Job Posting Title:

Assistant Staging and Rigging Supervisor

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Hiring Department:

Texas Performing Arts

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

30

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2025

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

This is a 30 hour per week, benefits eligible position. The position has an end date of 8/31/2025. Continuation of this position is contingent on continued funding and performance.

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; an international season of dance, theater and music; and the Texas Welcomes series of popular artists. TPA is a unit of UT's College of Fine Arts and engages students across the university in creative experiences. To learn more about Texas Performing Arts and this opportunity, please visit .

Why Join Texas Performing Arts?

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, with employer matching funds
• 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
• For more details, please see: and

Purpose

The primary purpose of this position is to provide expert guidance and hands-on involvement in event production, ensuring the highest standards of proficiency, safety, and creative problem-solving are met. The role includes maintaining and managing theatrical staging and rigging equipment, collaborating with production teams, and overseeing architectural and environmental systems. This position will also contribute to the planning and management of events, ensuring that all technical aspects align with required specifications.

Responsibilities

• Event Production: Advise, supervise, and participate in load-ins, set-ups, strikes, and load outs for assigned productions. As assigned, function as a staging and rigging system designer, department head, technician, programmer, or operator as required. Setup and operate staging/rigging equipment in ancillary spaces when required. Oversee architectural or environmental staging and rigging effects beyond the stage when required. Demonstrate a backstage work ethic of proficiency, safety, excellence, and creative problem-solving.
• Facilities and Equipment: Maintain staging, rigging, soft goods, counterweight systems, lifting equipment, and stage elevator equipment and systems throughout the facility at peak operating levels, including acting as the lead on equipment and systems as assigned. Support the Staging & Rigging Supervisor to ensure that staging, rigging, soft goods, counterweight systems, lifting equipment, and stage elevator systems conform to required specifications. Regularly inspect and advise on system status and repair or maintenance needs. Evaluate and adopt new systems and technology throughout TPA's operations. Maintain, track, and document changes to the equipment inventory and system information.
• Planning and Management: As assigned, work in concert with other production department team members to create the highest level of production quality for all Texas Performing Arts events. Effectively and diplomatically coordinate with visiting productions, staff, and other stakeholders. 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 staging and rigging aspects of productions. Coordinate with vendors on the purchase or rental of equipment as necessary. Advise on the status of expendable supplies for the staging and rigging department. Obtain quotes and participate in bidding processes as assigned. Anticipate and proactively correct potential production conflicts and problems. Create, track, and reconcile lighting department and event budgets for assigned events. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of historical, current, and emerging industry practices.
• Leadership and Training: Support the Staging & Rigging Supervisor in identifying, recruiting, training, supervising, and evaluating part-time staff and student personnel. Assist the Staging & Rigging Supervisor in the direction of labor vendor employees and other contractors. 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 students, employees, and contractors.

Required Qualifications

• At least one (2) years of professional experience overseeing theatrical, concert, or event staging and rigging systems.
• Experience with a wide range of types of live performance.
• Experience leading the advance process for staging and rigging aspects of a production including scheduling, budgeting, equipment substitution, and staffing.
• Experience with standard theatrical work rules and general conditions for professional stage crews. Managerial skill leading and motivating crew of various levels of experience
• Demonstrated accomplishment in creating, implementing, repairing, maintaining and using staging and rigging system designs of high quality.
• A demonstrated knowledge of staging and rigging systems, equipment, safety protocols, and best practices; including:
• Counter weight fly systems
• Rigging equipment and systems
• Platforming systems
• Chain hoist systems
• Shaft driven lifting devices (pit lifts)
• Tracked curtain systems
• Personnel access equipment (personnel lifts, ladders, fall protection, etc.)
• Standard theatrical knots
• Computer skills: MS Office suite, CAD drafting programs, rigging calculation programs.
• Demonstrated ability to operate fly systems for live events.
• 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 different situations

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• ETCP rigger certification (Theater and/or Arena).
• OSHA 10 and/or OSHA 30 training.
• More than the minimum required level of experience.
• Experience working in a supervisory capacity.
• Fluency in a language other than English.
• Staging and rigging experience in an arts presenting organization; arts producing organization; university-based organization; or multi-venue performing arts organization.
• Staging and rigging experience with international artists and productions.
• Staging and rigging experience in an educational setting; experience in teaching, mentorship, or training roles; experience mentoring student employees.
• Experience as a touring crew member for theatrical presentations.
• Fluency in the use of advanced staging and rigging technology and commitment to adopting new technology.
• Current fluency in all stage production disciplines.
• Interest in and strong commitment to the mission and programs of Texas Performing Arts.
• Familiarity with Texas Performing Arts venues.
• Other relevant professional education or credentials.

Driving Required

This job requires a class "C" operator's driver's license. The applicant selected must provide a current three year driving record from the current state of residence. If not currently a Texas resident, a Texas driv