BELGRADE THEATRE - JOB DESCRIPTION

Post: Assistant Technician (LX, Sound & Video) Employer: Belgrade TheatreDepartment: Production Line Manager: Technical ManagerReports to: Deputy Technical ManagerGrade: AssistantResponsible for:

Coventry has won the bid to be UK City of Culture 2021. It’s an exciting time to join the team

THE BELGRADE THEATRE’S VISION

The Belgrade Theatre is the largest producing Theatre in Coventry, England’s 11th most populous city and the second largest conurbation in the Midlands, and acts as the city and sub-region’s commercial and producing theatre.

We create theatre because it enriches our community and can fundamentally change peoples’ lives for the better.

Now established as one of England’s major producing houses, our mission is to grow the reach, excellence and engagement of all the work we produce and present.

We will provide a comprehensive performing arts service of the highest possible quality for Coventry and the surrounding regions and act as an ambassador for Coventry and the West Midlands when touring.

The Belgrade staff strive to be flexible, efficient and effective team workers.

The Belgrade Theatre is situated in Coventry city centre and offers a mixed programme of large scale touring productions as well as productions created in-house. Alongside this programme it also presents stand up comedy, live music and a wide range of youth and community events.

After completion of the £14 million refurbishment and expansion project, the Belgrade opened its doors in September 2007 with a new vibrant artistic policy that is designed to serve many and different audiences in the city and the region. The Belgrade now consists of two auditoria, Main Stage and B2, Click Spring consisting of a full programme of community, education and talent development work, a successful commercial set building operation (BPS), busy Events & Conferencing, a commercial drama workshop programme and catering operations. The Belgrade produces its own shows and invites a wide variety of shows in from visiting companies and the result is two exciting and eclectic seasons during the year (from end August to early July). The Theatre considers its optimum operating model is to produce at least seven shows in a year (plus participation work) but this level of activity is reliant on public funding, which is under pressure and the challenge remains of increasing income from all sources in order to maintain this level of activity. The Theatre is constantly working in partnership with various agencies (theatre companies, local colleges, schools and the Universities, local charities, housing associations etc). Catering services have been brought back in house since April 2016, having been delivered by contractors through a licence since September 2007. All staff are expected to support all the Theatre’s activities and to be knowledgeable and supportive about the Theatre and its programme of work.

The Belgrade Theatre Trust is a registered charity (number 219163). This means that all the money given, raised or earned is not distributed as profit but kept and reinvested in the work that we do.

Aim of Post

To assist in providing first class support to the Belgrade Theatre’s Technical department, across all technical disciplines, with particular emphasis on lighting, sound and video. Support is for all Belgrade Theatre productions and associated events, including all visiting work to the Belgrade Theatre. Particular regard must be given to maintaining consistently high production values within the Belgrade Theatre, and if required on tour.

Specific Responsibilities:

Operational

Attendance at meetings/rehearsals as required.

The ability to assist with the creation of lighting effects/build of practical’s as required for a Belgrade Theatre productions.

The ability to assist with the creation of sound and video effects/build of practical’s as required for a Belgrade Theatre productions

Assisting as required with advising other members of staff, actors & show staff on the safe and proper use of stage lighting/sound/video elements, and/or related items, in the manner in which their design and manufacture intended.

Reading and interpreting rig plans, ground plans and elevations.

Undertaking the colour call for productions.

The safe rigging/installing/fitting up of lighting, sound, video and set elements, and/or related items, within an agreed schedule, for all Belgrade Theatre and associated events, including visiting companies.

The operation of lighting, live/recorded sound and video as required within a production, for all Belgrade Theatre and associated events, including visiting companies.

Working as Onstage Electrician, Sound No. 2 and/or Follow Spot operator.

Assist as required in the operation and movement of staging equipment as required (counterweight flying, motorised bridges, lifts etc).

Assisting with the maintenance of the lighting, sound & video elements, and/or related items, of the show in performance.

Assisting with the maintenance of all electrics and sound departmental equipment as required.

Ensuring storage areas are kept tidy and accessible.

Ensuring all departmental areas of work are kept clean and tidy.

Assisting with portable appliance testing of all lighting/sound/video equipment with the Electrics and Sound Departments.

Driving, if qualified, the theatre van and hired vehicles for deliveries, collections and other purposes.

Transferring lighting, sound, video and set elements, and/or related items, between the theatre, stores, workshops and rehearsal rooms.

Unloading and storing items delivered to the department.

Unloading and loading of trucks for visiting companies, and Belgrade productions

Crewing for productions including ‘setting up’ and the safe operation of hand winched trucks, revolves, hydraulics, hemp flying systems & stage traps etc.

Undertaking other technical cues as may be required including scene changes, live flying, setting props etc, some of this may be in view of the audience.

As required, act as Duty Stage Manager for visiting shows, as well as events and conferencing work, and Sunday concerts if required.

The safe and efficient fitting up and strikes of all productions, and all associated equipment.

Assisting in maintaining the scenic elements, and/or related items, of the show in performance.

Ensuring all departmental areas of work are kept clean and tidy.

Assist with stage related maintenance in B1 Main Stage and B2 Studio, and when required.

General To undertake any other duties which are consistent with the function of the job including

attending staff meetings and training courses To develop an understanding of the Belgrade Theatre brand and act as an ambassador for the

Theatre in general. To work at all times within the Theatre’s Equal Opportunities Policy, and especially to create

and maintain equality of access for local people to appropriate activities for self-expression within an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.

To take a responsible approach to health, safety and environmental risks in relation to your own job role and to control the risks or report them to management as appropriate

Person Specification:

Essential: A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working within a similar professional theatre environment. Willingness to embrace the Belgrade Theatre Brand Values. Excellent time management skills, with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines Accuracy and attention to detail, with the commitment to produce work of the highest standard

while working with minimum supervision or as part of a team Excellent team worker, with great communication and interaction skills Proficiency in the use of Word, Outlook and Excel. Ability to interpret drawings and plans Ability to operate ETC Gio/Ion family lighting control Ability to work evenings or at weekends as required Ability to work at height A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required because of the physical nature of the post

Desirable Skills:

Experience of working in a producing theatre/theatre company Experience in the use and programming of moving lights Experience in the use of digital sound desks (Yamaha M7CL, LS9) Basic ability in the use of QLAB software for sound and video playback Basic understanding of the use of CAD Basic awareness of counterweight flying systems Basic awareness of using motors and motor control Awareness of relevant Health & Safety issues Full, clean Driving Licence

Terms & Conditions This is a full-time post working on the Annualised Hours Agreement (AHA) which is based on 39

hours Monday to Saturday (excluding meal breaks) with frequent evening and weekend work. To start as soon as possible Pay is monthly in arrears, and after completion of probation is £22,872.82 pa gross/ £1906.07

per month gross (overtime rate is £10.43 per hour gross). Annual Pay Review is April 2019 There is a probation period of 4 weeks during which the notice period is two weeks After confirmation of appointment the notice period is 1 month Since April 2014 the Belgrade has run pension auto-enrolment and is currently making 2%

employer contributions which will rise in line with legal requirements. The Theatre’s appointed pension provider is NEST. Further details are available.

Holiday – 28 days per annum including Bank Holidays, rising by one day every complete year worked, to a maximum annual holiday entitlement of 33 days (including Bank Holidays). Pro Rata for part time working. Due to the busy Panto Season, holiday may not be taken over Christmas Period.

TOIL/Overtime as per the AHA Agreement and must be agreed in advance with Line Manager BECTU subsistence is applicable if the employee is eligible. Employees’ health and safety is of paramount importance, and Management insists that an

employee obtains written express permission to take on any paid work or other employment during periods of TOIL (Time Off In Lieu) or holiday. No permission will be given for the first 28 days of holiday as this is a statutory requirement.

The Belgrade operates a House Agreement based on the UK Theatre (formerly TMA)/BECTU (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union) Agreement and its Staff Hand Book outlines the terms on sick pay, maternity leave and pay, paternity leave and pay, grievance and discipline and other relevant staff matters.

Staff are entitled to tickets for shows at the Belgrade Theatre, subject to particular conditions and 10% discount at the Theatre’s Café Bar and Bars

This post requires a standard Disclosure & Barring Service (formally CRB) check Due to the long and often late hours associated with this post, the post holder is expected to live

within 25 miles of the Theatre On appointment the successful candidate must be able to provide the correct documents as

proof of their right to work in the UK. The candidate’s contract of employment with the Belgrade Theatre does not come into force

until the first day of work

Application Information

Deadline: Thursday 26th July 2018, by 5pm Interviews: Commence 30th July 2018Start date: As soon as possible

Please complete the application and equal opportunities form below and email it to Jean Wheldon: recruitment@belgrade.co.uk

Applications can also be sent via post to; Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry, CV1 1GS.

Please note that as part of our equal opportunities policy, CVs and cannot be accepted instead of, or as part of applications.

Please clearly mark your email or envelope ‘Assistant Technician (Lighting, Sound & Video)

If you are invited to an interview, please let us know if you have any access requirements so that we can accommodate your needs in advance.

BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY – BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Belgrade Theatre is the major arts and cultural facility in Coventry and the only building-based professional producing theatre company in the City. It aims to present a broad spectrum of excellent work, is highly respected for its ground-breaking education and community initiatives and produces a wide range of shows.

The current Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Hamish Glen, was appointed to the Theatre in March 2003, bringing with him new energy, dynamism and a commitment to restore the Belgrade Theatre’s reputation as a high quality producing house.

The Belgrade receives revenue funding from Coventry City Council and Arts Council West Midlands as well as project funding from these and other government sources.

Our MissionWe aim to become one of the most dynamic producing houses in the country and to offer an exciting mix of entertaining and engaging live experiences all under one roof in our newly invigorated building.

We will provide a comprehensive performing arts service of the highest possible quality for Coventry and the surrounding regions and act as an ambassador for Coventry and the West Midlands when touring.

Our PhilosophyThe Belgrade creates theatre in the belief that it can enrich its community and fundamentally change peoples’ lives for the better. It is the Belgrade’s underlying belief that it should be open to the influences that surround it and that collaborations between artists, local agencies and communities can create relevant and exciting theatre and we will work with artists of the highest possible quality, locally, nationally and internationally to achieve this.

More information about the Belgrade Theatre can be found at www.belgrade.co.uk.

ADVICE ON APPLICATIONS

Equal OpportunitiesBelgrade Theatre actively promotes equality of opportunity for all and welcomes applications from the widest range of candidates. We select all candidates for interview based solely on the information provided in this Application Form, looking for proven skills, experience and qualifications.

Disclosure and Baring checkPlease note that the Belgrade Theatre undertakes DBS Disclosures (formally CRB) on those staff directly involved with children and vulnerable adults and abides by the DBS Code of Practice.  However we reserve the right to request such a check on any employee at any time.

Where a disclosure is to form part of the recruitment process, and where a candidate has a criminal record, we require such candidates called for interview to provide details of their criminal record at an early stage in the application process (and prior to attending interview).  We request that this information is sent under separate, confidential cover, to the Executive Director of The Belgrade and we guarantee that this information will only be seen by those who need to see it as part of the recruitment process.

All jobs within the following departments will require an Enhanced DBS due to regular contact with young people

● Community & Education Practitioners

● Wardrobe staff

● Chaperones

● Dressers

All jobs within the following departments will require a Standard DBS

● Performance technicians

● Performance stage staff

● Stage management

● Freelance workers working on shows involving Young People including actors

The Belgrade Theatre covers all costs for a DBS clearance.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted on this form, and can be sent to us via email or by post.

Recruitment will take place in two stages. First, a short-list of applicants will be drawn up and they will be invited to an interview. If you are invited to an interview we will contact you with more information and to find out whether you need us to make any access arrangements. We will pay reasonable domestic travel expenses for all interview candidates.

We will aim to reach a prompt decision after the interviews and aim to contact all short-listed applicants as soon as possible after a decision has been made. All applicants for jobs at the Belgrade Theatre will be contacted in writing whether or not they have been short-listed for interview.

The Belgrade Theatre strives to be an Equal Opportunities Employer

Please ensure that you attach the correct postage to ensure that we receive your application on time; envelopes up to the size of A5 (23cm x 16cm) qualify for standard postage but larger envelopes (including A4) attract the larger packet stamp rate, no matter the weight.

Please clearly mark the subject of your email or front of your envelope Assistant Technician (Lighting, Sound & Video) Application.

BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY

APPLICATION FORM FOR THE POST OF: Assistant Technician (Lighting, Sound & Video)

The form should be completed as fully as possible. Use additional sheets of paper if necessary.

Name: Address:

Telephone (Day): Telephone (Evening):

e-mail………………………………

Please give details of your education, with details of qualifications gained (e.g. O-Level/GCSE, A-Level, BTEC, NVQ, other):

Please give details of any relevant training courses or seminars you have attended:

Please give details of your employment history (paid or voluntary), starting with your most recent post, giving job titles, responsibilities, period of service, and full name of the organisation:

Please list any other skills, qualifications, or interests, which may be appropriate for the post:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please explain why you would like this post, stating what qualities you think you can bring to the job and give any additional information you feel supports your application. This will enable us to see how your particular skills and experience matches up to the requirements of the job. It is, therefore, important that you tell us as much as possible about yourself in relation to the Job Description and the items listed in the Person Specification.

Additional Information

REFERENCES

Please give the names and addresses and telephone numbers of two referees, one of whom should be your present employer, if applicable:

Name Name

Address Address

Telephone Telephone

Your relationship to referee Your relationship to referee

If you are in any way related to/have a personal relationship with either referee please declare this now:

May we request a reference before making an offer to work?

Referee 1 YES/NO Referee 2 YES/NO

DECLARATION

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge, the information given in this application is correct and I understand that it will be treated as part of any subsequent contract of employment.

SIGNED: DATE:

The Belgrade Theatre Diversity and Equal Opportunities ReturnThe Belgrade Theatre is committed to ensuring equal opportunities, aiming to attract and work with staff from a wide diverse pool. The information that you give us on this form will be separated from the form on receipt, treated confidentially and stored on our HR Data Base as statistical information only. This will be used to help monitor the diversity of applicants and to enable us to continue to develop policies and procedures regarding diversity and to submit required data to our funders. The information you supply WILL NOT be made available to anyone in any form other than anonymous data.

31 March 2017 Staff Stats: 7% identified themselves as BAME; 8% as having a disability; 11.6% as gay, 2.3% as bi-sexual, 65% heterosexual, 21% no response

Please circle your age range: Under 19; 20-34; 35-49; 50-64; 65 + Gender: …………………………..

The Disability Discrimination Act approaches disability as a condition that could impact on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The DDA defines disability as a physical or mental impairment which has substantial and long term (more than 12 months) adverse effects on a person’s ability to carry out normal day –to-day activities. Such disability may be invisible to others. Under this definition, would you say you have a disability?☐ Yes ☐ No

If you consider yourself to be disabled, please tick the options below that best describe your disability

☐ Mental Health condition ☐ Visual Impairment☐ Cognitive or learning disabilities ☐ Physical disabilities☐ Deaf / Hearing impairment ☐ Invisible disabilities☐ Other long-term/chronic conditions

Ethnic GroupPlease tick one option below. Ethnic origin questions are not about nationality, place of birth or citizenship, they are about colour, culture and ethnic groups and anyone from any country may belong to any of the groups indicated.White Mixed / Multiple ethnic groups☐ English / Welsh / Scottish / Northern Irish / British ☐ White and Black Caribbean☐ Irish ☐ White and Black African☐ Gypsy or Irish Traveller ☐ White and Asian☐ Any other White background, please ☐ Any other Mixed / Multiple ethnicdescribe: ……………………………… background, please describe: …………………Asian / Asian British Black / African / Caribbean / Black British☐ Indian ☐ African☐ Pakistani ☐ Caribbean☐ Bangladeshi ☐ Any other Black / African / Caribbean ☐ Chinese background, please describe: ……………………..☐ Any other Asian background, please describe: ………………………………Other ethnic group☐ Arab☐ Any other ethnic group, please describeSexual OrientationWhile we acknowledge that a genuine percentage of people will prefer to tick ‘Prefer not to say’ we would appreciate your honest response to this question, because without robust data we cannot successfully monitor the diversity of our organisation. Please tick one option below.☐ Bisexual ☐ Gay Woman/Lesbian☐ Gay Man ☐ Heterosexual/Straight☐ Prefer not to say