Production Manager

Manage the production planning process for music, theatre, and dance performances and focus on effective resource allocation of production budgets, labor, and time. Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and guests to establish rehearsal and performance processes with an eye toward artistic excellence, student engagement, academic inquiry, and community care. Supervise the Technical Directors and Costume Shop Supervisor, student stage managers, and technical crews, both professional and student, for all Eisner Center performances. Work in collaboration with the Managing Director and lead the technical production team by serving as a resource for communication and project management.

Department/Division Overview: 

The Michael D. Eisner Center, named after one of Denison’s proud alumni,  is the vibrant heartbeat of creative life at Denison University. Bringing the departments of Dance, Music, and Theatre under one spectacular 108,000-square-foot roof, the Center is specifically designed to champion interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and risk-taking. From our 400-seat Sharon Martin Hall to our intimate black box and recital spaces, we provide a dynamic environment where student curiosity meets professional-grade performance. We produce over 100 performances a year in five performance spaces, including four plays, two musicals, and three dance concerts, and a wide array of student music ensembles and guest artists

Responsibilities:

• Lead the production planning process for the Eisner Center for the Performing Arts and the academic departments of Music, Theatre, and Dance, which includes 4 theatre productions, 2 musicals, 3 dance concerts and approximately 60 concerts per year, in five performance spaces. Establish production calendars, lead production meetings, liaise with management, technical team, designers, faculty, staff, and students to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and to scope. 

• Manage production and technical budgets. Plan and coordinate capital expenditures. Budget and track labor costs for both student and overhire technicians. 

• Supervise the Technical Director of Stage Operations, Technical Director of Production, and the Costume Shop Supervisor. Work closely with the shops on day-to-day operations, project timelines, benchmarks, and navigate conflicts and resolve concerns.  Provide additional technical support to shops during overlapping projects in order to ensure student safety and support. 

• Develop detailed production schedules which address the unique needs of each production, the overlapping nature of projects, and the needs of faculty, staff, and students. Coordinate and communicate complex scheduling for load ins, technical and dress rehearsals, and performance days. Advance guest artists and work with tour managers to ensure that Denison provides an excellent performance experience, while using discretion to implement the artistic vision within our resources. 

• Establish crew staffing needs for all performances, ensuring performances are staffed with knowledgeable students or supplemented by recruiting and supervising overhire production crew. Recruit, train, supervise, and schedule the student performance crew, who support over 100 performances each academic year. Stage manage complex events, or delegate/ hire stage management for music and dance performances as  necessary

• Manage safety protocols including emergency procedures during events, health and safety standards in the shops and performance spaces, ensure students have access to community care resources..

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Supervising Responsibilities:

• Supervises 3 Administrative Staff positions: 

  • Technical Director Stage Operations, Technical Director Production, and Costume Shop Supervisor. 

• Supervises a team of  student employees

• Supervises professions on contract and casual labor contracts (overhire)

Minimum Requirements:  

Bachelor’s degree and significant experience in Technical Theater, Stage Management, or Production Management

• 3-5 years of experience in technical production or management  in professional or academic theatre. 

• 1-3 years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role 

Preferred Requirements:(Optional)

• Master’s degree in Technical Theater, Stage Management, or Production Management

• 7+ years of experience in production management with significant stage management and supervisory experience

Why Choose Denison? 

Denison University is a leading, fully residential liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio, located  just outside the Columbus metro area. Established in 1831, Denison blends a rigorous academic foundation with an award-winning approach to student mentorship and career readiness. With a vibrant campus community of 2,400 students and around 1,000 employees, Denison offers employees a supportive work environment dedicated to educational excellence and professional growth. 

Denison provides a number of staff-focused benefits, with some highlights:

• 10% contribution to your retirement

• 22 vacation days

• 3 floating holidays

• Comprehensive and inexpensive healthcare benefits

• Paid campus closure from Christmas to New Years

• Free parking and gym membership

• Free classes for employees

Want to learn more about us? Visit Denison.edu for more information. 

Starting at $68,000