POSITION: Lead Sound Engineer

DEPARTMENT: Sound

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time / Hourly/ Non-Exempt

SUPERVISOR: Sound Director

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1947 by Nina Vance, the Alley Theatre is a pioneer of regional theatre, and one of the leading nonprofit theatre companies in the United States. The Alley has been awarded the prestigious Regional Theatre Tony Award® and the Texas Medal of Arts Award. The Alley has transferred productions to Broadway, Off-Broadway, major European Festivals, and to 40 American cities. Unique among regional theatres, the Alley is committed to maintaining a Resident Acting Company and providing them with work year-round. Nationally recognized directors, actors, playwrights, and designers from across the country have regularly joined the Resident Acting Company.

Rob Melrose, Artistic Director at the Alley, took over as artistic leader of the organization in 2019. His vision for the future of the Alley is both thrilling and ambitious. His strategic goals include upholding the Alley’s artistic excellence, keeping longtime Alley Theatre devotees eager to return each season, and creating productions and cultivating new audiences that are as diverse and vibrant as the city of Houston.

Rob Melrose, Managing Director Dean Gladden and Alley’s leadership team are committed to promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of the Theatre’s programming and operations. We are conscious about fostering an environment where everyone is encouraged to bring their authentic selves. We embrace differences and strive to be inclusive of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

JOB STATEMENT

The Lead Sound Engineer provides hands‐on supervision of the safe installation and operation of audio and video elements for all productions and events at the Alley Theatre. With the Sound Director, the Lead Sound Engineer participates in the production planning process on all productions by determining, documenting, implementing, and troubleshooting all audio, video, and communication systems onstage and backstage.

Additionally, the Lead Sound Engineer ensures the day‐to‐day functionality of the Sound Shop as directed by the Sound Director. This work includes but is not limited to supervising and/or performing equipment repairs, equipment maintenance, routine stock checks, tool and battery maintenance, the upkeep of departmental records, and the maintenance and organization of the Sound Shop and other departmental workspaces.

JOB DUTIES

• Participates in company and departmental meetings of the Sound Department and the Alley Theatre as assigned by the Sound Director
• Represents the theatre’s technical resources as required by the Production Management team for theatre programs including but not limited to additional performances, special events, educational and community outreach programs, building rentals and other non‐Alley building functions.
• In coordination with the Sound Show Lead, plans and executes the technical aspects of each production's design, by creating, updating, and maintaining all necessary paperwork and show related archives.
• Produces, updates and maintains all documentation associated with the consistent operation of all audio, video, communications, and control systems as well as any other necessary paperwork in all rehearsal, theatre, and events spaces to the specifications of the Sound Director
• Supervise and assist in all load-ins, strikes, work calls, level setting sessions, technical rehearsals, and performance calls for productions in either theater as required.
• Complete final pre‐quiet time system checks to ensure the complete and accurate installation of the main sound and auxiliary systems in collaboration with the show lead.
• Supervise and/or perform all equipment troubleshooting, maintenance and repairs of all Sound Department equipment.
• Maintains departmental inventories of all audio, video, computer, network equipment, and supplies, including technical equipment specifications, managing software and firmware updates as necessary.
• Determine and coordinate with the Sound Director and Assistant Sound Director the purchasing and receiving all necessary parts and supplies.
• Serves as a backup for sound engineers in the event they are unavailable.
• Run sound for shows and special events as assigned by the Sound Director
• Along with the show lead, reviews Stage Management Performance Reports, addressing any equipment issues or expendables shortages and notifies relevant parties on the status of any and all issues and their resolution.
• Assist in keeping the order and cleanliness of all departmental workspaces.
• Is responsible for tracking and updating departmental SDS sheets and maintaining safety equipment for the Sound Department
• Works with the Sound Director to recommend areas of capital investment including equipment and infrastructure.
• Performs all work with a high attention to detail to the standards of the department as outlined by the Sound Director
• Follow and uphold Alley Theatre's safety practices.
• Additional duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify over-hire staffing needs based on a production's scope and scale and assist the Sound Director in hiring appropriate over-hire staff.
• Assist in supervising all work calls with full-time and over-hire staff.
• In conjunction with the Sound Director, create, maintain, and update production and departmental project tasks lists.
• Identify, organize, assign, schedule crew, and lead departmental tasks, projects, maintenance, and repairs.
• Demonstrates best practices and trains technicians on standard operating procedure as required.
• Serves as the primary contact for Sound Board Operators and Mic/Instrument technicians on productions in the event of technical problems at nights and weekends.

REQUIREMENTS (SKILLS and KNOWLEDGE):

• Skill and experience leading teams with a demonstrated ability to follow instructions.
• A positive attitude with excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to collaborate with and support co‐workers as a team.
• Detail oriented, able to prioritize effectively and multi‐task.
• Ability to be self‐directed and take initiative.
• A proactive approach to problem‐solving with strong decision‐making skills
• Ability to manage multiple short‐term and long‐term projects simultaneously.
• Able to work in a fast‐paced, energized and quickly changing environment.

• Dedication to continued education on rapidly evolving modern theatrical systems and techniques.
• Ability to understand sound paperwork and other theatrical documentation to industry standards and the standards of the department.
• Advanced skills with Dante audio and control networking practices, installation, and execution
• Able to program and operate a range of Yamaha consoles; experience with DigiCo consoles a plus but not required.
• Skill with Vectorworks, Qlab, Mainstage, Ableton, Yamaha Console Editor software and the Microsoft Office Suite (including Teams and OneNote); Filemaker Pro a plus but not required.
• Commitment to safe working practices
• Understanding of historical and institutional racism in the American theatre, or a commitment to learning, and to be a part of Alley Theatre’s efforts to be an anti‐racist organization

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Ability to lift up to 100 pounds alone or with the aid of a team.
• Ability to work at heights of up to 70 feet.
• Ability to wear and safely use a fall arrest harness.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time up to 6 hours with short breaks.
• Work includes periods of standing, ladder work and work on MEWPs (Personnel Lifts)
• Hours vary with the production calendar and show assignments. Work shifts include afternoon, evening, weekend and overtime hours.

BENEFITS & PERKS

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, floating holiday and sick time
• 401(k) with matching, FSA, HRA (Alley paid deductible)
• Free and discounted tickets to Alley Theatre performances
• Discounted Parking only bi-weekly $4 dollars.
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee wellness program & EAP
• Houston, TX is one of the most affordable cities in the nation with no state or city income tax.

TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please go to the following link on the Alley’s website and apply.

https://www.alleytheatre.org/about-us/opportunities/employment

Alley Theatre is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].

The Alley Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, veterans, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. Successful candidates will commit to an equitable and inclusive workplace, including but not limited to: racial equity, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, use of gender inclusive language, and cultural sensitivity. Read more at Alley Theatre Official Website - Equity Diversity Inclusion