Production Lighting Specialist
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Job Summary
The Department of Theatre and Dance is encouraging applications for the Production Lighting Specialist position! This instrumental role, applying professional concepts to complete sophisticated lighting designs across various theatre and classroom settings. With a significant ability to work independently, they spearhead the electric area for Theatre and Dance performances. Their coordination with the Theatre Technical Director and Director of Dance Production ensures cohesive lighting endeavors to support artistic goals. This role extends to mentoring a student electrics team, overseeing the upkeep and deployment of a diverse suite of equipment—including conventional fixtures, LEDs, video projectors, and moving lights—and adeptly aiding in the programming and troubleshooting of Theatre and Dance performances.
Who We Are
The Department of Theatre & Dance is a community of students, scholars, artists, and artisans who regard the collaborative and creative process as the core of education. We engage with that process at all levels of our work as we pursue excellence and understanding.
From the root of process stems practice, and that practice bears the fruit of experience. THDN guides that fruition, offering students an expanse of opportunities to encounter the art forms of theatre and dance, their making and meaning.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Partners with student, faculty, and guest designers to prepare and install lighting designs across multiple theatres and a specialized classroom space, using professional concepts.
- Engage proactively with designers to strategize and optimize the implementation of designs, ensuring the efficient allocation of departmental resources.
- Lead and educate teams of 3–10 paid and volunteer students by providing hands-on training, mentorship, and supervision in stage electrics practices to support skill development across varying experience levels.
- Critically assess light plots, demonstrating professional guidance to devise plans that prioritize safety, cost-effectiveness, and timely execution within the established timeframe.
- Regularly review and update lighting protocols in line with evolving campus policies and systems, ensuring that the department remains compliant and up-to-date.
- Address and swiftly resolve recurring lighting and design challenges, collaborating closely regularly with theatre and dance artists and technical staff.
- Provide consistent feedback and suggestions on lighting systems and techniques, striving for continuous improvement while working under periodic review and monitoring.
- Lead or coordinate with operations personnel or coordinators within the department, offering guidance and using their expertise in implementing lighting designs and troubleshooting tasks.
- Continuously seek knowledge on the latest campus policies and systems, integrating them into lighting operations to maintain compliance and promote efficient collaboration within the immediate work team and with patrons.
- Maintain open communication channels with peers and other collaborators familiar with the theatre and dance field, ensuring that the lighting aspects of productions meet or exceed departmental expectations.
- Serve as the primary expert for a specialized student electrics crew, providing professional-level instruction in lighting hang and focus techniques.
- Oversee the care, maintenance, and handling of a diverse range of equipment, including conventional fixtures, LEDs, video projectors, and moving lights.
- Apply professional knowledge to independently and collaboratively repair, maintain, and upgrade all lighting and video equipment.
- Troubleshoot lighting and video system issues promptly and effectively to minimize downtime and support artistic goals.
- Develop and maintain a structured inventory system for all lighting equipment, ensuring accessibility, organization, and compliance with campus policies.
- Communicate regularly with faculty, staff, and collaborators in theatre and dance to align technical operations with the department’s artistic vision.
- Support the leadership of the electrics crew by providing clear direction, technical guidance, and ensuring the completion of tasks with accuracy and professionalism.
- Prepare and present regular reports on equipment condition, inventory status, and maintenance activities to promote transparency and continuous improvement.
- Stay current with campus policies and systems related to equipment handling and storage, ensuring departmental operations remain compliant and efficient.
- Assist with departmental purchasing by researching, recommending, and acquiring tools and equipment as needed.
- Periodically assist in the programming of the lighting console for theatre and dance productions using advanced techniques and professional concepts, ensuring seamless integration with the artistic vision.
- Independently diagnose and resolve technical issues involving lighting systems and fixtures, effectively addressing problems of varying complexity.
- Review and refine lighting system protocols on a regular basis to maintain effectiveness and ensure alignment with departmental and campus standards.
- Maintain thorough documentation of lighting system configurations, maintenance activities, and troubleshooting procedures to support transparency and future reference.
What You Should Know
What We Can Offer
Benefits
Be Statements
What We Require
- A Bachelor's degree.
- An equivalent combination of experience and education or certifications in a related field may substitute.
- At least 1 year of experience working as a production electrician
What You Will Need
- Ability to install, focus, and strike equipment used to light theatre and dance productions.
- Working knowledge of Theatrical Rigging and experience employing a theatrical rigging and fly system.
- Ability to maintain lighting and electrics equipment.
- Demonstrated proficiency on ETC EOS / element consoles.
- Comfortable working at heights, climbing ladders and scaffolding, and operating genie lifts.
- Must be able to lift 50+ pounds.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- 2+ years of experience working as a production electrician
- Demonstrated experience working in a higher education performance environment and supervising student teams.
- Demonstrated experience with projections and audio.
- Troubleshooting and repair of moving light fixtures.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm for mentoring students of varying skill levels in the art and craft of stage production for live performance.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by 8/12/2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu