The Director of Production provides strategic and operational leadership for all theatrical and performance-based productions in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. This includes a large number of productions in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film (85%) and key productions in the Glenn Korff School of Music (15%). Working closely with the School Directors, this position ensures effective planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution of productions in alignment with both the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film and the Glenn Korff School of Music’s academic mission and artistic standards. The Director of Production oversees production operations, personnel coordination, teaching, and student mentorship to support a rigorous and professionally grounded educational environment across all Performing Arts elements of the College. The Director of Production will collaborate with faculty, staff, students, guest artists, and college leadership.
Production Planning and Oversight
- Lead comprehensive season production planning in coordination with the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film and the Glenn Korff School of Music.
- Develop and manage detailed production calendars, schedules, and timelines to ensure timely and efficient execution of all productions.
- Oversee production processes from pre-production through strike, ensuring adherence to artistic, academic, and safety standards.
- Work in partnership with the Facilities Manager to coordinate space usage for rehearsals, performances, technical rehearsals, and special events.
Budget and Resource Management
- Develop, monitor, and manage production budgets in collaboration with the School Directors and College leadership.
- Ensure responsible stewardship of production resources, materials, and labor.
- Review and approve production-related expenditures consistent with university policy and fiscal priorities.
- Identify efficiencies and implement practices that strengthen operational effectiveness while maintaining production quality.
Personnel Coordination and Supervision
- Supervise production staff and coordinate the work of technical directors, designers, stage managers, and related personnel.
- Facilitate effective collaboration among faculty directors, designers, guest artists, and technical teams.
- Support the recruitment, contracting, and onboarding of guest artists and production personnel as needed.
- Promote a professional and educational production environment aligned with industry standards.
Teaching, Mentorship, and Academic Engagement
- Teach courses in stage management, production management, and professional performing arts practice aligned with JCSTF (expected two per year).
- Mentor and supervise student stage managers, assistant stage managers, production interns, and student production leaders across theatre and music productions.
- Oversee student production assignments, including rehearsal leadership, running crews, and performance calling responsibilities, in collaboration with directing, design, and music faculty.
- Support curriculum development in stage management, arts administration, production leadership, and interdisciplinary performance, including development of Special Topics courses as appropriate and, where appropriate, in collaboration with the School Directors.
- Provide individualized mentorship to students pursuing careers in stage management, production management, arts leadership, live entertainment, and related professional fields.
- Participate in recruitment, auditions, portfolio reviews, advising, and student professional development initiatives as appropriate.
Operational Leadership and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with university policies, safety regulations, and applicable labor or union agreements.
- Develop and maintain production policies, procedures, and documentation.
- Serve as a key liaison between the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, Glenn Korff School of Music, College administration, and production units to ensure clear communication and coordination.
- Other duties as assigned in support of the College’s production and academic mission.
The Director of Production is a 12-month “Fiscal Year” (FY) appointment with responsibilities spanning the full calendar year to support the planning, instruction, and execution of the College’s production season and related academic activities. This position reports to the Director of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, with a dotted-line to the Director of the Glenn Korff School of Music. The position is leave‑eligible and accrues vacation leave in accordance with university policy, along with other applicable leave benefits.
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See .
Minimum Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in theatre, stage management, production management, or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience demonstrating substantial accomplishment in production management.
- Significant professional experience in theatrical, musical, or concert/live performance production management, including season planning, budgeting, scheduling, and contract coordination.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex production processes across multiple concurrent projects.
- Demonstrated experience teaching or providing formal instruction in stage management, production management, or related performing arts disciplines.
- Proven ability to mentor and supervise students in performance or production environments.
- Proven ability to supervise and coordinate technical staff, production personnel, and student workers.
- Strong organizational, financial management, and problem‑solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, designers, directors, and administrative leadership in an academic or professional performing arts setting.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a collegiate theatre, music , dance, or performing arts program with an established production season.
- Three years of experience teaching theatre, music, dance, or performing arts at a collegiate level.
- Record of curriculum development in stage management, production leadership, arts administration, or interdisciplinary performance.
- Experience mentoring students who have successfully transitioned into professional performing arts careers.
- Knowledge of union agreements and professional production standards.
- Experience managing production budgets within a public university or comparable institutional environment.
- Record of advancing operational efficiencies while maintaining high artistic and educational standards.