Director of Production, Court Theatre

Department

AI Court Admin and Operations

About the Department

Now in its 70th season, Court Theatre is the professional (LORTD) theater in residence at the University of Chicago and on Chicago’s historic South Side. Court engages audiences with intimate and provocative experiences that inspire deeper exploration of the enduring questions that confront humanity and connect us as people.

Job Summary

The Director of Production holds primary responsibility for the technical planning and implementation of all Court Theatre productions in a timely and budget-conscious manner, with an emphasis on facilitating clear communication among production staff, creative teams, and other Court Theatre and University of Chicago departments. The role supervises the Production department and the work of freelancers engaged throughout the season. The Director of Production shares the responsibility of facilitating the creative process from assembling creative teams through opening night with a focus on balancing artistic process with final product, and creative ambition with long-term resource management. As a member of the senior staff, this role engages with long-term planning and strategy for the organization with a primary responsibility for logistical, financial, and technical feasibility of artistic goals, and creative/technician team engagement strategies.

Court Theatre is a LORT-D Theatre producing 4-5 mainstage shows per season, plus additional Community Engagement and developmental projects. Employees of Court Theatre are employees of the University of Chicago, receive the benefits of staff employees, and are subject to all University employment policies.

Responsibilities

• Assembles creative teams with Directors and producing team, focusing on Designers and Assistant Designers. Manages recruitment, offers, contracts, and relationships with designers and agents.
• Schedules, budgets, and coordinates the design and production process, ensuring all teams have the necessary information and meets deadlines and budget constraints.
• Oversees production timelines for rehearsals, builds, load-ins, tech, and performances; allocates stage time as needed for artistic and technical requirements.
• Leads production meetings and ensures the maintenance and artistic/technical quality of productions post-opening.
• Recruits, hires, manages and advises six staff direct reports, Heads of Scenery, Costumes, Props, Lighting, Sound and Video, and Associate Production Manager, with varied work locations and schedules. Invests in staff training for retention and skill development.
• Recruits, engages and manages seasonal stage management staff. Works closely with stage managers in advance of the production period and throughout the rehearsal and performances.
• Promotes an inclusive, respectful and compassionate working environment that prioritizes the Court Theatre and University of Chicago’s values.
• Develops and oversees department and show budgets, approx. $1.4M annually; monitors projections and spending; and ensures compliance with organizational financial policies.
• Collaborates on season calendars, production schedules, and long-range plans for system/equipment upgrades. Participates in season planning and capital projects.
• Ensures compliance with HR policies, union rules (USA, AEA), and industry standards, including labor, scheduling, and health and safety protocols. Liaise with unions and ensure safety resources and training are available.
• Creates plans to develop all scenic, costume, lighting, sound, properties, and special effects elements. Monitors the production staff and other supervisors in order to keep track of upkeep of shop materials and inventory of tools, equipment and instruments.
• Manages communications with designers and other vendors, ensuring travel arrangements are made as appropriate. Responsible for the maintenance of production and space usage calendars.
• Prepares and maintains up-to-date pay schedules for all designers, stage managers, run-crew members, and any other bi-weekly seasonal employees. Responsible for hiring and managing all designers and stage managers, production staff.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

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