Director of Theater and Cirque (FT or PT)

About Mill Springs Academy:

For more than 40 years, Mill Springs Academy has been dedicated to empowering neurodivergent students to discover their strengths and thrive. Our unique approach to education combines academic learning with practical skill development through project-based learning. Our hands-on curriculum engages students in real-world challenges, fostering critical thinking, executive functioning skills, and social-emotional intelligence. At Mill Springs, our mission is clear—prepare students to be Real World Ready, equipped with the confidence, life skills, and resilience to succeed in whatever path they choose.

The Technical Director is responsible for all Fine Arts productions as well as any and all school events that require technical assistance. These events include, but are not limited to, the fall One Act Play production, the spring musical production, fall/spring band and chorus concerts, and GrandFriends’ Day. For these events, the Technical Director must serve as the teacher, designer, construction supervisor and, if the need arises, running crew. Above all else, the Technical Director is a teacher. The position requires a full teaching schedule of classes to include Technical Theater 1 and 2, and Stage Makeup/Special Effects. This position also requires that the individual adapt his or her own techniques and skills for the student. Each student is different, and his or her needs will be widely different.

Responsibilities:

• Understand sound mixing and sound design (anywhere from four to twelve microphones running at any one time for multiple events, from our band concerts to live musicals).
• Understand lighting design and sequence programming. We currently have an ETC Element lighting console
• Understand construction techniques for the theater and safe working loads and structural engineering techniques for building safe and reliable scenery.
• Understand scenic painting techniques.
• Be familiar with Mac and PC programs such as Vector Works, Qlab, Dante Editor, Garage Band, iTunes, Photoshop, Audacity, Google Suite, Office Suite, and iMovie.
• Serve as the design team and provide designs promptly.
• Coordinate the construction of props and scenery through class time and Winter Learning session.
• Run all tech rehearsals and provide clear instructions to all crew.
• Provide the definitive voice for best practices about safety in all of the fine arts and ust be able to read a MSDS and abide by all OSHA / USITT regulations.
• Have authority and train students in safety standards and safety equipment.
• Maintain and service a wide variety of equipment each year and keep an inventory of all expendables in the shop.
• Provide technical assistance to any school function or event requested and set up or breakdown and running of a school function or event.
• Manage the calendar for each performance space at the school.
• Manage and track budgets for the current calendar year for all scenic, electrical, prop or costume needs for every production.
• Mentor students to leadership positions as crew heads for each production.
• Coordinate with each department in Fine Arts to accomplish shared goals.
• Work with the Director of Advancement to expand the budget for Tech through grant writing and charitable donations.
• Assist colleagues in other divisions to help expand cross-curriculum studies.
• Coordinate with the Director of Music/Musical Theater on all communication to parent volunteers.
• Be available for coverage for any Fine Arts faculty absence.
• Maintain prompt and professional communication with parents.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Fine Arts Director or Administration.
• Report directly to the Fine Arts Director and works closely with the other members of the Fine Arts Faculty.
• Keep the Fine Arts Director current on all communications with parents or teachers concerning student performance, behavior, or any other issues that arise.
• Provide feedback to parents about each student in class to maintain effective, open communication about student progress and behavior.
• Participate in student/parent conferences as needed.
• Coordinate with the Fine Arts Director regarding curriculum development.
• Individually develop, revise, and teach curriculum for classes currently offered.
• Maintain both an office/studio/classroom space, as well as assist with the larger theater space.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• A degree (preferably a Masters)
• One to three years experience in special education is preferred but not required
• Experience teaching students with learning disabilities and an understanding of different learning styles and skill levels
• Highly creative, flexible, and innovative teaching style that engages all types of learners
• Must be a team-player and able to build positive working relationships with colleagues
• Superior communication skills (both written and oral)
• Must be organized in planning/execution of lessons.
• Must be organized with materials/props/sets/costumes in theater and other spaces.
• Must have positive approach of classroom management.