Open to opportunities

Eli McKenna

@elimckenna

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Theatre technician and production leader specializing in scenic, electrics, and team management.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek hands-on production roles where I can lead technical teams, manage scenic/electrics work, and support full-season programming in collaborative, safety-focused environments.

I am a theatre technician and production leader with hands-on experience across scenic carpentry, electrics, sound, and props, having managed full seasons and supervised teams to deliver 15+ shows in a single season. I apply academic training in design and theatre technology alongside practical shop experience to support production schedules and maintain high safety and quality standards.

As a collaborative communicator, I have connected management, faculty, and production personnel to meet deadlines and solve staffing disruptions, and I bring additional strengths in customer service, inventory management, and conflict management developed through front-of-house and retail roles.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Assistant Technical Director

Surflight Theatre

May 2025 - Dec 2025 (7 months)

Managed and led a team of technicians across a season of 15+ shows, coordinating between management and production personnel and maintaining expertise in carpentry, electrics, sound, and props to ensure smooth operations.

Theatrical Carpentry Electrical Team Leadership Production Management

Technical Assistant

University of New Hampshire Department of Theatre & Dance

Aug 2022 - May 2025 (2 years 9 months)

Assisted production of the university's full season of academic shows by collaborating with faculty and peers to maintain build schedules and applying scenic and production skills in the shop.

Production Scheduling Collaboration Stagecraft

Barista

Target

Jun 2019 - Feb 2020 (8 months)

Operated POS, processed payments, stocked products, and provided customer service aligned with company values to maintain store operations.

Cash Handling Stocking Customer Service Time Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of New Hampshire

Bachelor of Arts, Design & Theatre Technology

Activities and societies: Mask & Dagger Dramatic Society (President); Department of Theatre & Dance technical assistant; relevant coursework in arts management and production.

Bachelor of Arts in Design & Theatre Technology with a minor in Arts Administration, completed in May 2025; coursework included project and event management, revenue development, and team leadership.