The Maddermarket Theatre

A professionally led community theatre, located in the heart of historic Norwich and home to The Norwich Players. The Maddermarket operates year-round as both an amateur producing theatre and a professional receiving house. Its combined programme of in-house and external work makes it one of the busiest theatre buildings in the East of England.

The theatre boasts a dedicated and diverse community of volunteers who staff roles across all areas of the organisation; onstage, backstage and front of house. The Maddermarket is committed to providing quality of experience and diversity of opportunity to both its audience and its volunteers.

Management Structure

The theatre is led by The General Manager and The Director of Productions. The General Manager is responsible for the financial, logistical and marketing operations of the building. The Director of Productions is responsible for artistic oversight and delivery of all in-house work, and is the principal director of productions by The Norwich Players. The theatre’s operations are overseen by a board of Trustees, elected from membership of The Norwich Players. The Director of Productions reports both to The General Manager and to the Board of Trustees. The General Manager reports directly to the board.

The Job – Head of Production

The Head of Production will have responsibility for the provision of technical and logistical support for both in house and external shows. They will report directly to both The General Manager and The Director of Productions. The role includes working directly with volunteers in both a supervisory and training capacity, and supporting the theatres management team.

Duties and Responsibility

In-house Shows:

  • Responsible for scheduling, overseeing and coordinating production processes, including the design process and build, fit-up, technical week and get-out.
  • Assisting the Director of Productions and the General Manager in setting production budgets.
  • Responsible for costing production designs in liaison with the Theatre Carpenter.
  • Responsible for monitoring and administrating production expenditure and keeping productions on budget.
  • Working in partnership with the Director of Productions to assess production needs and staff production roles accordingly.
  • Responsible for scheduling and chairing production meetings in liaison with the Director of Productions.
  • Working closely with the Theatre Carpenter to plan and monitor build and fit-up schedules.
  • Responsible for organising technical provision in liaison with lighting and sound designers.
  • Responsible for scheduling rotas for LX/Sound operators.
  • Covering LX/Sound operators as required.
  • Providing set build assistance to the Theatre Carpenter as required.

External Shows:

  • Liaise with all visiting productions to ensure their technical requirements are met.
  • Ensure visiting productions rider specifications are met in person or organise a competent stand-in as agreed with the General Manager.
  • Supervise the setting up and breaking down of all visiting productions or organise a competent stand in as agreed with the General Manager.
  • Ensure the efficient running of all visiting productions that use any space in the theatre to include controlling the house opening (max 20 minutes before show time), start time, and interval length having regard to FOH Manager requirements.
  • Ensure all visiting shows have completed a risk assessment and that they adhere to the Health and Safety of the building.

Training & volunteers:

  • Responsible for creating a backstage training programme to run in conjunction with the Theatre’s main volunteer training programme for front of house.
  • Responsible for leading training ofbackstage volunteers, including stage management, design, lights and sound.
  • Assisting the Director of Productions in the recruitment of backstage volunteers and their appropriate assignment to productions.
  • Working with the Director of Productions to create a new feedback model for the backstage volunteer experience.

Health & Safety:

  • Ensure that the Company’s Health & Safety policy is carried out in all areas of the theatre and, in conjunction with the Theatre Carpenter, ensure all visitors and volunteers are made aware of all Health & Safety issues that may affect them.
  • Keep up to date risk assessments for all areas of backstage, including checks on all technical equipment.

Maintenance:

  • Be responsible for PAT testing all equipment in the Theatre.
  • Report any defects to the fabric of the building to the GM and, in conjunction with the Theatre Carpenter and whenever possible, carry out repairs.
  • Create, update and maintain the Theatre Maintenance log.
  • Be responsible for ensuring that all rehearsal spaces, backstage areas and dressing rooms are ready for usage and are appropriately set-up.

Education:

  • Provide support to Education and participation activities.

General:

  • Undertake general administration associated with the role including use ofemail and office based programmes.
  • Contribute to regular team meetings.
  • Comply with the organisation’s policies including equal opportunities, health and safety and child protection.
  • Carry out any other reasonable duties of a similar level of responsibility as appropriate.
  • To undertake any training necessary for the efficient execution of the post.

Salary – up to £22,000 depending on skills and experience

Full time position

Fixed term 2 year contract

Closing date: 12pm, Monday 24thApril 2017

Interviews: Tuesday 23rd May & Wednesday 24th May

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Attitude /
  • A ‘can do’ attitude with a resourceful approach to problem solving
  • Patience, diplomacy and tact.
  • Demonstrates initiative and personal leadership.
  • Ability to work as part of a team, have ideas and implement them with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to face challenges and adapt to changing circumstances with a positive and proactive attitude.
  • Willing to be flexible with working hours.
  • Ability to thrive in a busy creative environment and under pressure.
  • Ability to handle delicate situations with sensitivity and understanding.
/
  • Can demonstrate a commitment to the aims and objectives of the organisation and its projects.
  • Willingness and enthusiasm to develop new skills and experiences.

Skills /
  • Excellent planning and organisation skills.
  • Excellent communication skills with a wide variety of people, including volunteers and young people.
  • Developed and up to date knowledge of Q-lab.
  • Experience of rigging lights.
  • Maintenance skills including PAT testing.
  • Ability to proactively advise on technical designs.
/
  • Ability to accurately cost model boxes and production elements.
  • Ability to proactively advise on set build methods.

Experience /
  • Experience of working with non-theatre professionals in a leadership role.
  • Experience of creating and implementing production schedules.
  • Experience of working as part of a small team.
  • Experience of creating written policies and procedures, and their practical implementation.
  • Experience of programming and operating a variety of lighting boards.
  • Previous experience of teaching or training.
  • Experience of liaising with visiting companies/artists within a performance venue.
/
  • Previously worked in a community venue.
  • Experience of programming and operating aCongo junior lighting board.
  • Experience of set building and construction.
  • Experience of teaching Q-Lab.
  • Experience of teaching programming and rigging lights.
  • Previous experience of producing training materials and leading training for a range of backstage roles.

Qualifications /
  • ● A recognized UK qualification from full-time training in technical theatre and/or theatre production.
/
  • Current First aid certificate
  • Fire Marshall certificate.
  • Current driving License.
  • Current Working at eight qualification.
  • Current Manual Handling qualification.