We are currently looking for technicians to join our team for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024. Summerhall provides a challenging and exciting environment for a technician, requiring a range of skills and personal qualities and encouraging professional and personal growth.

We have a number of different roles to be filled, including venue technicians with a main responsibility for looking after an individual theatre space, swing technicians who will cover venue technician’s days off and assist with other technical provision onsite, and junior technicians who will assist venue technicians.

Role Description

The purpose of the fringe technician role is ultimately to provide effective support for all technical and production aspects of the venues, including, lighting, sound, AV, and stage management for events both in-house and with visiting companies.

The technicians will be members of the Technical Team and will report to the Production Manager. Each technician should be multi-skilled to some extent but can have key areas of expertise and experience.

More experienced technicians may be required to supervise and oversee less experienced technicians in a limited manner; this will be reflected in a tiered payment structure.

Contract term

Start date: 15^th or 22nd July (to be confirmed at offer stage, depending on exact role)

Finish date: 30^th  August

We also have a small number of short term contracts with finish dates of around 5^th august or 12^th August.

We are prepared to offer applicants some flexibility on start and finish dates as long as the key dates of 29^th July-26^th August are covered.

Fringe technicians will be engaged as self-employed freelancers, with responsibility for their own tax affairs.

Technicians will be required to work an average of 6 days a week over the contracted period. Shows in most venues run from 1000-2200, and once the festival commences there will be morning and evening shifts in each venue. We anticipate an average of 44-48 hours work per week and will guarantee a minimum payment equivalent to an average of 40 hours/week over the contracted period.

Pay will be on an hourly basis; exact rates will be discussed at the offer stage but range from £12.50 per hour to £14.50 per hour.

In the event of illness or other unforeseen circumstances technicians may be asked to work extra hours at short notice.

Direct Manager

Summerhall Production Manager – Brian Hutchison
Summerhall Technical Coordinator – George Cort

Key Internal Relationships

Summerhall General Manager, Box Office Manager, Front of House staff, other technical staff.

Key External Relationships

Visiting Companies, especially their technicians and managers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Principal areas of responsibility for all technicians will include:

• The installation, set-up and subsequent removal of technical equipment in all performance venues.
• Assist visiting companies with technical rehearsals, including programming lighting desks, setting up any required technical equipment and overseeing use of company storage spaces.
• To welcome visiting companies and artists on arrival to ensure that all stage and technical facilities are prepared for use as directed.
• Monitor and support visiting companies throughout the run.
• Ensuring that all backstage facilities and equipment are prepared and maintained to the highest standard. Ensuring that all backstage areas and dressing rooms are kept clean and tidy.
• Assist in the daily turn rounds between shows, as well as the initial venue get-ins and subsequent get-outs.
• Ensure high standards of health and safety are adhered to by visiting companies, and reporting any breaches or problems to management.
• Operate shows as required, by advance arrangement with the production manager/coordinator.
• Complete and return daily show reports as directed.
• To undertake other reasonable duties and responsibilities as requested by the Production Manager or Coordinator.
• Keep full records of all shows and venue setups including turnaround notes, cue sheets and any other paperwork required to enable replacement technicians to run venues.
• Where appropriate, supervise and oversee the work of less experienced technicians and help build their understanding of the venues and their systems.

Candidate requirements – essential

• Several years experience as a professional technician, preferably with a theatrical background.
• Good knowledge of theatrical and performance lighting technology, including rigging, patching, focussing and programming generic and LED lighting fixtures.
• Competent with setup and use of PA systems for performance and playback.
• Strong communication skills
• Good working knowledge of health and safety in an events context
• Ability to self organise and keep clear records
• Excellent problem solving and fault finding skills
• Good understanding of health and safety legislation and best practise
• Full legal rights to work in the UK

Candidate requirements – Desirable

• Experience with Yamaha, Midas or Allen & Heath digital sound desks
• Experience with ETC Ion/EOS, Zero 88 FLX, MA2 or MA3 lighting desks
• Experience with D&B and Nexo sound systems
• Experience with rigging, maintenance and programming of Moving Light Fixtures.
• PASMA ticket
• Experience supervising less experienced technicians.

Remuneration

• £12.50-£14.50 per hour depending on experience and responsibilities.
• A show op bonus of £16 per performance will be paid for shows where the venue technician is required to operate cues during the performance.
• All staff will receive a staff pass, which grants first-come first-served access to shows which are not sold out, and discounted food and drink on some products at Summerhall catering outlets.

How to Apply

Please apply by email with a CV and covering letter to Recruitment@summerhall.co.uk, clearly stating ‘Fringe Technician 2024’ in the subject line of the email.