Touring Technical Director
A TD on tour will oversee the transfer, implementation, and run of a production’s technical elements that has already been designed and tech’d.
Among their many duties, they are responsible for:
reading and interpreting venues’ technical riders, making sure they meet all the show’s requirements
liaising with the venue’s TD or PM to make sure the missing technical elements are provided
interpreting technical drawings, truckloads, and venue drawings
budget tracking and maintaining material and labor budgets for shows, overhead, and capital
preserving the ongoing; long-term “opening night” quality, the designer’s vision, and the artistic integrity of the production
maintaining a safe working environment at all times, by adhering to all established safety policies and procedures, tour rules and regulations
overseeing a team of technicians and local hires and all aspects of tour technical equipment
hiring and managing 3rd party vendors, including local labor companies for load-ins and load-outs
determining the necessary technical supports, such as lighting, sound, staging, and special needs, necessary for events and performances in advance of production and tour dates
recruiting, managing and retaining technicians, fly-ins, and any overhires
implementing, maintaining, and monitoring all policies to ensure a safe work environment in the backstage, front of house, and stage areas
overseeing all technical operations during performances and ensure smooth operation of the technical aspects of all productions
learning show tracks as needed including lighting, audio, show calling, and wardrobe in order to be a backup as a contingency plan
purchasing, leasing, and/or borrowing equipment as needed, within specified budgetary limits
providing a technical inventory of all equipment with recommendations for replacement, or refurbishment
Touring TDs have to be:
problem-solvers with the ability to find strategic solutions, during time constraints and at times a high-pressured environment
effective decision-makers, while under time and space constraints
diplomats and ambassadors, promoting a positive working relationship between the hosting venue and the visiting production
extremely safety conscious, making sure no technician, performer, or audience member suffers any bodily harm