10. Technical Director

Technical Director - AKA the T.D.

Job Description:
- Person responsible for supervising the construction, mounting, rigging, and shifting of all scenery and properties
- Sometimes functions as the master carpenter to construct the set
- Order materials needed to complete the project.
- Works under the scenic designer to make their vision a reality on stage.
- Uses scale plans from the designer for construction….
     * Rear elevation – Scale drawing of the back of something. Show how it is built (see handout)
     * Plans from the designer sometime have to be supplemented by drawings done by the TD. These are called plates – sheet of mechanical drawings drawn to scale - provide more details for the builders (how the item is to be constructed).
- Supervise transport of the constructed materials from the scene shop (build place) to the theatre
- Also repairing any sets or props during the run.
- In many cases, also in charge of overseeing multiple crews – props, paint, carpenters, etc...
- Keeping track of necessary supplies and budgets.
- In charge of strike at the end of the run / transport back to storage or garbage disposal


Necessary skills:
* Know safety regulations! (Shop rules, house rules, dress code for workers, etc…)
* Drafting – creating mechanical drawings
* Construction – wood & steel, power tools, measuring, painting
* Rigging – (cable and rope) - how to safely hang scenery & how to tie knots
* Electrical safety
* Budget tracking
* Problem Solving (Save money… use stock. What do we have that can be adapted to the new project?
* Time management (Efficient – Save time = save money!)
* Management of people
* Management of resources – do you have enough supplies to complete the job? What do you have to order? How much of each supply would you need to order?
* Repair – scenery, props, possibly lighting/sound, sewing (drapery repair)