Department: Technical

Responsible to: Duty Stage Manager or Duty Chief Electrician

Department Head: Stage Manager or Chief Electrician

Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust is an independent charity that exists to bring world class theatre and creative engagement to and for the people of Newcastle and the North East. We are committed to giving the highest quality welcome and service to everyone, on-stage and off.

Purpose of the Post:

Members of the Technical Crew are responsible to the Stage Manager, Chief Electrician, Deputy Stage Managers or Deputy Chief Electricians, working with the Technical Department to ensure a first-class production and technical service is delivered across all aspects of the Theatre Royal’s work.

Principle responsibilities:

As a member of the Technical Department, providing support for all productions, to include:

• Working on get-ins, fit-ups and rigging, strikes and get-outs, to include assistance, when appropriate, for the Electrics and Wardrobe departments

• The preparation of stage sets and equipment, props and stage resources

• Rigging, focusing, plotting and operating lighting; rigging, sound checking and operating sound

• The preparation or hiring of sound effects and resources; the preparation or hiring of lighting effects and stage electrics resources

• Support for visiting stage management and production teams

• Crewing performances

• Ensuring that working areas and equipment are kept in a clean, tidy and safe condition; assistance with routine stage, electrics and building maintenance.

• Occasionally, and as agreed individually, providing general assistance to visiting artistes in line with the requirements of their riders

• At all times to maintain the confidentiality of the business or affairs of the Theatre Royal, and visiting companies.

• Undertaking such other relevant duties as may be requested from time to time by the Stage Manager, Chief Electrician, Deputy Stage Managers or Deputy Chief Electricians

Duties as a member of the Theatre Royal team

• Ensuring that the working environment and practices conform to the Trust’s Health and Safety and GDPR Policies, appropriate Child Protection legislation and Health and Safety Legislation

• To take all reasonable care and responsibility for the Health and Safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions and to co-operate with the Trust in achieving and maintaining Health and Safety requirements.

• Be fully committed to the Trust’s Equality Policy; The Theatre Royal values and promotes equality, supports and encourages diversity and has a zero tolerance policy on discrimination of any kind.

• To adopt an environmentally aware attitude and adhere to any of the Trust’s Green Initiatives, taking personal responsibility that all duties are undertaken to ensure environmental, sustainability and climate change best practice is observed.

• To understand the Trust’s staff handbook and respect the ethos by which we work as an equal opportunities and inclusive employer, always striving to be the best in our industry as a welcoming theatre.

• To have an understanding of our Creative Programme, which comprises work on stage and our Creative Engagement programme, collaborating with colleagues to ensure the highest quality support and customer service is delivered across the programme as a whole.

Person Specification

• Extremely flexible to meet the needs of the touring companies and able to work at short notice, with infrequent and irregular shifts

• Willing to work unsociable hours and on occasion through the night to meet ‘get in’ deadlines

• Excellent time keeping and a reliable worker

• Natural team player, putting the needs of the Trust first

• Health and Safety conscious with some knowledge of fire evacuation, manual handling and working at heights

• Able to work at heights and contribute to stage set up by handling various scenery pieces within health and safety regulations

• Has the ability to operate stage equipment

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with different visiting company crews

• Discreet and respectful of confidential theatrical operations

• Has some knowledge and skill in the use of stage equipment, sound and lighting desks

• Has demonstrable skills in similar roles

• Would like to pursue personal development in a theatrical setting

Hours of Work

‘0 hours’, no hours are guaranteed and are dependent on the show requirements. Weekend and evening work is essential to the role. As the requirements of the touring productions are sometimes unpredictable, we are sometimes unable to commit to shifts and occasionally we may need workers at very short notice.

Uniform

Uniforms are provided to Theatre Technicians to reflect the image of the theatre which has a significant impact on the way we are viewed by the public and visiting companies.

Working at the Theatre

We recognise that only once every member of our team feels a sense of belonging they will truly thrive during their time working with us. You will be welcomed at the Theatre, and if you need any adjustments at the time of applying or within the role please let us know at any stage in the process by contacting Sara at recruitment@theatreroyal.co.uk

Causal 

This is a 0 hour contract. No hours are guaranteed and are dependent on the show requirements

Application Deadline

Wednesday 8th January 2025, 12pm

Interviews to take place on 15th Jan 2025

Pay

The position is salaried at £13.14 per hour

Training

The post-holder will be offered induction training as well as ongoing training and professional development based on the needs of the individual and requirements of the post.

Holiday

Casual workers are entitled to paid annual leave. This is calculated by your Line Manager and is based on 5.6 weeks of your average working week, including bank holidays. Entitlement will depend on the amount of hours you have worked and will be averaged out over every quarter period.

Entitlement increases through your length of service to 6.0 weeks after 3 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.

Pension

10.3% employer contribution

Employee benefits

• Critical Illness and Death in Service Cover
• Employee Assistance Programme available to all staff and their household members
• Discounted Travel Scheme - discounted Metro and bus travel.

• Discounted Tickets - Access to staff discounted tickets for performances, subject to availability
• NE1 Discount card - Access to city centre discounts and activities.
• NGCV Discounts - Theatre Royal staff have access to discounts across 10 Newcastle Gateshead Cultural Venues.