TECHNICAL STAGE MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION / VIOLA’S
ROOM
Responsible to: Production Manager, Head of Production and General Manager
Responsible for: Deputy Technical Manager, Technicians, Technical Deps, Design Assistant
Key relationships: Production Coordinator, Creative Team, FOH / Operations Team, Buildings
Team and Producers.
Fee: £900 per week
Contract: Fixed-term full time from approximately early May - w/c 23rd September (with
possibility of extension)
Deadline for applications: 10am on Tuesday 30th April
Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Shortlisted
candidates will be notified in due course. If you are interested in this role, we encourage you to
submit your application as early as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy as soon
as we have received sufficient applications for the role.
How to apply: Complete the application form here including your CV and cover letter.
If you have any questions or are experiencing any difficulties with the application process,
please contact [email protected].
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 2000 by Felix Barrett MBE, Punchdrunk is widely recognised as the “pioneer of the
‘immersive theatre’ phenomenon” (The Telegraph). The company is best known for their mask
shows, a form of theatre in which roaming audiences experience epic storytelling inside
singular, sensory worlds. These productions have been cited amongst the 40 creative
moments that changed culture (Creative Review) and currently play across three continents:
Sleep No More, New York has been running since 2011; Sleep No More, Shanghai (2016 -
present) is the longest-running international show in China; and The Burnt City, London has
welcomed over 200,000 audiences since it opened in March 2022. In March 2024, Punchdrunk
announced their latest project, Viola's Room, opening in London in May 2024.
Alongside these landmark theatrical productions, Punchdrunk has taken its ground-breaking
approach to live experiences and created cross-cultural collaborations in music, tech, fashion
and TV - from projects with Rihanna to Jack White, Louis Vuitton to Alexander McQueen, and
from Samsung to Brad Pitt’s Plan B Studios. The company was listed amongst the 50 most
influential artists of the last 50 years (Sky Arts, 2022) alongside David Bowie, Sir Steve McQueen
and Vivienne Westwood.
Previous projects include: The Third Day (BAFTA-nominated TV series starring Jude Law and
Naomie Harris with HBO and Sky Studios), Believe Your Eyes (with Samsung, 58th Venice
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Biennale, 837, ArtBasel and Cannes 2016), ANTIdiary (with Rihanna and Roc Nation), The
Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable (with the National Theatre), The Crash of the Elysium
(Manchester International Festival), The Duchess of Malfi (with ENO), Sleep No More (with the
American Repertory Theatre), It Felt Like A Kiss (with Adam Curtis and Damon Albarn,
Manchester International Festival), Tunnel 228 (in collaboration with The Old Vic), The Masque
of the Red Death (with Battersea Arts Centre), and Faust (in collaboration with the National
Theatre).
THE ROLE
Punchdrunk is seeking an experienced Technical Stage Manager, who will support and
manage the production running team for Punchdrunk's new groundbreaking show Viola’s
Room.
The Technical Stage Manager will lead a team of technicians and a design assistant to ensure
that the production is presented and maintained at the highest possible standards.
They will be responsible for scheduling the technical team, reacting to and reporting on any
technical or maintenance issues and implementing show running related processes and
procedures as well as playing an active part within the show running needs. They will be
customer facing at times due to the nature of the production and will work collaboratively
with the FOH and Operational teams.
TECHNICAL SHOW OVERVIEW
Viola’s Room is a groundbreaking new show developed and produced by Punchdrunk.
The Technical Stage Manager will be in charge of making sure that all production aspects of
the show are well maintained and run - This includes the set, dressing, and technical aspects.
We are looking for a great communicator and team player with great problem-solving skills.
The Technical Stage Manager will be responsible for the smooth technical running of a pulsed
entry show, with audiences entering the show in intervals which will make for a technically
challenging set up. They will be in charge not only for the technical elements of the show but
management and training of a team of technicians that will maintain and run the production.
We are looking for an individual who can juggle the possible challenges of an Audio system
that has been tailor made for a walk through experience, which is able to sync up to other
show control elements, such as Lighting and Automation.
The lighting installation is mainly practical based, with few traditional theatre lighting sources.
All running on EOS and triggered via LTC timecode. The ideal candidate will have experience
in the field of integrated lighting installations.
The design is true to Punchdrunk's roots with “touch real” and sensory at the heart of the
design, which is likely to need an amount of physical maintenance / support.
JOB DESCRIPTION | RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
● Line Managing and scheduling a team of technicians, deputy technical manager,
freelance deps and the design assistant.
● Lead, manage and report on technical and design preventative and reactive
maintenance with the support of the Production Coordinator, Design Assistant and
Production Manager.
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● Actively take part in a technical show role for each show, comprising of a Show Control
Operator, Headphone Technician and Technical Runner.
● Ensuring the design and technical reset is completed at the end of each day to a high
standard.
● Leading on any technical issues, ensuring comprehensive fault finding procedures are
outlined and adhered to.
● Attend and/or Chair meetings as required by the Production or General Manager, such
as H&S and Operation meetings.
● In conjunction with the Show Duty Manager and inline with predetermined
procedures, be responsible for show critical decision making, such as show stops,
resets, evacuations etc.
● Enforce and take ownership of H&S policies as outlined by the Production Manager and
H&S advisor and report and respond to all H&S incidents.
● As part of the reset, and in conjunction with the Buildings Team ensure that the
experience is cleaned to a high standard.
● Working collaboratively and closely with all departments, particularly the operations
team, acknowledging that given the nature of this project, there are elements of hybrid
and shared responsibilities required compared to traditional theatrical productions.
● Adhering to all budgets and following financial procedures as designated by the
Producers and other relevant members of the team.
● Keeping show paperwork up to date, such as power on / off, setting checklists,
maintenance rotas, troubleshooting guides etc.
● Any other responsibilities as reasonably required by a Technical Stage Manager on a
first class immersive production.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential
● Proven Head of Department experience in large scale technical theatre, with a strong
background in lighting or sound and basic understanding of network systems.
● Proficiency in budgeting, scheduling and staff management within a theatre
production context.
● Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams,
including producers, operations team, directors and designers.
● Detail-oriented with excellent problem-solving abilities to address technical challenges
in real time.
● Familiarity with industry-standard software and equipment related to lighting, sound
and network configurations.
● Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and adapt to changing production
requirements.
● Ability to lead, manage and motivate technical production teams effectively.
● Knowledge of safety regulations and protocols within the theatre and entertainment
industry.
● Clear passion for delivering the best audience experience possible.
● Passion for a technical management role in an untraditional setup and environment
● Solutions oriented mentality and desire to work collaboratively with the team in
mounting a brand new production
● Familiarity with QLab, and ETC Eos operating systems.
Desirable
● Experience integrating bespoke technology into theatrical environments.
● Managed multiple battery operated devices and monitoring battery health over the
course of a production, such as mics or IEM packs.
● Advanced network knowledge.
● Previous experience on ‘pulsed entry’ shows.
● Legionella Awareness certificate.
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● IOSH Managing Safely for Theatres.
● Experience with LTC timecode.
WORKING HOURS
● Full time. As reasonably required to deliver the role responsibilities.
● Weekend working will be required.
ENGAGEMENT TERMS
● Contract: Fixed-term
● Place of Work: Punchdrunk’s home in Woolwich
● £900 per week, depending on experience
NOTES TO APPLICANTS
This is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not wholly comprehensive and may be
reviewed with the post holder and the line manager from time to time.
If you are called for an interview you will be required to sign Punchdrunk Non-Disclosure
Agreement in advance of the meeting.
All applicants must be eligible to work within the UK.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please complete the application form here, providing your CV and a brief statement
(maximum 2 A4 sides) describing your suitability for the position and specifically how your
experience matches the person specification.
If you have any questions or are experiencing any difficulties with the application process,
please contact us at [email protected].
Applicants should provide contact details for two references and we will seek your permission
before making direct contact with any referees. Please note that it is likely we will seek to take
up 1 reference for candidates progressing to a second interview, prior to making an offer.
As an Equal Opportunities Employer, Punchdrunk welcomes applications from all sectors of
the community, regardless of gender, age, race, sexuality or disability and makes
appointments based solely on ability to fulfill the duties of the post. Candidates who are
shortlisted for an interview will be given the opportunity to specify any access needs so that
appropriate arrangements can be made.
RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
Deadline for applications: 10am on Tuesday 30th April
Interviews: On a rolling basis
Contract commences: As soon as possible
If you are interested in this role, we encourage you to submit your application as early as
possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy as soon as we have received sufficient
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applications for the role.
