Hair and Wig Technician

Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Ashland (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR is seeking an experienced wig run crew member to manage hair, wigs, and makeup for performances. This on-site role requires coordinating with Wardrobe and Stage Management, applying wigs, and executing quick changes during shows.

Two years of professional wig experience are required; a degree may substitute. The position is full-time, union, and will involve rehearsals on weekday and weekend evenings throughout the season.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional theatrical wig run crew and wig styling experience required.
• Bachelor’s or advanced degrees may substitute for professional experience.
• Proficiency with wig application, styling and maintenance.
• Knowledge of makeup for stage, street, and special effects.
• Understanding of historical hair styles for men and women.

Responsibilities

• Runs hair, wig, and makeup tracks for productions and maintains wigs during the season.
• Executes wig/hair changes, including quick changes, with Wardrobe and Stage Management.
• Maintains all wigs and facial hair elements, cleaning and restyling as needed.
• Attends technical and dress rehearsals, notes, and run sheets.
• Collaborates with wig, wardrobe, backstage crew, and stage management.

Skills

Hair styling

Makeup artistry

Hair history

Quick changes

Hair tools

Education

Two years wig run crew experience

Tools

Ventilation tools

Scissors

Makeup products

Job description

• On-site
• Wardrobe, Wig, Hair
• Full-Time

Description

Position Overview:

Runs hair, wig, and makeup tracks for one or more productions and maintains wigs and hairpieces during the performance season.

Pay Rate:

$26.13 per hour

Expected Start Date:

4/3/27

Expected End Date:

10/31/27

Status:

Full-time, Onsite, Union - This position is represented by IATSE Local 154.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• Runs and understudies hair, wig, and makeup tracks for shows. This includes, but is not limited, to applying wigs and specialty makeup to actors and styling their hair before performances, setting up for wig and makeup changes, and executing wig and makeup changes during the show.
• Executes wig/hair changes, including quick changes, as established through collaboration with Wardrobe staff and Stage Management.
• Maintains all wigs and facial hair elements as assigned, including cleaning and restyling as needed.
• Models and supports the mission and values of OSF by:
  • Demonstrating inclusive behavior and creating an environment of belonging
  • Maintaining a safe and anti-racist working environment
  • Recognizing micro-aggressions and interrupting othering behaviors
• Communicates with Wig Master to ensure the integrity of the wig design is withheld throughout the run of the production.
• Creates an inventory of all show-specific products and notifies supervisor when reordering is needed.
• Educates actors regarding pin curl prep and proper handling of wig pieces.
• Attends all technical and dress rehearsals of shows assigned, taking notes and creating a cohesive run sheet.
• Collaborates and communicates efficiently with other wig department staff, wardrobe staff, backstage crew, and stage management.
• Participates in the upkeep, cleanliness and organization of wig rooms.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attends OSF, department, and show meetings as needed.
• May ventilate wigs and various facial hairpieces.
• Notifies supervisor immediately of any damage to wigs or show-related incidents/issues.
• Provides assistance to wardrobe costume changes on occasion.
• Assists in other projects as assigned by supervisor.

Supervision Received:

Wardrobe and Hair Manager; Wardrobe and Hair Supervisor

Supervision Exercised:

None

Qualifications & Skills:

REQUIRED:

Work Experience:

Two years of professional theatrical wig run crew and wig styling experience is required. Bachelor’s or advanced degrees may substitute for professional experience.

Qualifications/skills:

• Working knowledge of hair styling of all hair types, wig application, styling, and maintenance.
• Working knowledge of makeup including stage, street, and special effects.
• Knowledge of the history of both men’s and women’s contemporary and period hair styles.
• Experience with quick changes.
• Knowledge of styling equipment, ventilation tools, scissors and general hair care and theatrical makeup products.

Physical Ability:

Must be able to sit and stand for eight hours or more. The job requires continuous and repetitive use of hands and wrists for both fine and forceful gripping. Ability to reach above head, lift up to 10 pounds, and repeatedly ascend and descend stairs.

Other Skills, Ability and/or Knowledge:

Working knowledge of computers and cloud storage systems. Ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere with actors and colleagues. Must have the ability to multitask, prioritize, and execute tasks on schedule.

Special Position Requirements:

Must be able to pass a background check. This position is represented by IATSE Local 154.

Special Hours Requirements:

Irregular schedule including evenings and weekends, generally a 5-6 day week.

PREFERRED:

• Ventilating and wig-making experience.
• Experience in working with Black/African-American and multi-ethnic hair and wigs.
• Knowledge of makeup techniques for all skin types and skills in Stage, Beauty, Fantasy, and Period makeup as well as Special Effects, Prosthetics, etc.

Organizational Background

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) was founded in 1935 in Ashland, OR, and has grown from a three-day festival of two plays to a nationally renowned theatre arts organization that presents a rotating repertory season of up to 10 plays and musicians, including illuminating interpretations of Shakespeare, other enduring classics, and new works. OSF productions have been presented on Broadway, internationally, and at regional, community, and high school theatres across the country. OSF received the 1983 Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is one of the largest nonprofit theatres in the nation with three stages, including an outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre.

Statement of Purpose

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival creates world-class theatre, revealing our collective humanity through illuminating interpretations of new and classic plays, and inspiring a love of our art form for current and future generations.

Company Values

• We are committed to working toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, creating a space of belonging for all audiences and employees—through concrete actions and systemic improvements.
• We nurture and support our artists, attracting and retaining diverse, innovative talent across the organization.
• We believe in the transformational power of collaborative artmaking and performance.
• We recognize the importance of responsible stewardship of resources and sustainable business, financial, and environmental practices.
• We serve the public good and engage with and respect our community of artists, audiences, staff, local citizens, patrons, donors, and the greater theatre community worldwide.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.