We’re Hiring: EBYA Freelance Technical Manager

Extraordinary Bodies is looking for a freelance Technical Manager to collaborate on Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists’ live and digital performance programme on a part-time basis for 10 months in 2021.

The basics

Reports to: Children’s & Young People Team.
Location: Flexible but close to Poole, Dorset (EBYA meet in Poole for weekly rehearsal sessions and regular workshops).
Freelance fee: £200 day rate. Total contract approximately 28.5 days.
This is a part time contract spread across 10 Months.
Contract: March – December 2021.

The timeline

Applications deadline: 5pm on 18th February 2021
Interviews: 25th February 2021
Start date: Flexible, beginning of March 2021

About Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists

Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists is an inclusive theatre company for 16-30s in the Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset area. The company are closely linked to Extraordinary Bodies – a leading professional integrated circus company. Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists offers performance skills, training and mentoring from incredible professional artists with expertise in:

  • Theatre
  • Music 
  • Dance 
  • Aerial Circus Performance

Together we devise ambitious, challenging work which we perform across the UK. EBYA exists to support young artists at the start of their careers and bursary places are available.

Your responsibilities

Our next freelance Technical Manager will be a technical whizz supporting our inclusive youth performance company as we navigate new digital ways of working over the next year. Through lockdowns in 2020 we have successfully run inclusive Zoom workshops, rehearsals and digital sharing’s. You will be responsible for taking this to the next level and your skills, drive and passion will open up new digital possibilities for our creative performance- making. As freelance Technical Manager, you will also support all of the company’s technical requirements at weekly rehearsals, workshops and performances. You will help remove barriers to participation and open up the possibilities of remote connection – for example some of our artists may be shielding, isolating or not be able to travel to live sessions. Finally, you will ensure those accessing events remotely to have a high-quality experience which equals that of those in the room.

Your to do list as freelance Technical Manager

  • Manage the technical requirements for regular online workshops and rehearsals via Zoom.
  • Support the company to develop hybrid methods of working which combines artists together in a rehearsal space with digital remote link ups.
  • Lead on introducing new equipment (cameras, microphones, lighting etc) and/or software and setting up new digital experiments to develop the creative process.
  • Give clear instructions on how to upload film, audio and written work from home and set up clear and safeguarded digital systems for our participants.
  • Support live and digital shows as a technician.
  • Put access and inclusion at the heart of this work so that those facing barriers are at the centre of our creative digital practise in 2021 and beyond.
  • Contribute to risk assessments and lead on lighting and sound plans for thecompany.
  • Set and maintain excellent levels of safeguarding and health and safety withall the companies digital and live work.

Supporting the Children and Young People’s targets at Diverse City:

  • Devise and contribute to EBYA risk assessments.
  • Understand the importance of handling sensitive data on a need to know basis and to be GDPR compliant.
  • Actively contribute to regular CYP team meetings reviewing activity and planning.
  • Actively contribute to evaluation and documentation as required.

Planned Programming for 2021:

Weekly sessions
Thursday evenings during term time 6:30-8pm online via Zoom and/or at Lighthouse, Poole.
Weekend and school holiday workshops:
Easter holidays (w/c 5th April) x 4 days: Poole or Online
Weekend workshops in May and July (TBC): Poole

Performances (dates TBC)
July: European Youth Theatre Festival, Birmingham (Residential)
October: Funky Llama Festival, Plymouth
November: Lighthouse, Poole

We’d love to meet people who have the following

  • Experience of working or volunteering in a theatre or creative environment as a technician.
  • Excellent digital skills and confidence in using Q-Lab, Zoom, Dropbox, Vimeo, YouTube, projectors, soundboards, lighting rigs, etc. Experience of live-streaming would be beneficial.
  • Good research skills to support the company in finding the right technology and equipment to enhance the work. A problem-solving attitude.
  • Interest in the performing arts and a will to get involved in creative activity.
  • A friendly and positive attitude, quick to support tasks in a proactive way; encouraging enthusiasm and inclusion in others.
  • Understanding and ability to apply the social model of disability to the role.
  • Ability to adapt and grade communication to a wide range of people.
  • High standards of confidentiality, discretion, initiative and tact.
  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

And maybe a bit of this too:

  • Experience and knowledge of live-streaming.
  • Driving/clean driving license/business insurance or ability to get to rehearsal locations independently.
  • DBS check (we will arrange this if you don’t hold a current DBS check).

How to apply for our freelance Technical Manager role

If you think you are a good fit for the role, please send us your application by 5pm on the 18th February, and fill in our monitoring form (this will not be attached to your application) and our access audit so we can arrange access requirements. Your application must include:

  • Your CV (maximum 1-page A4) as well as names and contacts for 2 referees.
  • A short filmed statement to camera about yourself and how you fit this job role (max 3-4 minutes long).

Equality and diversity

We value equality and strive to promote diversity at all levels. Extraordinary Bodies welcome and actively seek applications from those currently underrepresented in our workforce and the arts community, particularly people of colour, and disabled people (as defined by the Equality Act 2010). We will guarantee an interview to any D/deaf or disabled candidate or person of colour who fulfils the criteria for the role. We are open to proposals of ways this role might be undertaken if our proposed structure presents barriers to any applicant.

Access

If you have any specific access requirements please tell us what they are in
the Access Audit and whether you are registered for an Access to Work grant when you apply.

If you would like the Job Description in another format or if you need further information, please contact info@diversecity.org.uk.