Theatre Aspen, the award-winning professional Equity theatre company located in the shadow of Aspen Mountain in the heart of the Colorado mountains, is accepting applications for a full-time, year-round Technical Director/Production Manager to join our staff. Producing an acclaimed summer repertory season, year-round education programming, and special events in our iconic tent theatre, Theatre Aspen has earned a national reputation for Broadway-caliber work in one of America's most distinctive theatrical settings.
Theatre Aspen is now in active planning for a transformative $55 million permanent theatre campus. This is a pivotal moment to join the organization, with a rare opportunity to help shape the technical and physical future of the company for decades to come.
Position Summary
This is a unique role for a unique candidate. The scope of our programming doesn't call for a dedicated, full-time Production Manager, so this position is built to carry both sets of responsibilities: the hands-on technical work of building scenery and leading technical execution, and the administrative, logistical, and budgetary work of running our production department. We need both skill sets in one person.
As Technical Director/Production Manager, you will oversee the technical execution, maintenance, and long-term stewardship of Theatre Aspen's production facilities, scenic operations, and performance venues. You will also manage the scheduling, staffing, and budget for our entire production department, and serve as a key technical and operational voice in the planning of Theatre Aspen's future permanent home.
During Theatre Aspen's bustling summer season, you'll be supported by an Assistant Technical Director and an Assistant Production Manager, allowing you to focus on high-level production leadership while your team manages day-to-day execution. In the fall, winter, and spring, you'll take the lead independently on scenic builds for our education programming, a chance to shape each production's look from concept to completion with full creative ownership, alongside your ongoing budget and production planning for the season ahead.
We're looking for someone energized by solving complex challenges, improving systems, managing budgets and schedules, mentoring artists and technicians, and creating exceptional theatre in an unconventional performance environment.
A Career-Defining Opportunity
This position offers a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact on one of America's most distinctive professional theatres. You'll steward Theatre Aspen's iconic tent theatre and help produce nationally recognized work each summer, while playing an integral role in imagining, planning, and bringing to life Theatre Aspen's future $55 million permanent theatre campus.
Key Responsibilities:
+bull; Production Leadership + Design Collaboration: Collaborate with the Producing Artistic Director, directors, and designers to review scenic designs for feasibility, budget, safety, and venue compatibility; organize and facilitate production meetings, including weekly Two Week Forward meetings; lead the scenic shop bid process and track design and build deadlines; compile production contact sheets for each MainStage production; and maintain Theatre Aspen's technical specifications packet for designers and rental inquiries.
+bull; MainStage Production Execution: Take a hands-on leadership role during load-ins, technical rehearsals, changeovers, and strikes, remaining physically present to troubleshoot and maintain standards; and supervise all production departments, including scenic, lighting, audio, costumes, props, and stage management, to ensure high standards, safety compliance, and adherence to union contracts.
+bull; Education Production + Scenic Construction: Serve as lead scenic builder for Theatre Aspen's year-round education programming, independently constructing scenery and technical elements during the fall, winter, and spring, and supervising student and volunteer builds.
+bull; Tent Theatre + Site Stewardship: Maintain all stage, rigging, scenic support systems, and technical infrastructure; manage and schedule all activities within the tent theatre, including rehearsals, load-ins, rentals, and maintenance; and oversee production storage, equipment inventory, and the annual installation, winterization, and off-season changeover of the site.
+bull; Safety + Emergency Preparedness: Serve as Theatre Aspen's primary point of contact for production safety, leading safety orientations and emergency preparedness for our unique outdoor venue, reviewing procedures annually, and participating in the rotating Site Supervisor duty during performances; coordinate facilities and site supplies, including water, restrooms, cleaning, and first aid, to keep the venue safe and operationally ready; and champion OSHA compliance and safe rigging, construction, and shop practices.
+bull; Budget, Vendor + Equipment Management: Develop and administer production budgets in collaboration with senior management, including cost analysis for rentals and purchases; coordinate with outside vendors and contractors, including invoice review and coding; and maintain inventories and improvement plans for production equipment, AV, video, and networking systems, and venue infrastructure.
+bull; Staffing, Recruitment + Mentorship: Lead recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of seasonal production staff and crew; supervise and mentor seasonal technicians, apprentices, interns, and early-career theatre professionals; foster an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for seasonal staff and visiting artists; and participate as needed in negotiation and mediation of technical and labor matters, including contract disputes.
+bull; Community Partnerships + Future Campus Planning: Cultivate local production partnerships within the Roaring Fork Valley; collaborate with senior leadership, architects, engineers, and theatre consultants on Theatre Aspen's $55 million permanent theatre campus, providing technical and operational expertise throughout the planning process; and support special events, rental activities, and other institutional programming as needed.
Qualifications:
+bull; Five or more years of professional Technical Direction, Production Management, or equivalent production leadership experience
+bull; Extensive knowledge of scenic construction, rigging, and theatrical systems
+bull; Proven experience managing production budgets, cost analysis, and vendor negotiations
+bull; Strong project management, scheduling, and organizational skills across multiple concurrent productions
+bull; Experience recruiting, hiring, and supervising production staff and seasonal crews
+bull; Ability to read technical drawings and collaborate with designers and scenic fabricators
+bull; Excellent communication and collaborative leadership skills, with experience navigating labor and contract discussions
+bull; Experience working in outdoor, temporary, or non-traditional performance venues
+bull; Professional regional theatre experience
+bull; CAD proficiency, welding experience, or ETCP certification
+bull; Experience working under Equity and other union agreements
Physical Requirements: This position requires the ability to lift up to 75 pounds, climb ladders, work at heights, operate power tools and shop equipment, and work outdoors in changing mountain weather conditions.
Location Requirement: This position requires residency in or relocation to the Roaring Fork Valley. Recognizing the unique housing market in our community, Theatre Aspen provides a housing subsidy to help eligible employees establish and maintain full-time residency in the Aspen Valley.
If you are an experienced technical and production leader with a passion for solving complex challenges and creating exceptional theatre in an unconventional performance environment, we invite you to apply and become a pivotal part of our Theatre Aspen family.
Job Type: Full-Time, Year-Round
Start Date: TBD and Flexible. Based on qualifications, a January 1, 2027 start date is currently our desired date.
Pay: $105,000+ndash;$115,000 per year, depending on experience, plus an extensive benefits package including health, vision, dental, and life insurance, a 401(k), and a housing subsidy. Compensation reflects the scope of the skill set this role requires.
To apply please send resume and cover letter to resumes@theatreaspen.org with the subject line +ldquo;Technical Director/Production Manager.+rdquo;
Theatre Aspen is an equal opportunity employer and understands that the work to create equitable theatre on and offstage is never done. We pledge to continually pursue equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in our hiring, casting, education, and performance practices.
