Production Supervisor

About The Shed

The Shed is a cultural institution of and for the 21st century. We produce and welcome innovative art and ideas, across all forms of creativity, to build a shared understanding of our rapidly changing world and a more equitable society. In our highly adaptable building on Manhattan's west side, The Shed brings together established and emerging artists to create new work in fields ranging from pop to classical music, painting to digital media, theater to literature, and sculpture to dance. We seek opportunities to collaborate with cultural peers and community organizations, work with like-minded partners, and provide unique spaces for private events. As an independent non-profit that values invention, equity, and generosity, we are committed to advancing art forms, addressing the urgent issues of our time, and making our work impactful, sustainable, and relevant to the local community, the cultural sector, New York City, and beyond.

About the Position 

The Shed is a commissioning organization devoted to supporting leading artists to create new work in a variety of venues, ranging from a large hall to theaters and art galleries. The Production Supervisor should demonstrate an aptitude and willingness to brainstorm creative strategies and solutions to technical design challenges throughout the production process, to implement best practices while developing the Shed-way, and to think outside the box, where appropriate, with artists and Shed colleagues.

The Production Supervisor will have strong technical aptitude, possess effective supervisory skill in decision-making and task delegation, and be able to pivot easily from one task or project to another. They should be experienced with a broad background in technical production. Theater, music, and event production experience is essential, as is an open, creative approach to the production process. Sensitivity to varying artists' and clients' needs and patience amidst changing priorities will help immeasurably in this position. 

The Production Supervisor will report to the Director of Production and will work on all projects as assigned, including Shed-produced programming, partnerships, and external rental events. The Production Supervisor will work closely with the Director of Production, as well as the Production Manager, producers, curators, and the creative team to manage the day-to-day production process including the running of shows. A flexible schedule is a requirement. 

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to

• Provide supervision for load-in, set-up, technical rehearsals, performances, strike, and restore of all Shed productions including placement of seating, staging, lighting, rigging, and sound installations
• Provide direct on-site, day-to-day production support and supervision on projects throughout their entire run, including in-person supervision of select performances
• Run daily technical briefs with crews to make sure that priorities and order of operations are clearly articulated and understood
• Provide information to Shed department heads for daily staffing needs  
• Create daily reports for projects in the technical rehearsal process for heads and Director of Production
• Partner with People Operations to ensure new hire paperwork for all new union personnel is completed and submitted in an accurate and timely manner
• Support production payroll processing for union crew
• Using Shed-standard practices develop requests for pricing to obtain pricing quotes from shops/vendors for  production elements both fabricated and rental assets
• Work with external vendors and subcontractors on logistical and billing processes, partnering with the Finance department to make financial arrangements
• In concert with stage management team, producers, and creative team, build, maintain, and communicate daily production schedules with key stakeholders
• Support stage management teams during rehearsal and production
• Supervise artistic support personnel (prop and costume supervisors), including supporting the hiring process, budget tracking, petty cash management, and scheduling
• Identify technical, budgetary, and time-related challenges and propose solutions
• Collaborate with the Director of Production on maintenance, storage, and inventories of all Shed-owned, production-related equipment
• Work with stage management team to ensure performer safety is maintained
• Interact with front-of-house staff to coordinate activities interrelated between the production and the front-of-house staff
• Collaborate with visual arts and facilities projects that require production-specific elements and Local 1 labor; this may include budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and crew management
• Create/design back-of-house support spaces for cast in collaboration with the Producing team and oversee the set-up of elements requiring crew support; manage support spaces to ensure all departments have the requisite room to work
• Set up rehearsal rooms in collaboration with stage management
• Set up off-site support spaces as needed (costume/fittings, space, etc.)
• Handle deployment of building infrastructure related to Production (e.g., set up and run wireless microphones, audio playback via in-house speaker system, programming, and running architectural lighting systems)
• Communicate and secure client approval for additional labor hours during the run of the event for rentals
• Arrange all deliveries through The Shed's Dockmaster and Hudson Yards Vehicle Screening System
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Qualities

• Three or more years experience in a management position in theatrical discipline; experience in event production desired but not required
• Demonstrable broad knowledge of theater production and entertainment technology including lighting, sound reinforcement and recording, video sources and projection, carpentry, properties, and stagecraft
• Experience with AutoCad and/or Vectorworks desired; good written and verbal communication skills required
• Experience working in an environment where collective bargaining agreements are in effect
• Experience working in the New York market desired
• Ability to work with a flexible schedule
• Experience at an arts-producing organization, preferably a nonprofit, is a plus
• Experience with MS Word and Excel along with the Google Suite of Products is required
• Must be able to operate in theatrical locations such as a rigging grid
• Must be able to be mobile for extended periods of time
• Commitment to supporting creation of a positive working culture and an equitable and inclusive community

Compensation

The salary for this position is $65,000. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Application Process

Interested candidates should complete an application and submit a résumé and cover letter in a Word or PDF document saved as the candidate's first and last name through our Career Center. Only résumés and cover letters submitted in this format will be reviewed. 

The Shed is dedicated to building an equitable environment that is mixed across lines of difference and strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, transgender, and nonbinary candidates. This position will remain open until filled and until a diverse and qualified pool of candidates is identified. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the arts field are strongly encouraged to apply. Whether you're new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.