What does an Event Technical Director do?

An event technical director (often shortened to TD) is the person responsible for the technical side of an event, designing and overseeing its sound, lighting, video, staging and power, and the crews that deliver them. They make sure the technical plan is safe, on budget and able to deliver what the client or artist wants.

What an event technical director does

A technical director's work runs from early design to the final de-rig:

  1. Technical design: turn the creative brief into a plan for staging, AV, rigging and power.
  2. Suppliers: specify equipment, get quotes and contract technical suppliers.
  3. Venue checks: confirm the venue's power, weight loads and access fit the plan.
  4. Schedule and crew: plan the build, rehearsals and de-rig, and the crew needed for each.
  5. Show day: oversee the technical team, solve problems and sign off safety checks.

Technical plans, drawings and supplier specs change often before an event, so many teams keep them together by sharing documents in Crescat.

Technical director vs production manager

A technical director focuses on the technical design and systems: what equipment is used and how it works together. A production manager focuses on logistics, budgets, schedules and crew. On large events the two work side by side; on smaller ones one person often does both.

Skills an event technical director needs

  • Working knowledge of sound, lighting, video and staging
  • Understanding of power, rigging and structural safety
  • Reading and producing technical drawings
  • Budgeting and supplier management
  • Leading crews under time pressure

Frequently asked questions

How do you become an event technical director?

Most technical directors start as technicians in sound, lighting or video, then move into crew chief and production roles. Broad experience across departments matters more than one specialism.

What does a technical director do on show day?

They check the build is complete and safe, oversee rehearsals and make sure every department is ready. During the show they stay on comms with the crew and handle any technical problems.

Is an event technical director the same as a theatre technical director?

The roles are similar. A theatre technical director usually works for one venue or company across a season, while an event technical director moves between events, venues and clients.

Related terms