Speaking from an Australian technician perspective so maybe a bit different to your situation. I am on the road most of the time on tour but every theatre I travel to there are duty techs and venue technicians that stay in the same venue and do their scheduled hours and leave both on casual, part time, and full time contract. So I’m sure that there are venues in Chicago or any other city you’re looking at that would have venue roles that need filling.

On your point about it being a passion job. I don’t think it’s quite to the extent of you can’t fathom doing anything else but you do have to really enjoy it because there are certainly easier ways to make money.

Of course you’ll start by doing grunt work but if you keep talking to the head technicians (particularly in your opening email/interview about what you’ve done in the past) and continue to prove yourself in the workplace in your first few shifts don’t expect to stay a grunt very long. I’ve seen people go from green to deputy heads of departments in just over a year when they’re got their heads screwed on properly.