POSITION: Associate Properties Director

DEPARTMENT: Properties

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time / Salaried / Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Properties Director

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre, and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States delivering world class theater on its two stages and through its education and community engagement work. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award+reg; and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to 40 American cities. Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them with work year-round. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.
Led by Artistic Director Rob Melrose and Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein, the Alley focuses on delivering excellent programming to inspire and enchant lives through theater and prioritizes creating a welcoming environment for all.

JOB STATEMENT

The Associate Properties Director is a member of the prop shop, providing positive leadership, organization, communication, and supervision for the prop shop in coordination with the Properties Director. With the Properties Director, the Associate is responsible for supporting the artistic vision of directors and designers as it relates to the advancement, budgeting, and realization of scenic/properties designs and participates in season and production planning as it relates to the execution of the properties.

JOB DUTIES

Work with the Properties Director to plan the procurement/build of props for each production including scheduling, shop supervision, material ordering, and new product/process research and implementation.
Work with the creative team and production management to manage and maximize the artistic impact of financial resources by evaluating designs and creating material and labor estimates.
Assist scenic designers through entire process, from initial drawings, through the tech and preview process, making suggestions and sharing ideas to solve problems, improving productions, and facilitate changes.
Manage and facilitate all properties needs throughout the build, rehearsal, load-in, technical rehearsal, previews, run, and strike of each production and special event.
Serve as Properties Lead on assigned productions, typically half of the season+rsquo;s productions.
Run/participate in department meetings as necessary and assist in dissemination of all pertinent information to shop staff.
Assist with maintenance and updating of show books, research, notes, photos, and other information for all productions. Assist with management of all properties budgets.
Shopping/purchasing, construction, painting, acquiring, and finishing of all properties as needed, including hand props, furniture, furnishings and set decorations for all productions.
Repair, upholstering, and refinishing properties borrowed, purchased, or constructed for productions.
Pulling properties from stock as needed for productions, rental, or rehearsal, which includes transporting furniture to and from an offsite warehouse.
Assist in maintaining open communication within the prop department and with other production departments.
Attend technical rehearsals and preview performances as required by the Properties Director.
Attend full staff meetings, production department meetings and post-mortems as necessary.
Work with the Education and Community Engagement (ECE), marketing, and development departments to help staff and facilitate education shows and special programs. This may include opportunities to teach workshops, talk about the company and your career with students, and meet with constituent groups to discuss +lsquo;behind the scenes+rsquo; activities.
Participate in advancing the achievement of artistic goals of the theatre, ensure quality and consistency, and maintain the highest production values for the Alley Theatre by contributing to group discussion, meetings, note sessions, etc.
Supervise staff and over-hire in the implementation of safety measures per theatre safety policies and best practices.
Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist in motivating and coaching employees to improve performance, provide feedback and training opportunities.
Assists in organizing and overseeing the schedules and work of departmental staff.
Assists with performance evaluations that are timely and constructive as needed.
Ensuring staff members follow company policies and procedures.
Ability to supervise and manage a team of artisans.
REQUIREMENTS (SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE)

Ability to work in a fast-paced, energized and quickly changing environment.
A proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making skills.
Detail oriented, able to prioritize efficiently and multi-task.
Ability to be self-directed and take initiative.
Ability to maintain confidential information.
Excellent verbal and written communications, organization, and research skills.
Exhibits a positive attitude with good communication and interpersonal skills.
Three years+rsquo; experience working in a professional theatre and/or a college degree in technical theatre or a related field preferred
Demonstrated leadership skills, experience working with designers and a strong understanding of other areas of production.
Properties construction and artisan experience. The ideal candidate has skills in the following areas:
Woodworking, furniture building and repair, and metal working
Soft goods, sewing skills
Casting and molding, sculpting, and carving
Experience with small motors, mechanisms, electronics, 3d Printing, etc.
Scenic painting and finishing techniques
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite. Knowledge of AutoCAD or Vectorworks preferred.
Experience and knowledge of power and hand tools and shop equipment.
Working knowledge of decorative history and period styles.
Training and understanding of safe practices for the theatre.
Capacity to solve problems and engage in creative thinking individually and in a group environment, while being able to accept and implement feedback.
Clear understanding of the artistic process and interpersonal, teamwork, and diplomacy skills
Ability to read and interpret working drawings and to disseminate that information clearly and effectively
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Ability to lift and move 30 to 50 lbs., and occasional work on ladders, scaffolding, and boom lifts.
Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where directions and priorities can change rapidly.
Typical hours are during the day, but the position requires flexibility to be available for weekend, holidays and evening work hours as needed.
BENEFITS + PERKS

Medical, dental and vision insurance
Paid vacation, floating holiday and sick time
401(k) with matching, FSA, HRA (Alley paid deductible)
Free and discounted tickets to Alley Theatre performances
Discounted Parking ($4 Bi-weekly)
Discounted gym membership
Employee wellness program + Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Alley Theatre is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hrdept@alleytheatre.org.

The Alley Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.