Careers | FDA
Fisher Dachs Associates is a relatively small firm and positions open up infrequently. When they do we place notices on industry web sites and listings that we hope are followed by those with the skills we seek. But we also reach out to theater and architecture programs at colleges and universities and put the word out generally in the field. Sometimes we hire search firms. We are committed to continuing to build a diverse staff of designers, consultants, and administrative personnel. We continue to work on finding better ways to attract LGBQT as well as Black, Indigenous, and other people of color into the field.
FDA’s staff come from a variety of backgrounds; set and lighting designers, production managers, stage managers, architects, digital media, marketing, and accounting. They apply their expertise to all the Theater Consulting sub-specialties (facility planning and layout, stage and auditorium design, theatrical lighting and power, rigging and stage machinery).
Careers | Theater Consulting
Theatre Consulting is often a second career for most people. After spending some years working in theatre production, stage technology development or sales, or as an architect people decide to move into the consulting world. But there have been many notable examples of people who came to the profession straight out of a university program, including our own principals Robert Campbell, Joshua Dachs, Joe Mobilia and Peter Rosenbaum, all of whom started at the firm as draftspersons.
Recent graduates are most likely to be considered for entry level designer positions, and skills in basic professional software (Revit) are necessary (Rhino, Grasshopper, Unity, and Unreal Engine experience are a plus). We expect people to learn a lot on the job. We try to fill our Project Manager and technical designer positions from candidates with prior work experience in theater technology, theater design, or architecture.
Careers | Related Fields
People with an interest in theater spaces that are currently still in Architecture or Engineering degree programs are encouraged to consider reaching out to FDA or other theater consulting firms to see if they are currently hiring. But there are several Architecture and Engineering firms in North America that have extensive experience with performing arts projects that may be able to offer positions where you could work on our fascinating building type while gaining valuable experience and perhaps getting licensed. Our Planning and Design department is comprised of women who came to us from positions at architecture firms.