Lead Electrician

The application window for this position has an anticipated end date of 06 /10/2025 .

Company Overview

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is one of the largest non-profit theatre organizations in the nation, presenting Broadway tours and producing theatre, cabaret, musicals, and innovative, immersive experiences. Through these experiences and alongside our robust Education program, we engage hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The DCPA’s workforce includes more than 300 employed team members in non-union and union positions (in partnership with seven unions). In addition, we employ hundreds of artists and contractors annually. We have a strong volunteer program which includes more than 300 volunteers.

Our Mission: “We engage and inspire through the transformative power of live theatre.”

Culture Statement

For more than 40 years, creativity and community have been the foundation of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ success. As a leading cultural organization in the Rocky Mountain West, we are actively participating in a cultural evolution of belonging and anti-racism. Our commitment to reflect the diversity and priorities of our community — in our workplace, audience and programming — has never been more present.

We believe that the theater can transform us — and be transformed by us. We invite you to be part of our Team.

Job purpose

The Lead Electrician is an IATSE position in the Backstage Department and reports to the Supervising Stagehand. The Lead Electrician is responsible assisting the implementation (Load In, Maintenance and Strike) of Theatre Company productions as specified by Technical Direction, as well as, the successful running of assigned performances. The Backstage Department also provides support to ancillary projects as needed throughout the Center. All employees are expected to model and champion the DCPA’s core values of artistic excellence, community, equity, diversity and inclusion, and fiscal responsibility.

Job Duties

The Lead Electrician will work closely with designers, directors, stage managers, stagehands, and actors while maintaining the Denver Center’s core values of integrity, inclusivity and collaboration. The Lead Electrician must be able to commit to a standard production schedule consisting of: daytime, evenings and weekends, and a combination of both. Performance schedules vary from 6 to 9 shows per week on our mainstages and can vary greatly in our off-site and experimental work. Production assignments are dependent upon the Theatre Company’s seasonal calendar and will change from year to year.

• Participate in and encourage a safe, healthy and inclusive working atmosphere. Support, enforce and recommend improvement to DCPA policies and procedures.

• Maintain a positive, flexible and respectful attitude while under periods of stress.

• Communicate clearly and regularly with Supervisor about department or show-running issues.

• Demonstrate efficient time-management and ability to work unsupervised as required.

• Additional duties as assigned by Supervisor.

• Hang, cable, and focus lighting instruments to conform to a designer’s plot.

• Install and maintain color media as described on a designer’s plot.

• Wire and install special effects that require electrical service.

• Enter light cues, as created by the lighting designer, into the computer control systems.

• Operate the control systems that run the lighting cues in performances.

• At the close of a production, remove lighting elements and restore the theatre and catwalks to neutral to receive the next production.

• Maintain the electrical and lighting systems within the theatres.

Skills & Qualifications

An ideal candidate will fulfill most of these qualifications:

• Reading and understanding technical drawings.

• An understanding of theatrical lighting and projection equipment including lighting fixtures, dimmers, and control systems.

• Load-in of electrics and electrical effects for productions.

• Working knowledge of the optical capabilities of lenses and reflectors.

• Knowledge of basic electricity and stage lighting skills that relate to the implementation of theatrical effects.

• Knowledge, ability and experience in the hanging, rigging, and focusing of theatrical lighting and projection equipment.

• Perform work required for the technical rehearsals and performance of a production, including: Console Programming and Troubleshooting.

• Maintain the “look” of a play during its run, including system maintenance, channel check. Insuring that all elements remain visually consistent with the design and safe for use by the actors.

• Experience in the repair of lighting fixtures

• Computer skills that relate to lighting systems and controllers.

• The ability to recognize and repeat lighting choices (focus, color, and cueing) throughout the duration of a production run.

• Has experience with theatre production in general, rigging and run crew in specific, and familiarity with the most up-to-date technology and equipment being used in the industry.

• Demonstrated experience in professional technical live performance (may include educational experience)

• Clear understanding of the artistic process

• Good communication skills

• A positive, professional and collaborative attitude even during periods of high pressure

Supervisor Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Working Conditions

The Lead Electrician is a dynamic position that requires working in a variety of different environments which may include: wood shop, traditional theatre space (onstage, in house, backstage and in technical areas such as grids), and off-site or non-traditional theatre spaces. Position requires a flexible schedule, including periodic long hours, irregular hours, and nights, weekends and holidays as required. The Lead Electrician may be asked to work at heights up to 70’, must be able to work from ladders, drive a vehicle, lift up to 80 lbs. and use industrial tools.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is constantly required to see, talk, or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may at times be required to wear an air-purifying respirator. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Direct Reports

No direct reports.

Compensation

$33.26 per hour

The DCPA does not require applicants to disclose age, date of birth or dates of attendance and/or graduation from an educational institution in their application for employment. Applicants may redact these and other applicable dates from their resume, transcript, and any other material that they submit as part of their application for employment.

In order to provide high quality, culturally competent care to our patrons, students, guests and team members, it is of highest importance that our hiring practices reflect our values by offering an environment that celebrates diversity and embraces inclusion. All of our team members – regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, language, abilities/disabilities, socioeconomic status, geographic region, or other defining characteristics – should feel welcome and valued.