Theater Production Manager

Job Summary

The Theater Production Manager is responsible for the operational and technical oversight of all productions presented at the Ferst Center for the Arts, a 885-seat professional performing arts venue. This position manages the full production lifecycle across all event types including professional touring productions, campus presentations, student showcases, institute events, rental engagements, and corporate events. Responsibilities include production scheduling, technical advancing, budget management, equipment and systems oversight, safety compliance, and supervision of production staff.

This position will interact regularly with guest artists, production teams, rental clients, campus partners, institute leadership, vendors, and GT Arts staff. It will advise and counsel rental clients, campus partners, students, and GT Arts leadership, mentor student organizations navigating the production planning process, create opportunities for students to engage with the professional production team, and supervise the Theater Production Specialists and Technical Support Associate.

• Job Duty 1: Manage the production schedule for all Ferst Center events, coordinating across GT Arts programming, rental bookings, institute events, and campus partner activities; ensure resources, crews, and equipment are allocated effectively across the full event calendar.
• Job Duty 2: Advance technical and production requirements for all events; serve as the primary production contact for institute events, touring companies, visiting artists, and rental clients; communicate venue capabilities, policies, and operational requirements, ensuring all production protocols are established prior to each event.
• Job Duty 3: Provide direct supervisory oversight of production staff including the Stage Manager, Lighting Specialist, and Audio/Visual/Network Technician; establish performance expectations, support professional development, and ensure each position operates effectively within their area of responsibility.
• Job Duty 4: Oversee the condition, maintenance, repair, and capital planning for all production systems and equipment including lighting, audio, rigging, staging, projection, and show control systems; coordinate vendor relationships and service contracts to ensure systems are reliable and current.
• Job Duty 5: Identify, implement, and monitor health and safety practices within all stage and production operations; ensure compliance with campus safety regulations and risk management protocols; maintain safety documentation and provide ongoing safety training to production staff and overhire crew.
• Job Duty 6: Manage the production department budget, including labor forecasting, equipment expenses, overhire costs, and vendor contracts; develop and maintain production documentation including event reports, equipment logs, maintenance schedules, and post‑event summaries to support operational continuity and ongoing improvement.
• Job Duty 7: Mentor student organizations through the technical planning and production process for events in the Ferst Center; create and support opportunities for students to engage alongside the professional production team through shadowing, crew participation, and hands‑on learning; foster a production environment that treats student engagement as a core part of the Ferst Center's educational mission.
• Job Duty 8: Perform other duties as assigned.

• Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Theater, Technical Theater, Production Management, or a related field.
• Required Experience: Five or more years of job‑related experience in production management within a professional events venue or performing arts organization.

• Additional
  
  Preferred Qualifications:
  
  Experience managing production operations across multiple event types in a high‑volume venue setting.
• Preferred Educational
  
  Qualifications:
  
  Master’s Degree or equivalent advanced professional experience in performing arts production or venue management.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical requirements…