About Texas Performing Arts:
Texas Performing Arts (TPA) is the professional arts presenting and producing program of The University of Texas at Austin. One of the largest and most active university-based performing arts centers in the U.S., TPA is an anchor institution in Austin’s arts, cultural, and entertainment landscape. TPA operates venues on the UT campus including Austin’s largest theater, Bass Concert Hall. Its public programs include Broadway in Austin; a curated season of international dance, theater, and music; and presentations of national touring artists. TPA is an integral unit of UT’s College of Fine Arts and engages students across the university.
Job Description:
The Assistant Audio/Video Supervisor manages the theatrical audio and video aspects of assigned TPA and UT College of Fine Arts (COFA) facilities and events. The position works on both professional touring productions presented by Texas Performing Arts and on productions of the Department of Theater & Dance and Butler School of Music. The Assistant Audio/Video Supervisor takes the lead in supporting the audio/video aspects of academic productions, including reviewing student designs, advising on feasibility, and supervising student crews. As part of TPA’s production team and reporting to the Director of Production, the Assistant Audio/Video Supervisor works with the Audio/Video Supervisor to ensure the efficient and safe use of audio/video equipment, systems, and personnel. The position mentors the next generation of designers and technicians, enables artists to fully realize their visions, creates exceptional experiences for audiences, and prioritizes the health and safety of people and spaces.
To apply for the Assistant Audio/Video Supervisor position at Texas Performing Arts, please visit https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UTstaff/job/UT-MAIN-CAMPUS/Production-Technical-Staff–Texas-Performing-Arts_R_00021898.
Cover letter, references, and a resume required to apply.
Responsibilities:
• Planning and Management: Work with other production department team members and academic staff to create the highest level of production quality for all events presented, produced, hosted, or supported by Texas Performing Arts and the College of Fine Arts. Manage audio and video aspects of academic productions in the College of Fine Arts by reviewing student drawings and paperwork to ensure proposed designs are functional, practical, and within budget. Participate in academic production design meetings. When assigned to TPA presentations, effectively and diplomatically coordinate with visiting productions, event producers, staff, and other stakeholders. Ensure that theatrical audio, video, and related systems conform to required specifications. Use departmental databases and other systems to effectively share planning, cost, and schedule information. Create and maintain clear and accurate schedules, paperwork, and plans for audio and video aspects of productions. Coordinate with vendors on the purchase or rental of equipment as necessary. Maintain the inventory of expendable supplies for the student audio/video shop. Obtain quotes and participate in bidding processes. Create, track, and reconcile A/V department and event budgets for assigned events. Anticipate and proactively correct potential production conflicts and problems. Develop and maintain strong relationships with production stakeholders and peers across the university, in the region, and nationally. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of historical, current, and emerging industry practices.
• Event Production: Advise and supervise audio and video load-ins, set-ups, strikes, and load-outs for assigned academic and TPA productions. As assigned, function as an audio and/or video designer, department head, technician, programmer, or operator as required. Oversee architectural or environmental audio/video effects beyond the stage when required. Demonstrate a backstage work ethic of proficiency, safety, excellence, and creative problem-solving.
• Leadership and Training: Support the Audio/Video Supervisor in recruiting, hiring, training, and evaluating professional and student audio/video personnel. Schedule, manage, and approve payroll for student employees. Direct labor vendor employees and supervise part-time and student personnel. Provide technical advice to curricular productions in the College of Fine Arts, with an emphasis on the functionality of student designs. Develop learning opportunities for UT students. Maintain and directly contribute to a production culture of mentorship, experiential learning, and professional experience for students at UT and in the greater Austin area. Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures regarding student employees. Participate in meeting TPA’s inclusion, equity, accessibility, and diversity goals, with an emphasis on students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in production disciplines.
• Facilities and Equipment: Maintain theatrical audio and video equipment and systems at peak operating levels, including acting as the lead on equipment and systems in academic production spaces. Regularly inspect and advise on system status and repair or maintenance needs. Participate in managing and maintaining house and lobby audio and video systems. Evaluate and adopt new technology. Maintain, track, and document changes to the audio and video equipment inventory and system information.
• Perform other related functions as assigned. This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described.
Required Qualifications:
• At least one (1) year professional experience managing audio and video control and distribution systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current audio and video equipment, systems, protocols, and best practices; to include the following:
o Analog and digital audio mixing consoles and the standard “outboard” equipment for those types of consoles
o Audio patch bays and signal routing
o Multi-zoned speaker systems and system management (Digital Signal Processing)
o Wired and Wireless microphone systems, including frequency “packing”
o Network-based signal distribution (AV over IP)
o Video streaming systems
o Intercom systems, both wired and wireless
Paging systems
o Video control equipment, to include remote PTZ camera control, switchers, capture and storage methods
o Digital projectors: types, operation and lensing
o Video cameras: types, operation and lensing
o Video signals: composite, VGA, DVI, SDI, fiber optics
o Counterweight theatrical rigging systems; truss and motor rigging systems
o Computer skills: MS Office, AudioCore, SMAART, QLab, Dante
o Basic repair: cables, connectors, basic benchwork and troubleshooting
• Demonstrated ability to design audio plots and operate audio consoles, mixing for live events having multiple inputs.
• Demonstrated managerial skill scheduling, leading, and motivating crew of various levels of experience, with particular emphasis on student crews.
• Effective Communications: Demonstrated understanding of effective communication concepts, tools and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviors.
• Accuracy and Attention to Detail: Demonstrated understanding of the necessity and value of accuracy and attention to detail; ability to process information with high levels of accuracy.
• Service Excellence: Demonstrated knowledge of customer service concepts and techniques; ability to meet or exceed customer needs and expectations and provide excellent service in a direct or indirect manner.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrated knowledge of approaches, tools, techniques for recognizing, anticipating, and resolving organizational, operational or process problems; ability to apply this knowledge appropriately to diverse situations.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Demonstrated experience with a wide range of types of live performance, to include the full stylistic range of music artists, standup comics, Broadway-style musical performances, and “legit” and experimental theater, dance, and film presentation.
• Demonstrated audio and video experience in an educational setting; experience in mentorship or training roles; experience mentoring student employees; experience supervising and advising student designers.
• Demonstrated experience leading the departmental advance process for production audio and video aspects including scheduling, budgeting, equipment substitution, and staffing, with particular emphasis on academic/curricular work and student workers and employees.
• Experience with audio and video equipment of various manufactures and types.
• Demonstrated experience with standard theatrical work rules and general conditions for professional stage crews.
• Fluency in a language other than English.
• Interest in and strong commitment to the mission and programs of Texas Performing Arts.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in past work roles.
• More than the minimum required level of experience; relevant professional education or credentials.
Salary Range
$48,000 – $52,000 depending on qualifications.
Working Conditions
• This position is based in Austin, Texas. If relocating from outside the area, the appointment may begin with a limited period of 100% remote work. Under normal circumstances, this position may allow for occasional instances of remote work on a very limited basis.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Prolonged screen time
• Use of manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders, working at height
• Pushing, pulling, lifting, and moving up to 50 lbs.
Work Shift
Evening, weekend, and holiday work, including “on-call” times, are required in connection with performances and events. Working shifts may include extended daily hours in connection with performances and events. Work will exceed 40 hours per week at peak times. A compensatory time program is provided.
Required Materials
• Cover letter detailing interest in and qualifications for this specific opportunity.
• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior approval of the candidate.
• Work samples may be requested if applicant advances to the interview stage.
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Why Join Texas Performing Arts?
This position offers the opportunity to be part of a first-class production team. You will work on a remarkably wide variety of professional productions, from touring Broadway to experimental performance. You will mentor the next generation of audio/video technicians and designers and support the learning of a diverse group of theater, dance, and opera students. Your work will contribute to advancing the arts at one of the best universities in the world and in one of the most exciting cities in America.
UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package, including but not limited to:
• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards
Texas Performing Arts welcomes and respects all individuals and communities by valuing and consciously maintaining awareness of diverse perspectives and experiences. We believe inclusivity is critical to fostering excellence in all of our endeavors, and we promote diversity in our recruiting, hiring, and retention practices.