Technical Lead, Butler Center – Austin Opera Austin, TX Backstage & Technical

Austin Opera is seeking a Technical Lead for its new venue, the Butler Performance Center. The Technical Lead will be responsible for all technical operations of the rehearsal & performance venue, leading Austin Opera productions and providing supervisory support for rental clients. A key member of the Austin Opera artistic/production team, this position will also support Austin Opera productions at the Long Center.

This position is ideal for an experienced multi-talented stage technician and a highly organized, detail-oriented problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

• Serve as the Technical Lead for all shows performed and booked at the Butler Performance Center.
• Assist in the creation of technical schedule & crew requirements for all Austin Opera productions in the BPC.
• Assist with the creation and communication of production schedules for the BPC with the Austin Opera staff.
• Partner with the Butler Performance Center Director to manage rentals of the theater, ensuring outside renters use the space and equipment in alignment with theater policies and procedures.
• Ensure equipment required for rentals is available and ready for use and provide support and training to renters on the proper use of Austin Opera lighting, sound, and projection equipment.
• Ensure the maintenance of the Butler Performance Center theater space and technical equipment, overseeing repairs regular schedule maintenance.
• Assess and suggest venue upgrades.

• Serve as a company expert on all technical aspects of the BPC.
• Support the supervision and maintenance of the Austin Opera warehouse/shop.
• Support the supervision stock scenery, props, and lighting equipment.
• Partner with the production team to supervise stage crew departments for all productions in all venues, ensuring adherence to IATSE rules and practices.

• Assist in the creation of individual production budgets as well as seasonal expense budgets for BPC shows and other production projects as assigned.
• Partner with the Director of Production to track production expenses and cash flow forecasts
• Manage and submit stage crew payroll for BPC productions to RADAR.

• As a member of Austin Opera’s artistic and production team, may be asked to participate in board meetings, donor conversations, etc.
• Serve as a representative of the company to the performance industry in Austin and the wider opera field to increase Austin Opera’s industry connectedness.

• Excellent knowledge and practical experience in theatrical construction techniques, stage operations, lighting systems and networking, LED wall and projections, sound systems, and stage safety.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Strong creative problem-solving skills, with the ability to interact with all levels of the organization, including guest artists and designers.
• Well-organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently.
• Ability to delegate and oversee projects assigned to others.
• Ability to report continually on budget and production projects to directors, designers, and team members.
• Excellent computer skills and aptitude.
• Experience in CAD, Vector Works, Lite Write, Watchout, and technical theatre programming and drawing software are a plus.
• Knowledge of or strong interest in opera and other genres of music is preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively within the production team and with multiple departments.
• Willingness to learn new technologies beyond initial areas of expertise.

Residing in the Austin area is a requirement of this job, as is availability for evening and weekend events. Employees must have reliable transportation and occasionally transport equipment and supplies to and from the office, event locations, and performance venues during daytime and evening hours. Public transportation in Austin is limited. Austin Opera is an Equal Opportunity Employer.