Looking for a technical director for Live Touring Show for kids Dec 4 and Spring 2026

38 views
Skip to first unread message

Janet's Planet

unread,
Oct 27, 2025, 12:40:44 PM (4 days ago) Oct 27
to QLab
Technical Director / QLab Supervisor (Touring)

Company: Janet’s Planet, Inc.
Shows: Janet’s Planet: Tour of the Solar System and Astronaut/Aquanaut (with Jennifer Swanson)
Term: Spring 2026 (approx. 15 tour dates; additional dates possible)
Travel: National (road + air). 2–3 performances/day common on school and matinee days.
Reports to: Executive Producer/Performer (Janet Ivey-Duensing)
Status: Contract (1099) or seasonal employee (TBD).
Compensation: Competitive day rate + per diem + travel/lodging covered. (Discussed during interview.)

Role Summary

Own the technical integrity of the show on the road. You will run QLab, call lighting and sound, coordinate with local crews, keep the show on time, and execute a smooth audience experience. You’re precise, calm under pressure, and excellent at multitasking. Bonus points if you can quickly edit audio/video and update show assets.

Core Responsibilities

  • QLab Operation & Playback

    • Build/verify show files; program, label, and color-code cues; manage workspaces and cart stacks.

    • Run all shows (2–3/day) with consistent timing; safeguard redundancy and failsafes.

  • Calling the Show

    • Call all lighting and audio cues with clear, consistent line reads; maintain the prompt book.

    • Keep comms discipline; adapt pacing to performer and house realities in real time.

  • Advancing & Venue Coordination

    • Advance tech needs with venues (power, projection, FOH, comms, stage plot, risers).

    • Lead local crew for load-in/out, focus, projection, and cable management.

  • Sound, Lights, & Projection

    • Coordinate patching; verify gain staging; oversee projector/LED wall focus and keystone.

    • Confirm lighting looks per show bible; create tasteful substitutes when rigs vary.

  • Asset & Content Management

    • Maintain master show assets and backups; perform light editing (audio/video/graphics) as needed.

    • Version control with date-stamped change logs.

  • Tour Readiness & Logistics

    • Maintain gear checklists, spares, and consumables; track freight and cases.

    • Keep daily reports (start/stop times, notes, incidents, fixes).

  • Safety & Professionalism

    • Enforce cable/rigging safety; uphold venue policies; represent Janet’s Planet with excellence.

Required Qualifications

  • QLab proficiency (v4/v5): audio/video playback, network cues, MIDI/OSC, timecode familiarity.

  • Show-calling experience for touring, TYA, or similar cue-dense productions.

  • Audio fundamentals: mic types and placement, playback/console routing, Dante or analog patching.

  • Projection/Video: signal paths (SDI/HDMI/DP), scalers/switchers, projector alignment/EDID.

  • Lighting literacy: reading plots, focusing basics, busking simple looks on common consoles.

  • Editing: fast-turn audio (RX/DAW) and video (Premiere/Resolve) fixes.

  • Documentation: prompt book maintenance, cue sheets, line-by-line annotations.

  • Travel-ready: valid ID/passport, ability to lift 50 lb/23 kg, clean driving record preferred.

Nice to have: ETC EOS or MA familiarity, Dante Level 1, basic Python/AppleScript for QLab automation, first aid/CPR.

Values & Inclusion

We welcome all qualified applicants. We’re especially glad to see applications from women and underrepresented folks in tech theater. Skill, reliability, and teamwork are the must-haves.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)1) Pre-Tour Prep (T-30 to T-7 days)

  • Finalize show bible: stage plots, input lists, cue sheets, run of show (ROS), contact sheet.

  • QLab master build: verify media links; consolidate workspace; set audio device maps; pre-warm cues; set safe outputs; confirm sample rates; bounce critical stems.

  • Redundancy: prep Primary and Backup Mac laptops with identical OS/app versions; test playback through both; create bootable clone or Time Machine; label I/O clearly.

  • Kits & Cases: Janet will do this and keep all computers with her in her office in Nashville. But you will always help remind Janet to pack spares (cables, power, DI, adapters, SDI/HDMI, USB-C hubs), gaff, console tape, Sharpies, fuses, lamp, batteries, dongles; inventory in a shared checklist.

  • Venue advance: Janet also does all of this, and usually just copies you on the communication. Confirm power, projection specs (resolution/aspect), throw distance, FOH comms, intercom headsets, risers, soft goods, local crew count and call times; share plots.

2) Daily Show Flow (Typical)

Calltimes vary, sometime it is the day before the show, sometimes morning of...usually 1 and a half is plenty but we generally ask for 2 hours before kids start to arrive.

 Arrive, meet TD/crew, safety walk
Load-in; position control world; power map; network/comm check
Patch audio/lighting/projection; line check; projector alignment & keystone
QLab full path test (Primary and Backup) to PA and projector/LED
 Sound check; gain stage; set show levels & snapshots
Lighting focus/looks; verify blackouts and transitions
 Preset stage; scenic/props verification; house music up at –20
Comms check with SM/ops/house; safety brief
Standby call to all departments
GO Run show per prompt book
Post 0:15 Notes, repairs, archive logs; prep for next show or reset
Post final Strike, inventory, pack, venue sign-off

3) QLab Operation Standards

  • Workspace hygiene: logical cue numbering (1.1, 1.2…), clear names, color codes by type (AUDIO/VIDEO/LIGHTING/STOP/PAUSE/ALT).

  • Levels & routing: no red lights; peak headroom (we are cautious of kids who are overly sensitive to loud noises) dB; verify mono vs. stereo assets; program emergency STOP ALL and HARD FADE cues.

  • Media management: all assets in /ShowMedia/Version/Date; no desktop paths; relative linking only.

  • Failover: Backup Mac mirrored via HDMI/SDI and audio (AB switch or matrix); dry-run switchover before house open.

4) Communication & Cue Calling

  • Use standard comms: “Standby Lights 12, Sound 33, Video 21… Lights 12 GO… Sound 33 GO…”

  • Confirm acknowledgements on standbys in tech; in performance, keep GO calls crisp; no backchannel chatter after ten-minute.

  • Maintain line-by-line prompt book with margin timings and contingency notes.

5) Contingency Playbook

  • Video drop: call for backup input on switcher; roll alternate still or blackout; continue with audio narration.

  • Audio glitch: execute HARD FADE + STOP ALL; roll recovery bed; re-stack.

  • Lighting mismatch: busk safe wash at 3200–4000K; restore cues when possible.

  • Computer crash: announce “Switching to Backup”; hot-swap outputs; resume from next logical cue; log incident.

6) Health, Safety, and Etiquette

  • Tape runs and crossings; strain relief all edge connectors; sandbag stands.

  • No beverages near electronics. PPE for lifts. Call unsafe conditions immediately.

  • Respect venue rules; thank local crew; keep footprint clean.

  • Also, stay off your cellphone upon arrival until end of show unless you need to contact Janet backstage, preferable to do that through comms and the backstage manager.

7) Content Updates On The Road

  • Minor edits only (spelling, leveling, last-minute video trims) without changing timing.

  • For timing changes, note in changelog, brief performer, rehearse the update, and update backup media.

  • End of day: push deltas to encrypted thumb + cloud folder; update version number.

8) End-of-Day Deliverables

  • Show Report: start/end, issues/fixes, timing changes, venue notes.

  • Media Log: any asset/version updates.

  • Maintenance List: broken/missing items and consumables to replenish.

Gear & Files (Typical/Adjustable)

  • Control: 2x MacBook Pro (Primary/Backup), QLab 4/5 Pro license, USB-C dock, UPS.

  • Audio: 2-ch or multichannel interface; DI boxes; XLR loom; RF (if carrying).

  • Comms: Clear-Com compatible belt packs & headsets (or venue-supplied).

  • Video: HDMI/SDI converters, scaler/switcher, spare cables, EDID emulator.

  • Lighting: USB-DMX (if needed), show looks reference, console notes for common desks.

  • Docs: Show Bible (PDF + print), plots, input lists, risk assessment, contacts.

  • Misc: Tools, gaff, flashlights, spike tape, laser/throw calculator, spare drives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • Show start within ±2 minutes of schedule. (This is always dependent on buses and when kids can get seated.

  • Cue accuracy ≥ 99.5% across all performances.

  • Zero safety incidents; zero unplanned show stops.

  • 24-hour turnaround on show reports and content logs.

Candidate Materials to Submit

  • Resume (touring/QLab credits highlighted).

  • 1–2 minute video reel or screen capture of cue-calling/QLab programming.

  • Brief note on your backup/contingency philosophy.

  • Two references (one must be a show caller or venue TD).

  • Optional: short example of a show report or prompt book page (redacted).

How to apply: Email [your hiring email] with subject line “Technical Director / QLab – Spring 2026 – Your Name” to ja...@janetsplanet.com.


Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages