Lead Painter

Scenic Guild; Calumet City (IL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Centerstage Global in Calumet City, IL is seeking a Lead Painter to oversee scenic finishing for exhibits and installations. The role requires 3+ years of lead or supervisory painting experience, strong color matching with Pantone references, and familiarity with faux finishes.

The team collaborates with shop foremen to meet tight build schedules in a fast-paced production environment. The ideal candidate will read drawings, coach other painters, manage supplies, and ensure safety standards are

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional scenic, exhibit, or theatrical painting experience, including lead or supervisory work.
• Strong color-matching skills and comfort working from Pantone/color callouts.
• Working knowledge of faux finish and specialty texture techniques.
• Familiarity with paint and coating systems across wood, metal, and fabric.
• Ability to read shop drawings and finish specs.
• Ability to lift and maneuver units up to 50 lbs.
• Strong communication skills and comfort directing other painters.
• Self-directed, deadline-driven work style.

Responsibilities

• Review drawings, color callouts, and finish specs to plan each unit's paint and finish schedule.
• Mix, match, and apply custom colors and specialty finishes to meet approved samples.
• Direct and coach painters on technique, sequencing, and daily priorities.
• Prep surfaces (fill, sand, prime) across wood, MDF, metal, and fabric substrates.
• Apply faux finishes, texture work, and graphic treatments as scope requires.
• Coordinate with Leads and Foreman to keep finishing on pace with the overall build schedule.
• Maintain quality control on finished units before they move to pack and install.
• Track and manage paint, finish, and consumable inventory for the finish department.
• Keep the paint area organized, ventilated, and up to safety standard.
• Troubleshoot finish issues (coverage, cure time, color drift) and adjust process as needed.

Skills

Lead supervision

Color matching

Faux finish techniques

Read shop drawings

Communication skills

Safety & organization

Job description

Lead Painter

Centerstage Global

Calumet City, IL
LAST MINUTE | Production House | Corporate / Trade Show | Professional Job

Expires: 02/26/27

Job Dates

ASAP Ongoing – 1099 to FT with Benefits

Pay

$30-$35 DOE biweekly

TITLE: Lead Painter

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt / Hourly Employee

REPORTS TO: Shop Foreman, Scenic Operations Manager

DEPARTMENT: Scenic Finishing

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 7:0 AM-3:00 PM. Overtime as project timelines require.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• – Review drawings, color callouts, and finish specs to plan each unit’s paint and finish schedule
• – Mix, match, and apply custom colors and specialty finishes to meet approved samples
• – Direct and coach painters on technique, sequencing, and daily priorities
• – Prep surfaces (fill, sand, prime) across wood, MDF, metal, and fabric substrates
• – Apply faux finishes, texture work, and graphic treatments as scope requires
• – Coordinate with Leads and Foreman to keep finishing on pace with the overall build schedule
• – Maintain quality control on finished units before they move to pack and install
• – Track and manage paint, finish, and consumable inventory for the finish department
• – Keep the paint area organized, ventilated, and up to safety standard
• – Troubleshoot finish issues (coverage, cure time, color drift) and adjust process as needed

WHAT YOU BRING:

• – 3+ years of professional scenic, exhibit, or theatrical painting experience, including lead or supervisory work
• – Strong color-matching skills and comfort working from Pantone/color callouts
• – Working knowledge of faux finish and specialty texture techniques
• – Familiarity with paint and coating systems across wood, metal, and fabric
• – Ability to read shop drawings and finish specs
• – Ability to lift and maneuver units up to 50 lbs
• – Strong communication skills and comfort directing other painters
• – Self-directed, deadline-driven work style

ABOUT CENTERSTAGE GLOBAL:

Based in South Holland, IL, Centerstage Global designs and builds custom exhibits and scenic environments for corporate events, brand activations, and experiential marketing programs across the country. Our shop has produced work behind major launches like the Kia EV6 World Premiere and the NFL House at Super Bowl LVIII, and we’re known for turning ambitious concepts into flawlessly executed builds.