Resident Lighting Designer

Position Summary

The Resident Lighting Designer is a full-time member of The Ruth’s Lighting & Media Department whose responsibilities combine theatrical lighting design, support of guest lighting designers, and hands‑on technical and departmental work. This position serves as Lighting Designer for approximately five assigned productions each season and as the primary lighting designer for company events, educational showcases, and other assigned programming.

On productions designed by guest lighting designers, the Resident Lighting Designer provides associate design and technical support, helping translate the guest designer’s work into The Ruth’s venues, systems, and production processes and supporting the successful realization and maintenance of the design.

As a year-round member of the Lighting & Media Department, the Resident Lighting Designer also participates actively in theatrical electrics, programming, installation, maintenance, changeovers, and other departmental operations. The position requires both a strong artistic perspective and significant hands‑on technical skill, with responsibilities shifting throughout the season based on production schedules and departmental needs.

The Resident Lighting Designer reports to the Lighting & Media Supervisor for departmental supervision, scheduling, technical standards, equipment, staffing, and day-to-day operations. When serving as the Lighting Designer for an assigned production, the Resident Lighting Designer works collaboratively with the Director, Artistic Director, Executive Creative Producer, Production Manager, and broader creative and production teams throughout the design and production process.

• Serve as Lighting Designer for approximately five assigned productions each season, developing and implementing lighting designs from initial concept through opening and the production run.
• Serve as the primary lighting designer for company events, educational showcases, marketing materials, and other assigned programming, adapting the scope and technical approach to the needs of each event.
• Develop lighting concepts that support storytelling, establish mood and atmosphere, complement scenic and costume designs, and contribute to the overall visual language of each production.
• Collaborate closely with directors, designers, stage management, production leadership, and other creative team members to develop cohesive and unified production designs.
• Participate in design presentations, design conferences, production meetings, and other creative and production conversations associated with assigned designs.
• Attend rehearsals, run-throughs, and other production calls as needed to observe the work and develop or refine the lighting design.
• Create and maintain accurate lighting plots, instrument schedules, channel hookups, magic sheets, cue documentation, and other necessary design paperwork.
• Develop lighting designs within established production budgets, equipment inventories, schedules, staffing, and technical capabilities.
• Coordinate with the Lighting & Media Supervisor regarding equipment needs, rentals, staffing, installation requirements, and other resources necessary to successfully realize assigned designs.
• Prepare designs and documentation to support efficient implementation during hang, focus, programming, and technical rehearsals.
• Program or oversee the programming of lighting cues and control systems as appropriate to each production or event.
• Attend and lead lighting-related work during technical rehearsals for assigned designs.
• Receive and respond professionally to artistic and production feedback throughout the design and implementation process, incorporating appropriate revisions while maintaining clear communication with the Lighting & Media Supervisor and creative team.
• Make appropriate adjustments throughout rehearsals, technical rehearsals, previews, and the production run to maintain the quality and artistic integrity of assigned designs.
• Maintain accurate and complete design documentation to support the operation, maintenance, remounting, or archival needs of assigned productions.