Technicians Application Info

Non-Dressing Costume Apprentices are assigned to a team in one the following areas: Stitching (with a Draping/Tailoring team), Crafts, Millinery, Administration. Each team supports the 5-production repertory season. Within each of these teams, responsibilities may include the following: constructing/altering/finishing work on new and existing costume pieces; pressing/rolling of fabrics; steaming/labeling finished pieces; daily shop maintenance tasks; helping to facilitate and maintain the organizational practices of the Costume Department. Applicants should have costume/fashion technology experience or similar experience in other theatrical venues, including hand- and industrial machine-stitching. Start dates varies beginning in May. Hourly rate for these positions is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

Dressing Costume Apprentices are assigned to a team in one the following areas: Stitching (with a Draping/Tailoring team), Crafts, Millinery. Dressing Apprentices also participate in the Wardrobe Team in the support of the 5-production repertory season. Within each of these teams, responsibilities may include the following: constructing/altering/finishing work on new and existing costume pieces; pressing/rolling of fabrics; steaming/labeling finished pieces; daily shop maintenance tasks; helping to facilitate and maintain the organizational practices of the Costume Department; inventorying costumes at check-in/check-out; assisting artists in dressing at top of show and throughout performance (including quick-changes); assisting with laundry collection and show changeover.  Applicants should have costume/fashion technology experience or similar experience in other theatrical venues, including hand- and industrial machine-stitching. Start dates varies beginning in May. Hourly rate for these positions is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

Electrics Apprentices work as part of a crew of ten electricians to complete a daily change over & refocus of approximately 250 lights in a 1 ½ hour period of daylight, build practicals, and wire set mounts. All apprentices will either run a follow spot or work as a deck electrician for 3 to 4 operas. Requirements include: college level technical theatre experience with an emphasis on lighting or comparable professional experience, actively pursuing a career as a technician or designer, experience with a variety of lighting equipment, and basic knowledge of electricity and wiring. Willingness and ability to work within a rigorous time schedule with a variety of personalities and skill levels. Start dates vary, staring late May. Hourly rate for this position is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

Responsible for all orchestra set-up and tear-down. Duties include everything from making coffee for the instrumentalists to removing a harpsichord from the pit at intermission for tuning. These individuals work in the orchestra pit as well as the rehearsal hall to ensure readiness of equipment for music staff and instrumentalists at all on-stage rehearsals and performances. Regular heavy-lifting of music stands, percussion, harps, and other unwieldy instruments up and down stairs into/out of the pit is required. This crew serves as the stage crew at daily staging rehearsals onstage, cleaning, mopping, setting scenery and conducting scene changes as needed. This crew may be assigned to other departments to aid in the finishing of scenery, props, or costumes, depending upon skill level and availability. Previous experience with musical ensembles is a plus. Start dates begin May 22, 2023. Rate for this position is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

The Prop Crafts/Carpentry Apprentice(s) is responsible for assisting the Prop Staff and other technical apprentices in the construction, maintenance and running of stage props, including but not limited to: furniture construction and upholstery, hand props, soft goods, floral and foliage work; and stage dressing; and to assist in the running of productions with staff and apprentice run crews, for a five production repertory season. The apprentice must be prepared to fulfill the following responsibilities throughout the season: construction and finish of assigned prop craft pieces; maintain excellence of product; maintenance of assigned productions; a willingness and the ability to work rigorous hours and to act as run crew for assigned productions. Applicants must have a college level prop crafts (which should include sewing / stitching) experience or similar experience in other theatrical venues. Hourly rate for this position is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

The Prop Run Crew Apprentice is responsible for assisting the Prop Run Crew Chiefs including the Head Run Crew Chief, Stage Management team, Production Stage Manager and Stage Crew apprentices and their supervisors. The Prop Run Crew interact and assist when needed with other departments. They support the running of rehearsals and performances in a safe and efficient running of stage props. This includes but not limited to movement of furniture hand props, dressing, soft goods to and from storage, rehearsal halls, stage and the prop shop for a five production repertory season and the Apprentice Scenes. The apprentice must be prepared to fulfill the following responsibilities through the festival season: accurate note taking for rehearsals and performances, show notes pertaining to the run, construction and maintenance of stage props; maintaining a high quality and integrity for the designed stage props. Applicant must be willing and able to move furniture and other stage props. Applicants should have educational and or professional experience in the running of theatrical productions and/or Stage Management experience. Start date for this position is May 29, 2023. Hourly rate for this position is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

This position is for those who are looking to gain additional knowledge and experience in scenic art. Basic scenic art skills required. Responsibilities include painting, and finishing of all scenic elements including covering, priming, texture work, sculpting and applying scenic details. Candidates must have the ability to mix and match colors and knowledge of scenic material and tools. Hourly rate for this position is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

Responsible for all scenic changeovers and run crew duties for each opera in the repertory. Occasionally apprentices are costumed for onstage moves during the show. Apprentices should arrive with experience in standard backstage and shop skills; additional skills will be trained on the job. Project work (carpentry, welding, etc) will be assigned based on skill level and availability. Backstage Seminars and Portfolio Reviews are available for all apprentices later in the season, as time allows. Previous experience in shop work and run crew preferred but not required. Start dates are mid-May, 2023. Hourly rate for this position is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

Work on the shop floor alongside our year-round Carpentry Staff. Apprentices should arrive with extensive educational scene shop experience or equivalent, including layout, carpentry and welding. Specific skills will be trained on the job. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to) assisting carpenters on scenery projects, initial load-in and fit-up of scenery onstage, and shop upkeep and maintenance. Individual project work will be assigned by the Master Carpenter based on skill level. Filling in for Stage Crew is a possibility. Backstage Seminars and Portfolio Review are available for all apprentices later in the season, as time allows. Previous experience in shop work a must. Start dates for this position is May 15, 2023. Hourly rate for this position is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.

Wig and Makeup Apprentices are responsible for overseeing the Apprentice Artist (chorus) needs for rehearsals and performances. Including, but not limited to: ensuring the wigs are in good condition and styles are upheld according to the design specifications and executing any makeup/body paint application called for the production. Additional responsibilities include various projects such as: ventilating, setting, styling wigs & facial hair as well as the maintenance of them (as mentioned above) and the maintenance of the shop itself (organizing, cleaning, etc). Hourly rate for this position is $12.00 per hour with overtime potential.