Minnesota Fringe Festival Venue Technician; Sound​/Light

Minnesota Fringe’s mission is to connect adventurous artists with adventurous audiences. Fringe is preparing for its 3rd annual Minnesota Fringe Festival taking place August 6-16, 2026. As the largest performing arts festival in the Midwest, Fringe will fill 25,000+ seats with audiences viewing ~90 shows and ~450 performances by more than 500 artists on a variety of stages in Minneapolis.

Venue technicians are responsible for managing all the technical aspects of the festival, venue management, and festival schedule. Technicians work in pairs and are assigned to one location for the duration of the event. Each venue is assigned up to 11 different shows, each of which gets 5 performances spaced across the 11 days. Venue Technicians report directly to the Technical Director during the 2026 season.

• Designing a lighting rep plot based on the combined needs of all 11 shows in the venue
• Designing and programming light cues for each show
• Programming sound cues and levels for each show as necessary
• Some venues also require knowledge of projection and video playback systems
• Running lights and sound (and video where applicable) for all performances
• Managing festival schedule, including load-in and load-out for each performance on an hourly basis and starting performances on time and ensuring they finish within the allotted time
• General stage management, including management of performance space and all public areas, management of performers, time keeping, acting as key holder and working with Front of House staff during the festival
• Other duties as needed

We are open to the following having been acquired in different industries or in a different context other than the performing arts. We understand you may not possess every qualification listed. All techs are partnered in venues with someone who complements their skill sets.

• Working knowledge of theatrical lighting systems, consoles, and electrics
• Working knowledge of theatrical sound consoles and QLab
• Ability to manage complex schedules that change daily
• Ability to provide technical support services to artists as necessary
• Ability to work with Front of House staff to ensure a smoothly functional festival
• Ability to manage and work with performers
• Small amount of customer interaction with audience
• General ability to climb ladders, troubleshoot equipment, lift and move as physically required
• Attention to detail and fast problem-solving skills
• Reliable worker able to function independently

• Attend a mandatory tech team meeting in late July (TBD).
• Work 80-90 total hours from August 1st through August 17th encompassing venue load-in, tech rehearsals, festival, and strike.
• Some additional over-hire hours are possible but not required.
• Flexible schedule is to be determined in coordination with your Venue Technician Partner and the Technical Director.

• Venue Technicians are paid a stipend in a range from $1,750 - $2,000, depending on qualifications / experience / over-hire hours.
• Techs will receive a Staff Pass for the 2026 Festival, allowing them to see all shows for free ($750 value).
• Venue Technicians will be paid their stipend on a W2 contract.
• Earned Sick and Safe Time is accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
• All W2 staff will have 0.44% of their wages deducted to cover participation in the Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

Interested in being a Fringe Tech, but need a more flexible schedule? New to Fringe and want to try it out before becoming a full venue tech? Minnesota Fringe will also hire 1-2 Tech Swings (or understudies) for the run of the festival. Tech Swings will shadow a few venues during tech week and be called in in case of sickness or emergency.

Tech swings will be paid $20/hr for any time worked. To apply, fill out the same online application below.

To apply , please fill out the online application.
Applications are due by May 1st, 2026
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Email Corinne Steffens, Technical Director,  calls, please.