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.
