Job Description

Wilkes University invites applications for a full-time Technical Director in the Division of Performing Arts to begin in August 2026. The Wilkes University Theatre Program offers a BFA in Musical Theatre, a BA in Theatre Arts, a BFA in Theatre Design and Technology, and minors in Theatre, Music, and Dance.

Responsibilities

The Technical Director oversees technical production for the Division's annual season, which includes two musicals, two plays, one dance concert, and several music concerts. Core duties include:

• Producing cost analyses, construction drawings, and build/load-in schedules for each production in cooperation with other departments
• Attending tech and dress rehearsals and the majority of performances
• Teaching courses in technical production, which may include stagecraft, stage rigging, welding, drafting, advanced stagecraft, introductory design, and production lab supervision; design courses possible for qualified candidates
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and organized scene shop, stage, and storage facilities
• Managing inventory of tools and shop equipment
• Building scenery and supervising student crews
• Supervising staffing for additional events in the Darte Center
• Providing support across technical areas, including scenic, lighting, and sound design as needed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Theatre with an emphasis in technical production, plus a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience
• Experience in theatrical scenery construction, welding, stage rigging, and budget management
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Collaborative mindset and positive, team-oriented attitude

Preferred Qualifications

• F.A. in Design/Technical Direction or a related field with a theatre emphasis, plus a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience
• Two or more years of university-level teaching experience

About Wilkes

Wilkes University is an independent, comprehensive university dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts, sciences, and selected professional programs. The University has approximately 2,000 students at the undergraduate level and over 1,500 full time equivalent students at the graduate and first professional levels.

Its institutional focus is on developing strong mentoring relationships with each of its students and contributing vitally to economic development of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The University is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a revitalized city that is located on the lovely Susquehanna River and is within two and one-half hours driving distance of New York City and Philadelphia.

To apply, visit https://wilkesuniversitycareers.applicantpro.com/jobs/ Please be sure to include a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae and three references.

Wilkes University is constantly seeking to become a more diverse community and to enhance its capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings. The University strongly encourages applications from persons with diverse backgrounds. Wilkes University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

Employment at Wilkes is contingent upon the results of a thorough background screening. PA Act 153 requires that persons working in positions with regular and unsupervised contact with minors complete additional clearances, including FBI fingerprinting and PA criminal and child abuse clearances.