Jobs (Calgary): Swing Technician – Vertigo Theatre, Theater News

Swing Technician
Full-time Seasonal Contract

About Vertigo Theatre
Vertigo Theatre is Canada’s National Theatre for Intrigue and Mystery, and Calgary’s second largest professional theatre. Located at the base of the Calgary Tower, and heading into its 50th season, the Vertigo Theatre complex is home to our administration, ticket offices, and two performance venues. Vertigo Theatre aims to thrill, entertain, and challenge by creating theatre that ignites the curiosity of our community. We are dedicated to inspiring and mentoring the next generation of arts leaders.

About the Position
Vertigo Theatre seeks an individual for the position of Swing Technician who is invested in working as a part of the core production team, and expanding their own skillset working on professional productions. This is an educational position that is ideal for recent graduates of theatre programs and someone who wants to develop their skills working in a professional theatre company. There is an opportunity for this position to be renewed for up to three seasons to continue to develop skills and increase responsibilities.

The successful candidate will be a highly-motivated individual who has skills in theatrical production and has a keen interest in developing their skills in the technical aspects of producing theatre, technical administration, and management. The chosen candidate will be exposed to all the aspects of a professional production and will include everything from participating in lighting hangs, sound and set install, props building/sourcing, rigging, paint, special effects, projections, and wardrobe.
As the position spans the full season it gives opportunities to build on skills and knowledge developed on each production to the next one.

The Swing Technician is a core member of the Vertigo production department and, as such, will uphold and promote Vertigo’s values of Excellence, Mentorship, Collaboration, Advocacy, Accessibility and Accountability.

Responsibilities
– Assisting the Technical Director and Department Heads with all aspects of productions. Including, but not limited to: stage carpentry, rigging, special effects, lighting, sound, projection, costumes and props.
– Working on productions during tech week.
– Completing show notes during the run of productions, as required.
– Assisting the Production and Facilities Manager with the facilities upkeep including maintaining the facilities calendar, doing maintenance as required.

Skills and Requirements
– Basic knowledge of all departments of theatre production
– Experience working with Designers and Directors
– Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written
– Confident in troubleshooting, creative problem solving, and research
– Ability to maintain a high quality of workmanship, achieving the attention to detail that the Theatre requires
– Self motivated and able to work effectively independently, and also take direction well
– Ability to draft in Vectorworks is an asset
– Ability to program and use Q-Lab, Isadora, and ETC lighting consoles is an asset

Qualifications
– Degree in Technical Theatre or equivalent experience
– Comfortable working at heights and capable of climbing ladders and working in catwalks
– Familiar with & comfortable using power tools
– Able to lift 50 lbs
– Certifications are required, including:
– Standard First Aid
– Aerial Platform (Scissor Lift) Ticket and Fall Arrest and/or Working at Heights Certification
– It is also an asset to have:
– Valid Drivers License
– Possession and Acquisition License (PAL)
– Pyrotechnics License
– Hazardous Materials (WHMIS)
– Must be a Permit member of IATSE 212 or apply for a Permit upon acceptance of the position

Vertigo Theatre encourages a team-oriented environment. All personnel are required to participate in a wide range of activities or take on additional responsibilities from time to time that may be outside of the Core Responsibilities & Duties for each position.

Hours
This is a Full-Time position. The schedule is to be set with the Technical Director based on the needs of the productions, which will include some evenings and weekends.

Dates
August 24, 2026 – June 19, 2027

Compensation
– $26.50 per hour
– 4% vacation paid out on each cheque.
– Optional opt in to Vertigo’s Extended Health and Dental Plan after 3 months with cost shared 50/50 between employee and employer.
– This is a position with IATSE 212 and the Vertigo Theatre IATSE 212 Collective agreement will apply
– Access to building amenities, including Fitness Centre and Secure Bike Lock-Up

Please note parking expenses are the employee’s responsibility and no designated parking is available onsite.

Deadline to submit
Applications will be accepted until July 26, 2026.
Interviews will commence as applications are received.

Please send a cover letter, resume or CV, and 3 references to Jessie Paynter, Production & Facility Manager at applications@vertigotheatre.com. Please use the subject line “Swing Technician”.

At Vertigo Theatre we are committed to a respectful work environment and a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals including visible minorities and people with disabilities.

Thank you to all applicants. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted. For more information about Vertigo Theatre please visit our website, www.vertigotheatre.com