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“Where have all the TDs gone?” was the title of a workshop at the 2019 SETC Convention. It’s also a question that is asked repeatedly as theatres seek to hire technical directors (TDs). The job of the TD is challenging, and theatres need skilled, well-trained, hard-working people to perform it. Concerns about a growing shortage of candidates for the job prompted Camden Simon, production manager and technical director at Oak Ridge Playhouse in Tennessee, to organize the SETC session, which had an estimated 55 to 60 people in attendance. Simon noted “almost all agreed there is a problem” filling TD positions with well-qualified individuals. Difficulties in finding qualified TDs also were reported by most of the respondents to a recent informal survey of SETC member companies and theatre departments. More than 97% of the 76 respondents said there is a shortage of candidates for TD and other technical positions. In a related survey of current and former technical directors, 80% of the 40 respondents said they believe there is a shortage. Some of those who disagreed that a shortage existed said that enough qualified applicants would exist if employers provided adequate compensation for the skill level of TDs and the hours of work required.
while two additional respondents reported 35 and 40
what is a full-time TD job at a university.” Tracy Nunnally, professor and technical director at Northern Illinois University, agreed that “the role and expectations of the TD vary wildly from place to place.” Nunnally, who is also owner of the flying effects company Vertigo, shared a TD mission statement he wrote many years ago and still finds apt: “The primary mission of the traditional technical director is to coordinate resources (time, information, money, room/space and people) to ensure that the team of technical craftspeople have the necessary resources
the profiles with this article.
believe there is a shortage?
specific skills varied considerably. While six of the
particular, he noted, “We don’t have good rubrics for
spotlighted in
positions? If yes, why do you
for the job in terms of education, experience and
a TD is. It’s a different job in different places.” In
shortage are
shortage of people to fill TD
the number of applicants considered fully qualified
in Detroit, “is that there is no good definition of what
about the TD
Do you believe there is a
applicants, respectively. Within this candidate pool,
Brinker, technical director at Michigan Opera Theatre
SETC’s survey
Jacksonville, AL
respondents reported six to 20 applicants per search,
“One challenge in discussing the issue,” said Dan
responded to
Jacksonville State University
zero to five applicants for each position. Another 14
What Is the Job and Why Is It Hard to Fill?
directors who
Technical Director
TD searches in recent years, 45 reported that they had
applicant was qualified for the position.
technical
John A. Davis
Among respondents who had conducted one or more
fully qualified, 24 respondents said none or only one
and former
CURRENT TD
Respondents to the surveys noted varying levels of success in finding qualified applicants for TD jobs.
respondents found that 100% of their applicants were
Selected current
Yes. Many companies will not pay a fair rate to their TDs, and then expect them to work ridiculously long hours. They also have unrealistic expectations of what their shop and staff can accomplish when it comes to a design for a show, which adds unfair stress to the TD. If yes, what do you believe should be done to alleviate the shortage? As upper management for a theatre company, you need to be versed in what the TD’s role is and what is expected from them. For many years, theatre has used a slave-for-the-art model: working late into the night, weekends and holidays. This model is outdated, and most TDs do not want to work this way anymore. What advice do you have for young people about this career? Learn as much as you can. Stay organized. Don’t assume you know it all. What advice do you have for those educating future TDs? Stay relevant. Just because you did it that way in the past doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way to do it today. What advice do you have for theatres looking to fill TD positions? Pay a reasonable salary, and don’t handicap your TD by questioning all of their choices. Remember, you hired them for a reason. Winter 2020 x Southern Theatre x 17