Website Sunset Cultural Center
The Central Coast's premiere performing arts venue
Job Title: Stage Manager
Reports to: Production Manager
Job Type: Full-time Non-Exempt hourly (minimum 30 hours/week)
Pay Range: $36-$42 per hour ($56,160 – $65,520/yr)
Organization Overview
Sunset Cultural Center (SCC) is a nonprofit organization established in 2003 to manage the historic Sunset Center in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Originally a public school built in 1926, the center has since been transformed into a state-of-the-art performing arts venue. Through Sunset Presents, SCC brings a wide range of world-class performances and live events, with a commitment to diversity, sophistication, and star power in its programming. Sunset Center is home to resident companies Carmel Bach Festival, Carmel Music Society, Chamber Music Monterey Bay, and Monterey Symphony. SCC also offers free community outreach programs and administers an acclaimed Arts Education Program. SCC is currently seeking a Stage Manager to oversee technical systems and equipment at both the theater and the historic Sunset Center facility.
General Purpose/Major Responsibilities
The Stage Manager is responsible for the smooth operation of all on stage activities for each production, as well as maintaining the Sunset Center theater between productions. This includes managing facility equipment, ensuring safe working practices backstage, maintaining and repairing inventory, directing a crew of stagehands and operators, and leading safety meetings for all onsite crews. In addition to the specific responsibilities listed below, the Stage Manager serves as a positive and professional liaison between SCC, resident companies, outside presenters, labor vendors, patrons, volunteers, and the City of Carmel. A flexible schedule is required, including weekends, evenings, and occasional holidays, based on SCC’s performance and event calendar. We are seeking a proactive, cooperative, adaptable, and communicative candidate with knowledge of theater systems. The Stage Manager will be expected to gain a comprehensive understanding of the SCC facility, including its audio systems, lighting systems, stage operations, fly rail/rigging system, orchestra pit lift, and all associated safety protocols. We are seeking a responsible, professional, reliable, flexible, and experienced Stage Manager.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Fill a variety of roles as needed on a show-by-show basis, including flyrail operator, lighting designer, audio engineer, and other technical positions as needed.
Operate, maintain, and safeguard the technical assets of the theater during and between productions, overseeing the use of lighting, sound, rigging, communications equipment, and stage facilities.
Assist the SCC facility team with larger scale projects and systems repair or maintenance as needed.
Ensure the venue is prepared for production, including safeguarding the safety of crews, performing artists, audiences, and others by implementing and enforcing safety protocols.
Orient facility renters and visiting productions to safety, technical specifications, and other operational procedures; facilitate the use of the technical facilities for resident companies and renters.
Collaborate with visiting companies to meet technical requirements for events and performances, including lighting, sound, staging, and special needs.
Train all overhire crew on the safe use and operation of all technical equipment.
Monitor the condition of lighting, sound, and rigging equipment; arrange repairs and replacements within budgetary constraints; and performs preventive maintenance duties as assigned or needed.
Manage and maintain the inventories of lighting, sound, and A/V equipment; prioritize recommendations for equipment purchases, repairs, maintenance, and system upgrades.
Research and make recommendations for both short term and long-term facility upgrades and equipment purchases.
Maintain an OSHA 30 certification.
Provide excellent customer service to patrons, visitors, partners, donors, and community members.
Create and manage a monthly cleaning and maintenance schedule for the theater facility.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Production Manager or Executive Director.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Self-motivated, reliable and responsible, with a strong work ethic, capable of working independently or leading a team.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Minimum three years of experience in relevant position.
In-depth knowledge of current industry standards, methods, techniques, and equipment.
Strong ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with coworkers, vendors, crews, staff and the community.
Effective communication skills, both orally and written, with the ability to represent Sunset Center effectively to community groups, renters, patrons, and volunteers.
Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with Teams and Zoom is a plus.
Proven experience in loading, striking, maintaining, inventorying, and managing theatrical lighting, audio, and visual equipment.
Experience reading ground plans, cross-section/elevation drawings, and interpreting lighting plots, musical instrument layouts, and video/audio requirements.
Ability to analyze and assess the technical needs for productions and special events.
Proficient in AutoCAD or VectorWorks with the ability to read and evaluate set drawings and elevations.
Capable of updating and maintaining technical space drawings.
Strong understanding of rigging and associated safety standards.
Up to date knowledge in industry safety standards for theatrical venues.
Ability to maintain inventory and perform basic preventative maintenance.
Willingness to work irregular and extended hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as our events calendar dictates.
Must be comfortable climbing ladders, safely lifting equipment, pushing or pulling objects up to 100 pounds (using appropriate tools).
Bachelor’s degree in Theater or comparable industry experience is a plus but not required.
Cost-conscious with a demonstrated ability to adhere to budgets.
BENEFITS
Sunset Cultural Center is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to regular, full-time (minimum of 30 hours per week worked) employees. Full-time benefits include health, dental, vision and life insurance for employees, twelve (12) paid sick days per year (96 hours), fifteen (15) days’ vacation per year for the first five years of employment, eleven (11) paid holidays, and two tickets for any Sunset Presents events as available. Dependents may be added to insurance coverage, or other benefit plans may be added, at the employee’s expense. Insurance benefits are available to full-time staff beginning the first day of the month following sixty (60) days of employment.
Part-time employees receive forty (40) hours of paid sick time up-front each fiscal year, available after 30 days of employment; two tickets for any Sunset Presents event as available; and 11 paid holidays per year.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position will require regular sitting, standing, walking, and the ability to lift supplies up to (100 lbs.) as needed. Sunset Cultural Center (SCC) is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In alignment with this commitment, SCC will take steps to provide reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, or to receive any benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Amanda La Roche, Director of Finance and HR, at hr@ sunsetcenter[dot]org.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Sunset Cultural Center staff work in both a theater and administrative office setting. Regular evening and weekend hours are expected based on the needs of the performance and event schedule.
TO APPLY: If interested in the position, please email your resume and brief cover letter to Amanda La Roche, Director of Finance and HR, at hr@ sunsetcenter[dot]org. Please include in the subject line of your email the following: “Stage Manager – Your Name.” All submissions that follow application guidelines will receive a response. Please, no phone calls or drop-ins.
Thank you for your interest!
Sunset Cultural Center is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse, equitable, inclusive, and antiracist environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. We will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
