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Job Description / Duties

The Head of Lighting and Digital supports the Production department in the interpretation, coordination, and implementation of lighting designs and show-related digital media elements for all COC activities. Working with Lighting Designers, Projection Designers, Assistant Lighting Designers, Technical Directors, and Production Electricians, the person in this role shall provide excellent communication and dissemination of all information related to the lighting department and see through the preparation, installation, completion, and strike of all lighting designs.

The ideal candidate is well-organized, highly collaborative, and passionate for theatrical lighting and projection design, as well as enthusiastic about all steps in the lighting design and projection process. They will have experience working with and creating repertory lighting plots and digital media systems, the transposition and interpretation of designs to hang in proscenium venues, coordinating equipment needs (including rental equipment from outside suppliers), and tracking and maintaining lighting inventories and budgets.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Pre-production
• Evaluate previous productions in preparation for preliminary lighting designs
• Work closely with lighting designers to effectively implement designs into COC venues and repertory lighting plots
• Seek efficiencies, alternatives and improvements in lighting plots, including fixture substitutions, alternate positioning, and the elimination of unused equipment
• Confirm, source, and plan all required special theatrical effects such as fog haze or smoke and disseminate HVAC and air handling schedules to relevant COC and Four Seasons Centre staff
• Collaborate closely with COC production staff to confirm lighting designs’ function and seamlessly integrate with other departments
• Create detailed drawings that show all lighting positions
• Produce all the documentation required for electricians during install and load-ins
• Work with Assistant Lighting Designers (ALDs) to create a final lighting plot, schedules for all fixtures (channel hook-ups, instrument schedules, gobo loads, practicals), running sheets, and follow spot paperwork
• Coordinate digital media content and playback systems
• Confirm storage plans and offstage requirements
• Confirm schedule requirements for load-in and load-out, and focus and cueing sessions
• Source rental and specialty lighting equipment and produce rental equipment lists
• Plan pre-production and preparation schedules for electricians and ALDs prior to load-ins
• Facilitate an efficient lighting focus including calling focus when required
• On-site supervision of hang, focus, cuing and rehearsals

Production
• Track work notes and maintain communication with Electricians, Lighting Designers, Projection Designers and all departments to advise on day-to-day scheduling needs of the lighting department
• Update all lighting and digital media documentation and compile archival packages
• Work closely with Manager, Digital Production to adapt lighting and digital media designs for digital capture
• Act as Lighting or Projections Designer when required

General
• Keep up-to-date records of lighting and digital media-related forecast budgets, purchases, and expenses
• Maintain COC and Four Seasons Centre lighting and digital media department inventories
• Coordinate maintenance and upkeep of COC and Four Seasons Centre equipment
• Hire Assistant Lighting Designers, and provide training on current workflows and standard practices
• Provide Production Management with dates for submission of preliminary and final lighting designs

Qualifications / Required Skills

• Post-Secondary degree or diploma in Technical Theatre with specialty in Lighting and Projection Design, or relevant experience
• Minimum five years’ experience as a professional lighting designer
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Excellent time management and problem solving abilities
• Ability to work both independently and with a team
• Flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
• Shows patience, politeness, and compromise in the creation of collaborative artistic works
• Highly organized
• Advanced knowledge of Vectorworks, Lightwright, and Microsoft Suite
• Knowledge of EOS programming and navigation of basic and advanced controls
• Knowledge of digital media playback software such as PRG Mbox and D3
• Technical knowledge related to hanging, circuiting, and focusing conventional lights, moving light heads, and accessories
• Technical knowledge of projection and digital media infrastructure and distribution
• Knowledge of projection, set, and lighting design challenges in repertory environments
• Knowledge of lighting and digital media design for filmed productions an asset
• Knowledge of operatic canon and prior work in opera or musical theatre an asset

Additional Information

This is an annual contract based on 42 weeks per year including two weeks’ vacation.

Salary Range $1,450-$1,550 CAD per week commensurate with experience

As Canada's largest opera company, the COC deeply values equity and diversity across all levels of the organization and believes in fostering an inclusive, discrimination-free environment that fully supports our team’s personal and collective success. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects our community, our city, and our country and, in turn, the COC welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who share and embrace these values of anti-racism and inclusion.

The COC is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in all parts of the hiring process. If you require an accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

The Canadian Opera Company thanks all applicants in advance, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls or agencies please.

Salary: $1,450-$1,550 CAD per week

Contact Information

applications@coc.ca

Employer Profile

Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. General Director Perryn Leech joined the company in 2021, forming a leadership team with Music Director Johannes Debus and Deputy General Director Christie Darville. The COC enjoys a loyal audience, including a dedicated base of subscribers, and has an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. Its diverse repertoire includes new commissions and productions, local and international collaborations with leading opera companies and festivals, and attracts the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The COC Academy is an incubator for the future of the art form, nurturing Canada’s new wave of opera creators with customized training and support. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, hailed internationally as one of the finest in the world. For more information, visit coc.ca.