, live music, external school and Am-Dram productions. With industry standard equipment and plenty of opportunity to experiment, we feel this role is as much a creative one as it is practical.
This role offers an engaging environment where creativity meets technical expertise, providing valuable experience in the arts sector for passionate individuals eager to grow their career as a Theatre Technician.
Duties
- Provide technical support for visiting productions, rehearsals and creative projects, with a focus on sound and lighting.
- Act as the primary technician for productions, operating and programming lighting (ETC) and sound systems (Behringer X32).
- Prepare, rig, programme and operate technical equipment for performances and events.
- Supervise get-ins, get-outs, rehearsals and performances as the Duty Technician, ensuring safe and efficient working practices.
- Support visiting companies by sharing technical knowledge, advice and practical assistance where required.
- Liaise with artists, visiting companies and venue users, providing excellent customer service and answering technical and health and safety queries.
- Assist the Technical Lead in the day-to-day operation, maintenance and development of the venue's technical facilities.
- Carry out routine maintenance of technical equipment, including PAT testing, fault finding and reporting issues to the Technical Lead.
- Support the maintenance, upkeep and redecoration of the venue and its facilities.
- Complete routine venue safety checks, including fire exits, RCD testing and other compliance inspections.
- Ensure the stage, auditorium, dressing rooms, workshops, rehearsal rooms, storage areas and other technical spaces remain clean, organised and safe.
- Help develop and improve the venue's technical resources and hire spaces to maintain a high-quality offer for users.
- Maintain high standards of health and safety, identifying and reporting risks or maintenance concerns.
- Supervise, support and mentor technical volunteers, adapting your approach to a range of experience levels.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to support performances, events and wider venue activities.
- Contribute ideas and feedback to improve technical operations, venue facilities and customer experience.
RequirementsEssential
Qualifications
- Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain).
- First Aid at Work qualification (or willingness to undertake training).
- IOSH Working Safely qualification (or willingness to undertake training).
Experience
- At least one year's experience working or training in technical theatre.
- Experience in theatre lighting, including rigging, programming and operation.
- Experience in live sound engineering and operation.
- Experience supervising technical operations during live events.
- Experience working safely at get-ins, get-outs and production changeovers.
Knowledge and Skills
- Good working knowledge of theatre lighting, sound and stage systems.
- Experience with ETC lighting control systems (or similar).
- Experience with Behringer X32 digital mixing consoles.
- Experience using QLab for playback (desirable).
- Ability to troubleshoot technical faults and identify practical solutions.
- Understanding of venue health and safety, fire safety and safe working practices.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload.
- Strong communication and customer service skills.
- Ability to work independently using your own initiative as well as collaboratively within a small team.
- Experience supporting or supervising volunteers is desirable.
- Ability to build positive working relationships with artists, visiting companies, volunteers and colleagues.
- Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities when working in a community venue with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- Genuine enthusiasm for theatre, live events and supporting the local arts community.
Personal Attributes
- Reliable, proactive and self-motivated.
- Calm under pressure with a practical, solutions-focused approach.
- Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to support a wide variety of technical and venue operations.
- Friendly, approachable and committed to delivering excellent customer experiences.
- Passionate about learning new skills and contributing to the continued development of the venue.
Pay: £22,500.00-£26,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
