Moving Light Programmer

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

IATSE Union La Jolla, CA, US

30+ days ago Requisition

CLASSIFICATION:Seasonal per show;

IATSE local 122;
Non-Exempt (Hourly)

PAY:$35.14 per hour, negotiable (current Department Head Rate 1, IATSE Local 122)

LOCATION:Onsite inLa Jolla, CA on the beautiful UC San Diego campus

SCHEDULE:Weekdays with occasional overtime, weeknight, weekend and/or holiday work

WORKS WITH:LJP Staff, Visiting Artists & Designers, IATSE Labor, UCSD Residents & Students

PRODUCTION:PARTICLE FEVER

Based on the documentary film by Mark Levinson and David Kaplan
Book by David Henry Hwang
Music and Lyrics by Bear McCreary and Zoe Sarnak
Story by David Henry Hwang, Bear McCreary and Zoe Sarnak
Directed by Leigh Silverman

EMPLOYMENT DATES:January 25 - February 28, 2027

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:Cover letter, resume, and references

Join La Jolla Playhouse's Production Department as the Moving Light Programmer for PARTICLE FEVER, an ambitious new musical that blends science, spectacle and human discovery. Working under the direction of the Production Electrician, this role is a key creative and technical partner in bringing the lighting design to life during tech and preview weeks.

The Moving Light Programmer will collaborate closely with visiting Lighting Designers, the Production Electrician and the electrics team to program moving light and conventional lighting rigs on an EOS-based console. This position is ideal for a highly skilled programmer who thrives in a fast-paced theatrical environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and brings both artistry and precision to the cue-building process.

The strongest candidate is a collaborative artist-technician who is excited by new work, energized by the intensity of tech, and committed to supporting the artistic vision and mission of La Jolla Playhouse.

• Report directly to the Production Electrician and collaborate with the Lighting Designer, Assistant Lighting Designer, Board Operator and electrics team.
• Program rigs containing upward of 40 automated LED and moving light fixtures on an EOS Apex console.
• In consultation with the Production Electrician and Board Operator, establish and maintain console layout, channel check procedures and show file organization.
• Participate in prep and pre-programming calls as determined by the Production Electrician, Production Manager and Lighting Designer.
• Prepare programming tools and show elements, which may include groups, presets, macros, beam and color palettes, cues, pre-visualization, advanced pixel mapping, magic sheets, MIDI/SMPTE setup, robotic followspot setup and VOR or similar systems.

• Work directly with the Lighting Designer to write, revise and maintain cues throughout the tech and preview process.
• Execute technical programming required to support the Lighting Designer's artistic vision, including effects, chases, macros, marking and other complex programming needs.
• Anticipate programming needs, troubleshoot issues quickly and help maintain forward momentum during fast-paced technical rehearsals.
• Communicate clearly with the Production Electrician, Board Operator and design team about cue changes, system needs, notes and priorities.

• Assist the Assistant Lighting Designer with moving light documentation using MLA software.
• Train the Board Operator to take over the show file and complete the run of show confidently.
• Support the show crew with theatre turnover between tech and previews, including daily tech table strike and reset.
• As needed and in coordination with the Production Electrician, assist with physical tech notes such as hanging lights, circuiting, moving ladders or lifts, swapping color, troubleshooting fixtures and addressing moving light issues.

• Advanced experience programming ETC EOS-family consoles (preferably EOS Apex) in live theatre, opera, dance, concert, event, or comparable production environments.
• Demonstrated experience programming automated, LED, and conventional lighting systems in complex cueing environments.
• Strong knowledge of EOS programming workflows, including cueing, tracking, timing, palettes/presets, effects, macros, marking, magic sheets, show file organization, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Lighting Designers, Assistant Lighting Designers, stage management, production teams, and artists to translate artistic direction into accurate, repeatable cues.
• Experience working in fast-paced technical rehearsals and live production environments, managing competing priorities, frequent changes, and tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of lighting control systems, signal flow, and networking,…