Associate Production Manager
Description
The application window for this position has an anticipated end date of 11/11/2026.
Company Overview
The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is one of the largest non-profit theatre organizations in the nation, presenting Broadway tours and producing theatre, cabaret, musicals, and innovative, immersive experiences. Through these experiences and alongside our robust Education program, we engage hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
The DCPA’s workforce includes more than 300 employed team members in non-union and union positions (in partnership with seven unions). In addition, we employ hundreds of artists and contractors annually. We have a strong volunteer program which includes more than 300 volunteers.
Our Mission: “We engage and inspire through the transformative power of live theatre.”
Culture Statement
For more than 40 years, creativity and community have been the foundation of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts’ success. As a leading cultural organization in the Rocky Mountain West, we are actively participating in a cultural evolution of belonging and anti-racism. Our commitment to reflect the diversity and priorities of our community — in our workplace, audience and programming — has never been more present.
We believe that the theater can transform us — and be transformed by us. We invite you to be part of our Team.
Job Purpose
The Associate Production Manager is part of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Company Production Management team. This position supports the production process and coordinates production activities and operations for Theatre Company, Education, and Cabaret productions in addition to other Denver Center projects.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the Director of Production and Senior Production Manager in the planning, coordination, and execution of theatrical productions and special projects.
- Maintain working knowledge of the schedules, budgets, designs, staffing, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and technical requirements of productions.
- Track production needs, decisions, deadlines, and outstanding items and ensure appropriate follow-through while identifying potential feasibility, schedule, budget, labor, or safety concerns.
- Provide experienced Production Management coverage during assigned rehearsals, technical rehearsals, previews, performances, meetings, and other production activities.
- Make timely decisions with delegated authority during assigned Production Management coverage and recognize when significant issues need to be escalated.
- Coordinate departmental priorities and resolve technical, logistical, scheduling, and operational issues during assigned coverage.
- Document and communicate significant decisions, changes, unresolved issues, and required follow-up to ensure continuity between coverage periods.
- Facilitate communication among Production Management, creative teams, stage management, production departments, and other staff throughout the production process.
- Participate in and/or facilitate production, design, season planning, and technical meetings as assigned.
- Develop, maintain, and communicate calendars/schedules, deadlines/milestones, and other Production Management paperwork as assigned.
- Support season budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning as assigned.
- Track production expenses against established budgets; prepare reports, reconciliations, projections, and other financial information as assigned.
- Assist Director of Production and Senior Production Manager in determining staffing and crew needs.
- Maintain awareness of workload and competing priorities across production departments and communicate capacity or resource concerns to Director of Production or Senior Production Manager.
- Promote safe theatrical practices, identify potential hazards, and collaborate with appropriate personnel to address safety concerns, including pausing or redirecting work.
- Foster a professional, collaborative, respectful, and solution-oriented working environment.
- Actively participate and support DCPA’s work toward equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have the following experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field (e.g. Theatre, Production Management, Technical Theatre, Arts Administration) or equivalent experience.
- 3–5 years of progressively responsible theatrical management, technical production, or related experience.
- Clear understanding of the theatrical production process from design development through rehearsal, technical rehearsals, performance, closing, and strike.
- Background working in technical rehearsals and other complex, time-sensitive production environments.
- Experience providing Production Management or comparable leadership coverage during rehearsals, performances, events, or other production activities.
- Uses good judgment to address production challenges, make timely decisions, and recognize when issues need to be escalated.
- Proven success coordinating the work and priorities of multiple theatrical production disciplines.
- Experience managing complex schedules, deadlines, and multiple simultaneous production priorities.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
- Familiarity with production budgets, expense tracking, purchasing, reconciliation, and/or forecasting.
- Working knowledge of theatrical safety practices and experience supporting a safe production environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with digital tools used for production scheduling, budgeting, documentation, and communication.
- Works effectively both independently and collaboratively, remaining calm, professional, and solution-oriented under pressure.
- Able to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours as needed.
Other desirable skills and experience
- Experience working in a regional, LORT, or similar producing theatre environment.
- Working knowledge of multiple theatrical disciplines (e.g. scenery, props, costumes/wardrobe, lighting, sound, stage management).
- Familiarity with union theatrical environments and collective bargaining agreements, including AEA, IATSE, USA, and/or SDC.
- Experience working across multiple simultaneous productions and/or venues.
- Ability to balance artistic objectives with schedule, budget, staffing, technical, and safety considerations.
- Ability to anticipate production needs and proactively identify potential challenges.
Supervisor Responsibilities
This position has no supervisory responsibility.
Working Conditions
Ability to adhere to a typical production schedule including weekdays, weeknights, and weekends.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to feel objects or perform computer duties. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally be asked to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Direct Reports
None
Compensation
$62,000.00 - $66,000.00 annually
Benefits
Full time positions include the following benefits:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Life Insurance and Pet Insurance
401k Plan with employer contributions
Time off benefits including personal days, sick days, vacation days and 10 paid holidays.
The DCPA is located in Denver, CO and all roles are based at our on-site location: 1101 13th Street, Denver, CO 80204. Some roles at the DCPA may be eligible for hybrid work options. More information is available through the interview process.
The DCPA does not require applicants to disclose age, date of birth or dates of attendance and/or graduation from an educational institution in their application for employment. Applicants may redact these and other applicable dates from their resume, transcript, and any other material that they submit as part of their application for employment.
In order to provide high quality, culturally competent care to our patrons, students, guests and team members, it is of highest importance that our hiring practices reflect our values by offering an environment that celebrates diversity and embraces inclusion. All of our team members – regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, language, abilities/disabilities, socioeconomic status, geographic region, or other defining characteristics – should feel welcome and valued.