Women in Theatre Programme – Assistant Lighting Designer and Assistant Sound Designer
In 2021 the Women in Theatre Program will offer two paid Assistant Designer opportunities for female-identifying creatives dedicating their professional practice to Sound and Lighting design.
These positions are suitable for practitioners with a minimum of three years’ career experience who are interested in designing for large-scale venues and productions. In addition to the placement, this professional development opportunity will provide insight into the processes, considerations and operations of a mainstage company through one on one meetings with MTC staff, at mutually convenient times.
Successful applicants will receive a bursary of $5,500 equivalent of six weeks’ full-time employment.
For both streams, we welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, particularly First Peoples and those from other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Interstate applicants are welcome to apply, however, priority will be given to Victorian residents.
Applications are now open, closing COB Monday 10 May 2021.
ASSISTANT LIGHTING DESIGNER – CYRANO by Virginia Gay (after Edmond Rostand)
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Key Dates:
Rehearsals commence: Monday 21 June 2021
Bump in: Saturday 24 July 2021
First preview: Saturday 21 July 2021
Opening performance: Thursday 5 August 2021
Applicants must be available to commit to the production from Monday 21 June – Thursday 5 August 2021.
Successful applicants will be invited to relevant discussions and presentations ahead of rehearsals, and attendance during the season may also be encouraged.
Responsibilities:
- Be present for design discussions with the creative team, as invited by the Lighting Designer
- Attend all pre-production/technical meetings in advance of the season. At times, this may mean representing the Lighting Designer if they are unable to be present, with a commitment to gathering and passing on all relevant information between the designer and the creative team or MTC.
- Work with and assist the Lighting Designer during the rehearsal process- this may include research, attendance and information gathering when they are unable to attend, assisting with technical drawings and cue synopsis.
- Attend all Production Meetings and technical discussions throughout rehearsal period.
- Attend production week and preview performances, assisting the Lighting Designer and Technical team as requested – this may include taking detailed focus notes, keeping cue synopsis updated, overseeing the completion of technical notes as requested by the Lighting Designer.
- Should the production tour/transfer and the Lighting Designer is unable to attend or additional assistance is required, MTC may engage the Assistant for the transfer. This engagement will be a separate negotiation.
ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGNER – SUNDAY by Anthony Weigh
Composer & Sound Designer: Jethro Woodward
Key Dates:
Rehearsals commence: Monday 9 August 2021
Bump in: Saturday 11 September 2021
First preview: Saturday 18 September 2021
Opening performance: Thursday 23 September 2021
Applicants must be available to commit to the production from Monday 9 August – Thursday 23 September 2021.
Successful applicants will be invited to relevant discussions and presentations ahead of rehearsals, and attendance during the season may also be encouraged.
Responsibilities:
- Be present for design discussions with the creative team, as invited by the Sound Designer
- Attend all pre-production/technical meetings in advance of the season. At times, this may mean representing the Sound Designer if they are unable to be present, with a commitment to gathering and passing on all relevant information between the designer and the creative team or MTC.
- Work with and assist the Sound Designer during the rehearsal process- this may include research, sourcing of sound files or effects, attendance and information gathering when they are unable to attend, assisting with studio recordings, QLAB Programming, updating cue synopsis.
- Attend all Production Meetings and technical discussions throughout rehearsal period.
- Attend production week and preview performances, assisting to the Sound Designer and Technical team as requested – this may include keeping cue synopsis updated, monitoring sound levels, overseeing the completion of technical notes as requested by the Sound Designer.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following to womenintheatre@mtc.com.au by COB Monday 10 May 2021:
- Full name, contact details, which position you are applying for and confirmation that you are available for the full engagement.
- A statement attesting to your desire to work in venues and for companies of scale, and how your current level of experience demonstrates that you have the relevant skills and knowledge to do so (500 word max.).
- A statement that attests to gaps you have identified in your skills and knowledge that this opportunity could assist with addressing (200 word max.)
- Please attach a copy of your CV that demonstrates four years of experience in your chosen field or a track record of designing at least six professional productions*. Please ensure your CV contains contact details for two professional referees who have collaborated with you as a designer.
*MTC defines ‘professional productions’ as having been staged as a season (not a one-off performance), where audience paid to attend and the production was reviewed by media; or, in the case of schools touring productions, where the work needs to have been seen by a number of schools groups in an extended touring schools circuit.
