Reports To: Director of Production
Area of Responsibility: Production, Operations and Artistic
Wage Classification: Hourly
Position Summary: The Master Electrician leads in executing lighting designs for Nashville Ballet season productions, productions/showcases for the School of Nashville Ballet, and other public performances and events. It also assists in the support of the Nashville Ballet Artistic team and School of Nashville Ballet in studio support as part of the larger Production and Operations team. Reporting to the Director of Production, the Master Electrician is part of a highly collaborative team of professionals who create, perform, teach, support and promote dance as an essential and inspiring element of our community. This position also serves as an assistant to guest lighting designers when they opt not to bring their own onto a project.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Lead the realization of lighting designs from an electrician standpoint for Nashville Ballet season productions and School of Nashville Ballet showcases/performances.
- Work with Lighting Designers and Director of Production to coordinate equipment rentals and contact rental organizations for equipment quotes for all show.
- The Master Electrician (ME) will be responsible for sending any relevant information to
- incoming Lighting Designers. This is included but not limited to; Vectorworks files of the venues, inventory lists of both NB owned equipment and TPAC owned equipment, and any archived information and files from previous iterations of the piece.
- The ME will also be responsible for the maintenance of archival paperwork on all ballet performances for reference and future productions.
- The ME will take on the creation of all lighting console show files with the information provided by the designers.
- If there is no ALD provided by the designer, the ME will take on the duty of creating any spot paperwork in conjunction with the designer’s vision.
- If a designer elects to not provide an ALD, the ME will assist with the focusing of fixtures as needed by the designer.
- Coordinate and supervise lighting crews in lighting prep and execution of lighting load-ins, focus, and strikes.
- Manage repairs of equipment to include fixtures, dimmers, consoles, cables, connectors, etc., and coordinate off-site repair and replacement of equipment with Director of Production.
- Working knowledge of the ETC lighting consoles.
- Working knowledge of theatrical lighting fixtures, including LED fixtures and intelligent theatrical lighting fixtures with a willingness to continue furthering knowledge as technology evolves.
- Maintain all ballet-owned lighting equipment in good working order and report repair needs or replacements to the Director of Production to coordinate off-site repair and replacement of equipment as required.
- Working knowledge of theatrical rigging basics and acting as ballet representative to ensure safety is maintained.
- Working knowledge of basic audio-visual equipment including sounds systems, cd and mp3 playback devices, dvd players, television and/or video monitors in support of Company and School.
- Design opportunities for Nashville Ballet and School of Nashville Ballet productions may be available.
- Manage the upkeep and cleanliness of workspaces to maintain an efficient and safe work environment.
- Monitor and maintains performance studio and stage safety, instructing crew in safety standards.
- Miscellaneous duties as needed to ensure excellent lighting quality in all performances.
- Attend production meetings and other meetings as required.
- Other duties as assigned in the Production and Operations Department including but not limited to basic electrical support of studio wiring and lighting fixtures, support and troubleshooting of studio audio-visual consoles, seating installation and on-call time for studio support on occasion if needed.
- Equal responsibility, in conjunction with the Assistant Technical Director/ Properties Master, for the maintenance and safety in the warehouse, including but not limited to the organization and storage of floor, properties, sets, lighting, and general shop equipment.
- The successful candidate will be self-motivated, an innovative problem-solver, and ready to manage professionally. They will have a positive spirit and energy, a good sense of humor, and a collaborative and flexible working style.
Work Requirements and Qualifications:
1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in technical theater or related field; may substitute work experience for education.
2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- At least five years of experience in entertainment lighting with a theatre or performing arts organization
- Experience working with audio-visual equipment.
- Working knowledge of operational wiring and standard studio lighting fixtures.
- Experience in managing part-time staff.
- Experience in managing IATSE labor.
- Strong written and verbal communication and collaboration skills
- Strong organizational skills and project management skills.
- Evening and weekend availability.
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are a non-exhaustive list of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to handle, feel, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms above the shoulders. The employee is frequently required to sit and occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative to those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
Disclaimer Statement:
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job. While this document is intended to be an accurate description of the currentjob, circumstances may require that other, or different tasks be performed (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).
Nashville Ballet provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
To Apply: Please send your cover letter, resume, and references to [email protected] with “Master Electrician” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.
Our Mission:
We create, perform, teach, and promote dance as an essential and inspiring element of our community.
Our Vision:
Nashville Ballet is an accessible and inclusive organization that creates community through excellent and innovative dance and dance education; is recognized locally, nationally, and internationally for artistry, community engagement, and financial sustainability; and is a rewarding and satisfying place to work.
Our Enduring Values
- We believe in the transformative power of art.
- We inspire appreciation for the art of ballet.
- We strive for excellence with integrity in all we do.
- We respect one another and the art form.
The understanding of and the ability to not only support but celebrate our culture is essential to each and every person at Nashville Ballet.
Nashville Ballet Diversity Statement:
Nashville Ballet is invested in creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. We believe we can best achieve our mission by creating a climate of respect that is supportive of all voices, celebrating diverse stories, increasing arts access, and sparking communal discussion about our community and our world through our art form and our artistic programming. When considering the diversity of the Nashville Ballet community, we look at all aspects, including: race, gender, age, socioeconomic status, disability status, geographic (rural/urban), and sexual orientation. However, Nashville Ballet recognizes the racial inequalities that have plagued the dance world for far too long and is deeply committed to educating our constituencies on systemic racism, engaging in antiracist work in every branch of our organization, and doing our part to abolish racial inequalities in ballet.
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
