Artist in Residence - Illinois Shakespeare Festival - Seasonal Technical Director 2026

Artist in Residence - Illinois Shakespeare Festival - Seasonal Technical Director 2026

• Normal, Illinois, Illinois, United States
• On Campus

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Title: Artist in Residence - Illinois Shakespeare Festival - Seasonal Technical Director 2025

Division Name: Academic Affairs

Department: School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The festival Technical Director consults with the ISF Production Manager, Scenic Designer, and each production team to facilitate the scenic needs for the 2026 season. The Technical Director attends design and production meetings as scheduled by the Production Manager beginning in February and concluding in July. They are responsible for the daily operation and schedule for the Scene Shop located in the Centennial East building. They supervise the daily activity of the Assistant Technical Director, Scene Shop Supervisor, and the seasonal staff of carpenters, welders, and other associated production personnel in the scene shop and at Ewing Theatre performance space.

Other responsibilities include:

• Produce scenic construction drawings to achieve the designs provided by the Festival Scenic Designer. The construction documents must adhere to structural and safety guidelines to assure the safe use of all scenic elements on stage.
• Serves as the safety officer for the ISF rehearsal and performance spaces.
• Purchases materials and goods to be used in the construction of all scenery.
• Maintains the budgets for scenery, paint, and associated materials as directed by the Production Manager.
• Approves time sheets for all hourly employees on the scenery and paint staff.
• Work with the Scenic Designer, Production Manager, and the seasonal Changeover Supervisor to develop a plan to shift the scenery from one production to another as required for repertory style scheduling.
• Be familiar with and manage the use of the ISF technical inventory pertaining to all scene shop storage, equipment, materials, supplies, tools, paint, and be capable of solving problems that arise from usage of inventory.
• Must hold a valid U.S. driver's license and be able to drive a 16-foot box truck for transportation of scenery, materials, and other items to and from the ISU campus to the Ewing Cultural Center.
• Facilitate communication with department heads in the Lighting, Prop, Sound, and Costume shops to achieve the scheduled performances efficiently and safely.
• Oversee the installation of the stock Courtyard stage at Ewing cultural center.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Information

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is an organization within the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and the School of Theatre and Dance at Illinois State University. The mission of the festival is to produce energetic new interpretations of theatrical works, engaging audience and artist in an impassioned exploration of the human condition, with the artistry and humanity of the Shakespearean canon as our constant touchstone. The festival typically produces three mainstage and one theatre for young audience's productions each summer. The company employs approximately 100 people each summer from mid-May to early August. The staff is a mixture of seasoned professionals, early career artists, and students in their first professional theatre experience. The overall goal is to bring quality professional theatre to Central Illinois.

Benefits include time away from work for eligible employees and the option to participate in the University's 403(b) Plan.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$14,000 paid in three monthly installments

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in Technical Direction plus 3 years of Professional Credits as a Technical Director or related job

2. Driver's license

3. Ability to lift 50 pounds

Preferred Qualifications

MFA in Technical Direction

Work Hours

TBD

Proposed Starting Date

ASAP

Required Applicant Documents

Resume

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Contact Information for Applicants

Robert Quinlan, Artistic Director

rfquinl@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.