Scenic Workshop Supervisor, July 2018 1

Scenic Workshop Manager

Recruitment Pack

July 2018

Scenic Workshop Manager

Thank you for your interest in the Octagon Theatre Bolton and the role of Scenic Workshop Supervisor.

The Octagon Theatre Bolton creates anything up to ten main auditorium productions every year, including new plays, classics, musicals and family shows. We are proud to make theatre in Bolton and are one of the few remaining producing theatres in the UK with full scenery and wardrobe production facilities along with rehearsal room and studio theatre.

The studio theatre is used to produce a number of smaller scale productions and to stage creative engagement work all of which are supported by the production team including workshop.

We work closely as a team to support each other positively through the pressures of the creative process. The result of this teamwork are productions of an exceptional standard.

Our work within the community of Bolton reaches participants from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and enhances future life chances.

The main auditorium and building is currently undergoing an extensive multi-million pound refurbishment. This has given us a unique and exciting opportunity to work off site at a variety of interesting locations. These locations vary from outdoor promenade productions to conference suites and concert halls.

One of our forthcoming projects will be to relocate and redevelop the workshop and storage facilities. We are at the early stages of this project and look forward to working with the successful candidate to explore possibilities for the new premises such as training apprentices.

Working with The Octagon Theatre team requires commitment a great sense of humour and a desire to work closely and meaningfully with artistic, creative and specialist theatre craftspeople.

In this pack, you will find the job description and person specification, as well as guidance on the process, terms and conditions, and background information. You can also get further information about the Octagon on our website www.octagonbolton.co.uk and a copy of our most recent annual report www.octagonbolton.co.uk/annual-report

I hope that you enjoy finding out more about this opportunity. The closing date for applications is noon on Thursday 2th July. Good luck with your application.

Kind regards,

Roddy GauldChief Executive

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Role: Scenic Workshop Manager

Responsible to: Head of Production

Responsible for: Manages the Workshop Team (including freelance construction staff); 2 direct reports (*Deputy Construction and Scenic Artist and Props Maker)

*Please note that our staff structure is changing to reflect our capital project. This job description and the staff structure chart reflect our intended structure from 2019/2020 onwards.

PURPOSE OF POSITION: To construct settings to the highest standards in consultation with the Head of

Production and the Designer, paying particular attention to Health and Safety. To organise and run fit-ups and strikes in conjunction with the Head of Production.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsible for the construction of settings to the highest of standards for productions,

events and activities as required. To include main house, creative engagement and other events as required.

Responsible for the day today safety and cleanliness of the workshop including props and wardrobe store liaising with the Head of Production, Building Supervisor and production department.

Working within budgets that have been set and agrees with the Head of Production.

Working to deadlines that have been set and agreed with the Head of Production.

To work with the designer and Head of Production to establish most suitable materials and methods to best realize designs in accordance with Health and Safety.

To participate in seating turn-arounds in the auditoria as required.

Effective line management of workshop employees.

Supervise and co-ordinate all casual and freelance staff.

Consult with the Head of Production regarding staffing levels

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Organise and run fit-ups and strikes as and when required.

Assist when required in ‘get-in, fit-up and get-out’ of home produced, education, youth theatre and incoming shows.

Operation of effective working practice in accordance of Health and Safety guidelines and regulations.

Attendance at production meetings, staff meetings, design meetings and any other meetings necessary where requested by the Head of Production

Effectively communicate with the Head of Production and notifying at the earliest opportunity of any challenges in carrying out expected jobs.

Maintain good housekeeping in all sites of work.

Regular checks and respond to rehearsal notes.

Driving the company van to collect, transport and deliver settings and materials.

Maintain an effective and supporting working relationship with all other departments.

To lead university workshops as and when requested.

Be an active ambassador for the Octagon at all times, including providing the highest level of customer care, and promoting the theatre’s work and fundraising.

Carry out any other duties that are reasonably requested by the Head of Production, the Artistic Director or the Chief Executive.

The main duties and responsibilities are indicative and not exhaustive. Other duties may be necessary to fulfil the purpose of the post. This job description may be periodically reviewed and revised in consultation with the post holder.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience Desirable experience

A minimum of 5 years’ experience in set and scenic construction and experience of using metals, timbers, fiberglass, resins and adhesives.

A minimum of 3 years’ experience of leading a team.

Experience of managing budgets, purchasing and negotiating with suppliers.

A demonstrable track record of producing high quality sets

Experience of working ‘in the round’. Class 2 HGV license.

Essential skills and abilities

Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage people effectively. Excellent woodworking skills Excellent metal working skills Ability to construct sets as required from scale drawings Strong artistic vision with an ability to identify creative ideas. Strong communication skills. Ability to work on own initiative, prioritise and meet deadlines. Ability to manage projects to set budgets. Imaginative thinking and ability to offer ideas and “make things happen”. Computer literate with a good understanding of MS Office programs such as Outlook, Excel and

Word. A clean UK driving license beneficial but not essential.

Essential knowledge and understanding Desirable knowledge and understanding

Must have a vast knowledge of Health and Safety i.e PUWER, LOLER and COSHH.

AutoCAD

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a summary of the terms and conditions.

Grade: 5

Salary: Starting range: £21–26k dependent on experience Pension: The company operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme through

NOW:Pensions in line with current government legislation

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week. There will be evening or weekend hours, with occasional overnight stays away

Holiday Entitlement: 28 days per annum (inclusive of Public Holidays), increasing by 1 day per annum to a maximum of 33 after 12 months service

Place of work: Octagon Theatre workshop and The Octagon Theatre Bolton, with regional and occasional national travel.

The Octagon offers a range of other employee benefits including: A commitment to flexible working where possible Child care vouchers UK Healthcare cashback scheme (as applicable) Loans for season tickets, bicycles and parking costs (as available) Complimentary tickets Staff café discount

There will be a three month probationary period. Any offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of:

References that are satisfactory to the Octagon Evidence of the right to work in the UK as defined by the Home Office

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APPLICATION GUIDANCE

Applications should be submitted to recruitment@octagonbolton.co.uk no later than noon on Thursday 26th July 2018.

Applications should be made using the application form provided. CVs will not be accepted. We would be grateful if you would also return the Equal Opportunities monitoring form. We cannot accept applications received after the deadline.

If you require the application materials in a different format or have any other access requirements, please contact Rebecca Coombes via either recruitment@octagonbolton.co.uk or telephone 01204 529407.

Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place on Thursday 2nd August at the Octagon Theatre Bolton.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Octagon StoryStories are at the heart of everything we do at the Octagon – from telling some of the greatest stories ever written on our stages to encouraging the young people we work with to tell stories of their own.

We are a theatre situated in the heart of Bolton and believe in reaching out to all of the communities that surround us, and we strive to bring wonderful theatrical experiences to the people of Bolton and beyond. We lovingly bring stories to life on our stages designed to make you laugh, cry and sit on the edge of your seat. Over the course of a year, you might see a comedy or two, a brand new play, a musical, thought-provoking drama, a historical retelling and more.

Off our stages, we help nurture and develop stories of others. Through our work in the communities from our storytelling sessions for under 5s to our drama group for over 50s we believe everyone should have the opportunity to be creative.

At nearly 50 years old we were the first theatre to be built in the North West since World War One. Beginning as the brainchild of a university lecturer and a group of students to build a theatre for the people of Bolton, the Octagon was going to be a little bit different from the usual. With amazing support from the local government, and the people of Bolton who helped raise funds brick by brick, our building was officially opened on 27 November 1967 by HRH Princess Margaret and we opened our doors for the very first time to begin our long journey of telling wonderful stories to the people of Bolton and beyond.

The first story on our stage was Annie And Fanny by Bolton playwright Bill Naughton. A new play written by a local playwright – this was an exciting start to the proud tradition we have held strong for 50 years of supporting new and local writing. New writing has always been an important part of the Octagon story as well as producing plays from some of the greatest playwrights throughout history.

The heart of our theatre from the day it was built, right up to the present, is our intimate and flexible Main Auditorium theatre space. It seats between 300 and 390 and unlike most theatres not only does the set change from production to production but the seating alters too and responds to the staging. Usually seen in three main configurations of in the round, end-on and thrust stage every time you come and see a show you will enjoy a totally different experience.

Throughout the years many changes have happened to the building and the work we do, from the creation of our Studio Theatre in 1987 to the inception of our participation programme which seeks to engage with communities across Bolton. We are continually looking to evolve and develop the work we create and most recently have announced a major capital development of our building, where we will be seeking to not only improve our visitor experience but also the accessibility of our backstage areas and an improved provision for the communities we work with.

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Our purpose, vision and values

Purpose:To connect with the people of Bolton and beyond through theatre.

Vision:Our community will be enriched and inspired by quality, entertaining and thought-provoking theatre productions, and opportunities for people to realise their potential, express themselves and fly.

Values:Creativity We work together to create theatre, and inspire others to be creative too.

Inclusion We want to reach the entire community and for them to feel included, welcome and safe.

Learning We encourage people to grow their abilities and their ideas; and for us to grow and stretch our own too.

Quality We seek to ensure that everything we do aspires to the highest possible quality.

Pride We take pride in our work, our theatre and our town; and we strive to make Bolton proud of us.

Our workThe Octagon produces eight to nine main auditorium productions every year, including new plays, classics, musicals and family shows. We are proud to make theatre in Bolton, and have our rehearsal, scenery and production making facilities here in the town centre.

Our previous workshop work includes: Transforming our intimate auditorium into a Beach, a cruise ship and railway station for a

number of community events. Creating varying scales of bespoke sets for seven main house shows in a number of different

stage configurations. Recycling previous sets in new and imaginative ways to create settings for studio and

creative engagement productions.

Capital development – Octagon ReimaginedWork is due to shortly commence on a circa £10m capital development of the theatre building, called Octagon Reimagined. The work will be undertaken by Willmott Dixon Construction. The architects are Feilden Clegg Bradley (for the concept) and JM Architects (for the delivery). We are also working with theatre consultants Charcoal Blue.

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The vast majority of the project’s funding has been secured, with significant investment from Bolton Council and Arts Council England. Other major funders to date include The Linbury Trust, The Oglesby Charitable Family Trust, Foyle Foundation, Garfield Weston, The Wolfson Foundation, The Granada Foundation and the Sir James and Lady Scott Trust.

The project aims to safeguard the Octagon for the generations to come. At 50 years old, the building in need of repair and renewal in many areas. Large parts of the theatre are inaccessible to people with disabilities. There is insufficient space for all our activities and ambitions, and the building is uncomfortable in a range of ways for audiences and staff alike.

On completion, the Octagon will have: Improved accessibility for building users front of house and backstage. Refurbished public areas with increased toilets and more café/bar covers. Improved environmental sustainability and comfort for all building users. A modernised main auditorium, with new a seating system and a new scene dock. Two new studios: one intended for performances and creative engagement work, and the

other for rehearsals and creative engagement work. New spaces for learning and events, allowing a mix of creative engagement work, meetings

and external hires. Fit for purpose office spaces, additional dressing rooms and increased wardrobe and

backstage spaces. An improved street presence, sitting at the heart of the re-developed town centre.

Work is due to complete in late 2019. Whilst construction is underway, the Octagon is producing work off-site in a range of locations. Our box office, café and creative engagement work is taking place in the Market Place shopping centre; whilst our rehearsal, backstage and administrative spaces have moved to the Wellsprings office building, next door to the theatre.

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Our brand

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Finances and fundingThe Octagon receives core funding from Arts Council England, Bolton Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority that partly covers the cost of the core staff and overheads. Box office receipts represent the largest portion of income.

Staff teamThe Octagon employs over 40 core staff plus casual workers. Every year we work with over 100 actors, creatives and freelancers and we have over 100 volunteers in different roles. In 2017 we re-designed our staff structure to reflect the theatre’s growth and potential.

Chief Electrician

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