POSITION: Sound Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Production, Stage Operations

REPORTS TO: Stage Operations Director

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time; Annual; Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: $37/hr; medical, vision, and dental insurance; paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and paid holidays; paid parental and bereavement leave; flexible spending and health savings accounts; employer-sponsored life and disability insurance (short- and long-term), as well as voluntary supplemental insurances including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, pet, and legal plans; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution and match; free parking within walking distance; and additional benefits and perks.

LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is an in-person position reporting to our theaters located at 91 University Place in Princeton, NJ. Schedule includes frequent nights, weekends and some holidays, as determined by the production calendar. Weekly schedule will vary, with 40 hours guaranteed, depending on production needs and availability.

START DATE: Preferred start date of July 6, 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

McCarter Theatre Center is seeking a skilled and collaborative Sound Supervisor to lead all aspects of sound operations across our theatrical and presenting programming. Working under the direction of the Stage Operations Director, this role is responsible for the planning, execution, and day-to-day leadership of a department that touches every production we put on stage — from initial load-in through final strike. The Sound Supervisor ensures that every performance is supported by technically excellent, artistically responsive sound, while maintaining department systems and equipment and serving as a trusted partner to visiting designers, artists, and colleagues across the production team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES

· Interpret sound plots, paperwork, and technical specifications, and execute sound designs accurately and safely in accordance with the Sound Designer’s intent.

· Coordinate closely with Sound Designers, directors, and other production departments to realize designs, highlighting the intersections of the sound plot and design with other production areas.

· Collaborate with Designers and Production Management to refine and finalize sound designs within established budgetary and technical parameters.

· Run the sound console for tech and performances as scheduled/assigned.

· Coordinate staffing and labor needs with the Stage Operations Director, including advance planning for load-ins, focus calls, technical rehearsals, and strike.

· Coordinate backline rentals and outside sound vendor requirements for all presented performances.

· Operate as house sound engineer for presented events as needed.

· Maintain, test, and repair all sound systems, control infrastructure, and associated equipment to ensure safe and reliable operation.

· Track, organize, and manage sound budgets for shows and capital purchases, including forecasting needs and monitoring expenditures.

· Attend production meetings, load-ins, technical rehearsals, cueing sessions, and notes calls as scheduled, providing technical input and follow-through as needed.

· Develop and implement plans for upgrades, replacements, and future improvements to sound systems and equipment in support of artistic and operational goals.

· Participate in long-term production, facilities, and capital planning conversations related to sound, infrastructure, and technical systems.

· Participate in post-production evaluations and continuous improvement efforts to enhance workflow, safety, and artistic outcomes.

· Stay informed of health and safety issues regarding materials, equipment, and working environment; ensure compliance with all applicable codes, safety regulations, and industry best practices, including OSHA standards and theatre safety protocols.

· Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter's safety and community expectations policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff, guest artists, and other collaborators.

· Engage in the ongoing work of fostering an equitable and inclusive environment at McCarter. Actively seek ways to improve work practices to ensure greater accessibility, representation, and belonging for all, while upholding and exhibiting our stated values of “justice and joy, beauty and belonging.”

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Supervise a team of two full-time employees (Sound Technician, and Sound Engineer) and other part-time employees on a casual basis who may be assigned to sound work calls.

· Responsible for fostering an environment that promotes communal respect and excellence in collaboration.

· Conduct regular feedback and coaching conversations while providing ongoing training and development opportunities for staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Highly skilled audio engineer with experience in live mixing and playback for theatrical productions.

· Proficiency in industry-standard software, including Wireless Workbench and QLab; working knowledge of Microsoft Office or equivalent productivity tools.

· Strong knowledge of theatrical sound equipment, including Yamaha and Midas consoles, Dante networking and audio infrastructure, and ClearCom communication systems.

· Ability to read and interpret technical ground plans, sections, and sound plots.

· Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities across an active production schedule.

· Clear and effective communicator, both written and verbal.

· Experience supervising, scheduling, and directing the work of audio technicians, including overhire and part-time staff.

· Demonstrated ability to protect and execute a Sound Designer's artistic intent, with a strong ear for balance, clarity, and cue timing.

· A collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to work, with the ability to build effective relationships across a team of people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and work styles.

· This position requires a valid U.S. driver's license and successful completion of a background screening, including a motor vehicle record check, prior to position start date.

About McCarter Theatre Center

McCarter is one of the country's flagship theatres, a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts, and a key cultural anchor for Central New Jersey. Located on the campus of Princeton University and incorporated as an independent, charitable nonprofit, the company is a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. A home for new play development and world premieres, the company has launched numerous works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world. Among the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 7,500 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust arts-in-education offerings. The company offers more than 20 annual in-school residencies in classrooms in Princeton and Trenton, hosts schools from throughout the region for student matinee performances, and offers need-based scholarships to every one of its do...zens of educational after-school and summer programs each year. Co-led by Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and Executive Director Martin Miller, McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.

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Connections working at McCarter Theatre Center