Tech Operator – In the Night Garden Live

Tech Operator – In the Night Garden Live

Company profile

Minor Entertainment was created in 2009 to create spectacular family theatre events in unique spaces. Over the last eight years our first production, In the Night Garden Live (ItNGL), has toured across the UK in a purpose-built inflatable theatre and has been seen by over 900,000 people. In 2018, ItNGL tours again to 4 venues – starting at The O2, before visiting Richmond, Birmingham and Manchester.

Role summary

ItNGL tours in an inflatable Showdome and you will operate each show from the technical control position, carry out daily checks and resolve any system issues. ItNGL runs on timecode using a Catalyst media server. You will report to the Company Stage Manager.

Dates and hours

Contract dates would be Sunday 29 April to Sunday 19 August 2018. You’ll spend approximately three weeks based at each venue the tour visits. Rehearsals will be at the Union Chapel in Islington, London for three weeks from Monday 30 April.

Current tour dates are as follows:
• The O2, London (Performance dates: Thurs 24 May – Sat 9 June)
• Old Deer Park, Richmond (Performance dates: Sat 16 June – Sun 1 July)
• Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham (Performance dates: Sat 7 July – Sun 22 July)
• The Trafford Centre, Manchester (Performance dates: Sat 28 July – Sun 19 August)

When performing, the weekly schedule will include 4 shows per day with 1 day off per week (usually Tuesday). Show times are 10.00, 12.00, 14.00 and 16.00. Anticipated hours on site for the Tech Operator are 08.00 – 18.00 daily (breaks included in this period).

Person specification

Whilst you might not have toured in an inflatable Showdome before, you’ll have solid technical experience in a theatre or event context. You’ll have toured before or be excited to try it. You’ll have a broad general knowledge of technical theatre. You’ll have operated LX, sound and AV systems before. You’ll ideally have some experience of animatronics and be familiar with QLab, Catalyst media server and ETC Ion. You work hard and you’re a great person to have in a team. You’re proactive, flexible and attentive to detail. You want our show to always look its best.

Job description

• During rehearsals and shows you’ll operate LX/sound/AV.
• You’ll make small amendments to the show track and cues as required.
• You’ll assist with the get-in and get-out of the rehearsal room.
• You’ll assist with the technical & theatrical get-in and get-out at each performance city.
• You’ll power-up the systems on the morning of each performance day.
• You’ll carry out a daily rig-check ensuring that bulbs are replaced promptly and spares reordered.
• You’ll operate confetti and bubble machines, ensuring that consumables are reordered as needed.
• You’ll record and edit FOH announcements as needed.
• You’ll respond quickly in the event of system issues and troubleshoot accordingly.
• You’ll ensure that technical standards are kept high.
• You’ll carry out other duties as reasonably requested by the Company Stage Manager or the producers in order to keep the show running smoothly and ensure the effective management of the touring company

Fee and expenses

For a standard 6-day week at the Showdome you will earn in the range of £500 – £550, depending on experience.

When you are working in Birmingham or Manchester we’ll provide one standard, off-peak return rail ticket from the station nearest to your home address to each venue and pay a living away allowance of £35.71 per night subject to a minimum of 7 nights (equivalent to £250 for 7 nights). If you don’t live in London, we may also be able to pay a subsistence allowance to assist with accommodation expenses whilst you are working in London.

Holiday

You’ll usually have a few days off between performance venues so holiday dates will be designated throughout the tour in line with statutory entitlements. On holiday days you’ll be paid in line with your average earnings throughout the tour.

How to apply

Please email a covering letter and your CV as soon as possible to tech.nightgarden@minorentertainment.com with “Tech Operator application” in the subject line. Please let us know in your application where you saw the job advertised.

In your covering letter please explain:
1) Why you want to work in our touring inflatable theatre;
2) Why you’re the person we should hire to help make sure the shows run smoothly;
3) What specific relevant experience you can bring to the role.

Deadline

Minor Entertainment will be holding interviews at our London office on a rolling basis over the next few weeks, so please apply ASAP to have the best chance of being appointed. If this job is still advertised on our website we are still open to applications.