Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Technical Director (TD)?

In short, a Technical Director is a Senior Project Manager that manages and represents all the technical departments in live entertainment. These departments include (but are not limited to): Lighting, Scenic, Props, Rigging, Audio, Video, Logistics, and Wardrobe. Technical Directors make sure the vision of the Director and Designers is realized while keeping all departments on task and in budget.

There are many different types of Technical Directors for theatre and live productions. These are the different types of Technical Directors I have been:

  • Producing house TD: when a theatre produces their own shows in-house, the Technical Director is tasked with the following duties.

  • Receiving/Presenting house TD: Serves as the technical representative of the theatre for visiting productions. The TD typically oversees all technical departments in the theatre.

  • Touring TD: When a show has been designed and built, the TD oversees (and often writes) the show’s technical rider, does all the preliminary legwork to make sure the show’s technical needs are being met in the visiting theatre, oversees the technical teams in loading in, running, and loading out the show. For a more detailed description click here.

  • Circus creation TD: A combination of the above with the added features of being involved in the creation of a show that is not based on a script while also overseeing acrobatic design and safety.

What is a Technical Manager?

A technical manager is a project manager with in-depth technical knowledge that typically answers to the the Head of Production or Technical Director. Often a lead in charge of a group of contractors in an extra large project. In my case, I was also the technical translator (English/French <-> Spanish) for the touring circus company. Since theatre has a very specific vocabulary finding a skilled technical translator is a must!

What is an Assistant Technical Director (ATD)?

When in a producing house, the ATD assists the TD with drafting all the technical drawings (in AutoCAD or Vectorworks) for the in-house carpenters to build and the detailed budgeting of the show, as well as any other tasks the TD assigns.

What is a Production Manager (PM)?

A project manager that keeps everyone on task, communicating, on time, and (hopefully) under budget. A good description lives here.

ON A MORE PERSONAL NOTE…

What is important to you?

  • I care deeply about striving to be inclusive, intentional, and kind with my actions, words, and thoughts.

  • I think a lot about how to best serve others and encourage the people around me.

  • I believe strongly in pursuing personal growth through learning, reading, movement, and therapy.

  • I firmly endorse that knowledge should be shared freely, with anyone that wants it, with patience and kindness.

What else are you good at?

  • Organizing spaces and people, making the aesthetically pleasing (can include a good looking spreadsheet), and finding solutions to all sorts of things energizes me! I especially enjoy doing it alongside others, in a team, working towards a common goal. I prefer not to be a solo-artist.

  • I am also a carpenter, a fabricator, a painter, a sewer, and have extra-ordinary tweezer dexterity.

How countries have you worked in/visited?

Check out this map.

What’s your Enneagram number?

I am a 7! Some days I am a 7w6, other days I am a 7w8. Read about 7’s here or about the Enneagram here.

How do I get in touch with you? I have more questions...

Send me a note via the contact page. I would love to hear from you!