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Technical Director

Seattle Open Arts Place · Seattle, WA, USA ·

Pay:
70.000 - 120.000
Job type:
Full Time

Seattle Open Arts Place (S.O.A.P.) is seeking a

Technical Director

to lead the technical operations of our arts venue in Seattle.

This is a hands‑on, collaborative role for a technically skilled and creative problem‑solver who enjoys supporting artists, maintaining technical systems, troubleshooting in real time, and helping create an accessible, artist‑forward environment.

The Technical Director will work with a high degree of autonomy while collaborating closely with S.O.A.P. staff, artists, rental clients, volunteers, and production teams.

WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Technical Director will oversee the organization’s technical systems, equipment, venue readiness, and technical support for productions, events, festivals, rentals, and performances.

Key responsibilities include:

Maintain and troubleshoot lighting, sound, projection, streaming, and other technical systems

Program and maintain the venue’s lighting boards

Maintain the tech booth and technical storage areas

Establish, maintain, and reset rep plots and supporting documentation

Create clear technical guides, diagrams, and training materials

Maintain equipment inventory, coordinate repairs, and recommend purchases based on need, usability, and budget

Support technical design and documentation for productions, events, and festivals

Update venue TV slides and OBS stream slides in collaboration with the Marketing Director

Provide technical guidance for major events and organizational initiatives

Lead technical orientations and exit walkthroughs for artists, co‑producers, and rental companies

Set up Vimeo streaming links for co‑productions and rentals when applicable

Provide technical support during performances and long‑term rentals

Serve as a board operator for internal events as needed

Train staff, volunteers, interns, and learning artists in basic technical systems

Build and manage a roster of board operators, stream engineers, and learning artists

Help develop future technical internship and learning opportunities

Participate in technical budget planning and manage approved equipment purchases

Coordinate quarterly stage‑floor repainting and help maintain a clean, functional venue

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We’re looking for someone with hands‑on experience in technical theater, live events, venue operations, or a related field, with particular experience

programming and maintaining lighting boards .

The ideal candidate is:

Comfortable troubleshooting technical equipment independently

Organized and attentive to technical documentation and systems

Experienced working directly with artists and production teams

Able to manage multiple technical priorities

Comfortable working independently while being a collaborative team member

A clear and respectful communicator

Committed to creating supportive experiences for artists with diverse abilities, identities, and levels of technical experience

Available for regular onsite work in Seattle

ARTIST & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
At S.O.A.P., technical work is about more than equipment. The Technical Director helps create an environment where artists feel supported, respected, and empowered.

You’ll work with artists, co‑producers, rental companies, staff, volunteers, and community members to make technical processes clear, accessible, and welcoming.

The role also includes helping build opportunities for interns, volunteers, and emerging technicians to develop practical skills and gain experience in technical theater and event production.

VENUE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Technical Director will also:

Participate in approximately three Front of House/bar shifts per month as part of a rotating schedule

Obtain a valid MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) permit, with training costs covered by S.O.A.P.

Assist with venue resets and cleaning as needed

Help maintain a welcoming, functional, accessible, and artist‑forward venue

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION
S.O.A.P. is committed to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and creating pathways into technical leadership in the arts.

We especially encourage applications from

Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, disabled individuals, and people from communities historically excluded from technical leadership roles in the arts.

We believe technical theater should be a space where people can learn, grow, create, and build meaningful careers.

POSITION DETAILS
1406 18th Avenue

Seattle, WA 98122

This position requires

regular onsite work in Seattle , although some responsibilities may be completed remotely.

The

Technical Director

reports to the

Executive Artistic Director

and operates with a high degree of autonomy while working collaboratively across the organization.

ACCESS NOTE
If you need to submit your materials in a different format or require accommodations during the application process, please reach out. We’re committed to making the application process accessible and human-centered.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

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