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Job Description / Duties

We are looking for a reliable, enthusiastic and curious technician to help us navigate our continuing mobile operations, while supporting and eventually taking responsibility for the rebuilt Playhouse building. This is a contract position with variable hours, (based largely around programming in evenings and weekends), with some regular hours devoted to preparations, meetings, consultation and maintenance. This position allows for a good deal of flexibility, allowing outside employment in other areas (including, for example, the many film and television productions taking place in the area).

This role has previously functioned as both technical director and lighting tech, who worked in collaboration with an outside sound technician; we would eagerly maintain this model, if appropriate, but are open to other models, based on the skills of the candidate in this position.

Our ideal candidate is:
-Well-versed and confident in all areas of technical theatre, ideally with expertise in lighting/projection and sound.
-Professional, reliable, and able to communicate clearly, calmly, and kindly to artists, staff, volunteers, and the public.
-Able to secure reliable transportation.
-Able to work long hours, both independently and as part of a team.
-Capable of leading a team, guiding volunteers and students of technical theatre.
-Able to manage some heavy lifting & transport (with help and creative solutions)
-Committed to excellence, and willing to “go the extra mile”.
-Committed to maintaining safety standards in all areas, for their team, for our patrons, and for themselves.

Qualifications / Required Skills

Responsibilities include:
-Serving as an ambassador of the Chester Playhouse at all times, ensuring artists and audiences are comfortable, supported and nurtured, in an atmosphere free of harassment and bigotry, and that actively works towards anti-racism and decolonisation.
-With the Executive Director, assessing the suitability of venues, analyzing artist technical requirements, devising creative solutions, and implementing them for performances. These include music performances (sound & lights), movie showings (sound & projection), theatre (sound, lights, aiding install and management of hard assets), and other similar events.
-Advising the Executive Director on required and beneficial purchases to support programming.
-Serving as house tech when possible, and finding suitable personnel when not.
-Creating and running lighting for live performances, sometimes with minimal instruments and prep time.
-Regular staff meetings
-Regular consultation with the Executive Director and Playhouse Rebuild team, providing valuable insight into current and standard practices in live performance presentation.
-Once rebuilt, overseeing maintenance and operations in the Playhouse venue.
-Maintaining a safe and organized work environment at all times.
-Maintaining a well-stocked inventory of technical assets, and managing ordering/replacing as needed.
-Working efficiently and constructively with builders, contractors and the Rebuild team, to facilitate the Rebuild process.
-Remaining conscious and informed on fire and safety procedures, and ensuring they are followed at all times.

The following skills would be an asset:
-Knowledge around Electrical Distribution, Data Networking, Communications System for theatre shows, Video Projection and Live Video Streaming
-In particular, ability to setup and operate a lighting board using DMX lighting protocol
-When in theatre (Summer 2023), working at heights training and certification.
-A broad knowledge base (basic carpentry, painting, electrical, plumbing).
-IT knowledge, and fluent computer skills.
-Comfort with email, Google Suite, Microsoft Office suite, etc.
-Simple budgeting.
-Knowledge of the Municipality of Chester, and the South Shore.
-Knowledge of, and connection to, the local arts scene.
-A passion for live performance and the arts in general.

Additional Information

This important position will be compensated at an hourly rate of $30/hr. For mobile events outside the village, gas mileage and other relevant supports will be reimbursed. We expect hours to grow over the coming year.

We ask all interested applicants to reach out by August 26th, but we will consider applications until this position has been filled.

Selected candidates will be contacted for an interview (either in person or online, as comfort allows). We are unfortunately unable to interview every candidate.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Chester Playhouse, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. The Chester Playhouse is eager to provide opportunities to applicants from all backgrounds, and is eager to accommodate the right person who brings a unique viewpoint to our organization. We encourage all interested parties to reach out if they are interested, to discuss how we can best accommodate your application.

Salary: $30/hr variable hours, increasing

Contact Information

We ask interested parties to please send the following to Executive Director Andrew Chandler (he/him) at andrew@chesterplayhouse.ca, or to call (902) 275-3933 ext. 2 to discuss. Please include:

- A brief cover letter introducing yourself and your skills.
- A CV detailing your relevant experience.

Employer Profile

The Chester Playhouse presents music, theatre, movies, community events, youth programming and training, and more, with a base of operations in the village of Chester, along Nova Scotia’s beautiful South Shore. The Playhouse building was built in 1939, and has hosted artistic activities since that time, bringing the community together to experience the magic of live entertainment.

This is a unique time for the Playhouse. At the end of an extensive restoration project which took place through 2020-2021, the Playhouse was damaged in a fire in June 2021. Our programming was quickly re-imagined to host events outside and in venues around our municipality. We are continuing this “Playhouse Without Walls” program, while we work to rebuild our beloved venue (estimated completion Summer 2023).