The Savannah Country Day School is seeking a full-time Technical Theatre Director for the 2026-2027 academic year.  Under the general to limited supervision of the Director of Fine & Performing Arts, the Technical Theatre Director will manage a student-centered Technical Theatre program for the Upper School.  This program would also support an award-winning Theatre Arts Program in the Middle and Upper Schools by being the lead scenic and lighting designer.  This role may include occasional night and weekend work.
Typical duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Teaches Technical Theatre classes for the Upper School that include scenic, lighting and sound design theory and practice.
• Supervises student technical crews and further develops a training program to build an ongoing student technical production team, to include backstage run crew, sound and light board operators, and spot operators. Develops a cohort of students who are trained to meet the demands of technical theatre production and work effectively as a team.
• Serves as the lead scenic and lighting designer for six (6) Upper, Middle, and Lower School theatre productions each year. It is possible to hire out one or more design positions on a show-by-show basis.  Design responsibilities will include:
  • Creating construction drawings 
  • Creating cut lists and planning for materials needed
  • Completing the building of the scenery
  • Completing any changes to the lighting plot needed
  • Completing any setup of staging needed
  • Completing the setup of any sound equipment needed.
  • Supervising the cleanliness and organization of the backstage area during all productions
• Manages the Jelks Auditorium, a 368-seat performance venue. This includes hanging and focusing lights for each event and providing sound/AV needs for assemblies and events. 
• Operates, maintains, and safeguards the technical assets of the theatre. Supervises the use of lighting, sound, communications equipment, and the use and maintenance of stage facilities.
• Determines the necessary technical supports, such as lighting, sound, staging, and special needs necessary for events and performances presented at the facility in advance of production dates.
• Monitors the condition of equipment, including lighting, sound, and rigging equipment; arranges for necessary repair or replacement within budgetary constraints; performs preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Assists with the preparation and control of production budgets; maintains inventory and orders specialized supplies.
• Attends Tech Week rehearsals, to supervise and assist in the technical aspects of mounting each production.
• Makes recommendations to the Director of Fine and Performing Arts regarding capital purchases of technical equipment.
• Enforces applicable safety practices in the theatre/classroom environment.

Physical Demands
Work is typically performed in a theatre/classroom environment with intermittent sitting, standing, or walking in various settings.  The employee occasionally lifts or carries objects of a medium weight, up to 50 pounds.  Must be able to lift and work on materials necessary for theatre set design and use building/construction equipment.  The ability to climb and work at heights/on ladders is required.   Full range of hand and finger motion may be utilized for data entry purposes.

To Apply
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to James Venhaus, Director of Fine and Performing Arts, jvenhaus@savcds.org.  Candidates must pass a criminal background check and reference check.

About Us
Savannah Country Day traces its origins back to the 1905 founding of The Pape School, an institution long recognized for its academic excellence and college preparatory curriculum. Led by a group of visionary parents who saw the continued need for a first-rate college preparatory school in Savannah, the founders of Savannah Country Day built upon the assets of the Pape School and created a school with a recognized tradition of academic excellence across the southeast.  Today, Savannah Country Day School is Savannah's preeminent college preparatory school providing a rigorous, yet supportive learning environment for a wide variety of motivated learners. Enrolling over 1000 students ranging from infants to 12^th grade, SCDS is truly a family school.  Situated on a beautiful, 65-acre campus on the south side of historic Savannah, Georgia, SCDS has a 6:1 student to teacher ratio, an unparalleled arts program, and a full range of athletic and extracurricular opportunities.  Significant funds are available for faculty professional development and our faculty average 21 years of experience with 85% of Upper School faculty holding advanced degrees.
Interested candidates can view more about the school on our website, www.savcds.org. 

Inclusion at Savannah Country Day School

The Savannah Country Day School is guided by the school’s mission statement which includes:

• that each student's life is enriched in a diverse community where differences among people are affirmed and celebrated.

• that the school shares with families the responsibility for fostering in each student strength of character, a sense of personal responsibility, and an attitude of faith, reverence, and tolerance.

SCDS seeks candidates of all cultures and backgrounds who embrace the school’s mission of diversity, are eager to engage in the work of inclusion and have a desire to join a community of diverse individuals who celebrate their similarities while also recognizing their individuality.  

Equal Opportunity Employer

• Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Theatre or a related field from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience designing scenery and lighting for theatre productions. 
• Proficiency in programming a light board, working with QLab or other sound design software, and experience training students to do so.
• Aptitude with Google Suite, QLab, ION Lighting Console, and VectorWorks/AutoCAD.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a willingness to function as part of the Fine & Performing Arts Team.
• Sense of humor, flexibility, and a strong desire to work with children/young adults.
• Attendance at occasional evening and weekend functions is required.

About The Savannah Country Day School

Savannah Country Day School is an Early Childhood–Grade 12 co-educational day school of about 900 students. The school is one of the strongest in the Southeast. Our students go on from SCDS to excel at colleges all over the country. Founded in 1955, the school sits on a beautiful 65-acre campus with numerous classroom buildings, several playing fields, three gymnasiums, and two state-of-the-art libraries. The campus culture is informal and relaxed, but expectations of students are high in all areas. Besides a strong academic program, the school has very strong programs in the fine arts, athletics, and service learning.

Connections working at The Savannah Country Day School