Employment

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Position Overview:

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is seeking a Technical Director for its Summer 2026 production of Free Shakespeare on the Common: A Midsummer Night’s Dream directed by CSC Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler. The performance runs July 22 – August 9, 2026 outdoors on the historic Boston Common, Boston MA.

FLSA Status:

Temporary, part-time, non-exempt employment on a W-2.

Compensation: 

This is a non-exempt W2 position (eligible for overtime) with an hourly rate of $30/hour (overtime rate is $45/hour).  Anticipated total of 60 regular hours during the pre-production process (March through June) and 161 regular hours plus up to 60 overtime hours during load in, performances and load out (July through August). 

Payments to be remitted in the week following work hours (typically on Thursday/Friday), based on the submission of completed timesheets.

Location: Boston, MA

• Occasional meetings with Production Management, Designers, and/or Department Heads to be completed remotely as needed
• Remote meetings with third party scene shop and occasional travel to third party scene shop as needed
• Prep prior to load in to be completed in Stoughton, MA and third party scene shop location TBD
• Rehearsals to take place at the BLO rehearsal space, Boston MA
• Performances on the Boston Common, Boston MA
• This is a local hire – no housing or transportation is provided. 

Dates of Engagement / General Schedule:

March 2, 2026 – August 21, 2026 on an as needed basis, with July 6 – August 14, 2026 on a first priority basis. 

Pre-Production Work: Early March through Late June

Rehearsal Studio Load In: June 19-21, 2026

Prep Week: July 6 – 9, 2026

Boston Common Load In: July 10 – 16, 2026

Rehearsal Studio Load Out: July 17, 2026

Tech: July 17 – 21, 2026

Previews: July 22 – 28, 2026

Performances: July 29 – August 9, 2026

Boston Common Load Out*: August 10 – 15, 2026

Post Show: August 17 – 23, 2026

*Load Out could be delayed by up to one week to accommodate a potential film capture of the production.

Reports To: Ryan Spruck, Production Manager

Duties / Responsibilities:

The 2026 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream celebrates our 30th year of sharing Free Shakespeare productions with Greater Boston audiences. The Technical Director will manage the scenic bidding process, load in and load out processes, as well as maintenance tasks throughout the run of the show and coordinate with all other staff and departments to achieve a safe and efficient workplace.

Responsibilities include:

• Scenic Design, Build, and Production Install Planning
  • Oversee scenic bid process in conjunction with Production Management
  • Collaborate with scenic designer, third party scene shop, and staging company to ensure designs come in on time and under budget 
  • Collaborate with the Production Manager to plan install, notes, maintenance, and strike.
• Supervising and Hiring of Staff
  • Secure and supervise overhire labor for load in and load out as needed.
  • Indirectly supervise PAs during load in and load out
  • Review/sign off on timesheets as needed
• Budgeting
  • Maintain/manage the scenic budget as outlined by the Production Manager
  • Ensure all expenses are tracked and accounted for, including tracking of in-state / out-of-state spend status
• Load In/Load Out
  • Work with Production Management to load in/out needed materials at offsite rehearsal space location TBD
  • Work with other department heads and vendors to retrieve, install, and load in of CSC owned supplies, equipment, and production elements. Oversee scenic install outdoors on the Boston Common with third-party scene shop and CSC staff
  • Work with other department heads and vendors to complete load in/out/strike of the scenic materials, which may include operating a rented cargo van or box truck to complete storage runs
  • Maintain a safe working environment according to OSHA and general standards.
• Technical Rehearsals
  • Communicate with Production Management to address notes from previous day’s production meetings; complete minor repairs and scenic notes on site at the designated rehearsal space
  • Lead overhire crews as needed to execute scenic, paint, and general stage notes on stage as needed

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in professional or academic theatre
• 3+ years experience in Technical Direction or a related field
• Strong carpentry skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Experience in managing large crews
• Experience working outdoors
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Personal vehicle a plus

Onsite Job Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry 50lbs
• Ability to navigate stairs and uneven terrain
• Ability to navigate in low-light and outdoor settings
• Valid driver’s license
• 18+ years of age
• Experience with and ability to meet all duties and responsibilities as listed above

Candidates with parallel experience such as General Management, Technical Theatre work at department-head level, or Production work for film/tv/music will be considered and should be encouraged to apply

To Apply:

If interested, please send a resume and brief statement of interest to employment@commshakes.org with the job title in the subject of the email.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and hire will be made as soon as a suitable candidate is found. No phone calls please.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

CSC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Professionals of all identities, backgrounds, and abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. CSC’s mission and values are summarized on our website at commshakes.org/mission-history. The applicant’s experience should reflect a commitment to these values. We celebrate diversity and access and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. CSC is a place where everyone can grow, so however you identify and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a position that interests you.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is a participant in the Line Drawn Community Standards Initiative to prevent harassment and abuse in the New England performing arts community and requires all staff, contractors, and volunteers to abide by these standards. By developing programs and resources specifically for the needs of the New England performing arts community, Line Drawn aims to create safer and more equitable work environments. We are committed to this Initiative because preventing harassment and abuse is not optional – it is a requirement for creating theatre. More information can be found at commshakes.org/linedrawn/ 

 

All performances will be held in accordance with the most up to date state, city, and industry safety protocols regarding COVID-19. CSC will require all staff and performers to provide proof of a completed FDA-approved vaccine regimen for COVID-19. This policy allows for exemption accommodations for disability or religious reasons. Additional protocols regarding masking, testing, and/or vaccine booster requirements, if necessary, will be announced closer to commencement of in-person work.