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