Lead Painter/Dyer

Oregon-Shakespeare-Festival; Ashland (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in Ashland, Oregon is seeking a Lead Painter / Dyer to join our Costume Department. This full-time, union position focuses on dyeing, painting, printing, and fabric manipulation for productions, with oversight of dyeing processes and collaboration with designers and production teams.

You will plan, create, and supervise fabric treatments, translate artistic concepts into colors and finishes, and mentor teammates while ensuring safety and deadlines are met.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with at least 5 years of Costume Shop theatre experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Fiber Reactive, Acid, Union, Direct, and Disperse dyes.
• Expertise in color matching, fabric manipulation, painting, printing and distressing.
• Ability to manage a high volume of work and meet production deadlines.
• Proficiency with Photoshop, Illustrator or Canva.

Responsibilities

• Dyeing & Surface Design: Create colors, textures, graphics and treatments with advanced techniques.
• Color & Design Execution: Develop precise dye formulas and color matches under varying lighting.
• Planning & Collaboration: Assess scope, develop work calendars, and prioritize projects with teams.
• Research & Documentation: Test fabrics and document formulas, finishes, and processes.
• Mentorship & Support: Share expertise and mentor colleagues and artisans.
• Shop & Safety Operations: Maintain Dye Shop equipment and comply with safety standards.

Skills

Dyeing

Surface design

Color matching

Fabric manipulation

Painting

Printing

Distressing

Photoshop

Illustrator

Canva

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Photoshop

Illustrator

Canva

Job description

Description

• Now Hiring: Lead Painter / Dyer
• Department: Costume | Reports to: Associate Costume Director
• Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week), Union - IATSE Local 154
• Expected Start Date: January 5, 2027
• Expected End Date: June 12, 2027
• Pay Rate: $33.20 hourly
• Location: Ashland, OR (On-site)

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Lead Painter / Dyer to join our Costume Department. This role is ideal for an accomplished costume professional with expertise in dyeing, painting, printing, distressing, and fabric manipulation who enjoys combining artistry, technical precision, and collaborative problem-solving.

The Role You'll Play

As Lead Painter Dyer, you'll work at an expert level to plan, create, and oversee fabric and costume treatments for OSF productions. You'll collaborate with Costume Designers and production teams to translate artistic concepts into colors, textures, graphics, and finishes while coordinating multiple projects and deadlines.

What You'll Do

Dyeing & Surface Design: Create custom colors, textures, graphics, and treatments using advanced techniques including dyeing, silk screening, airbrushing, digital printing, stenciling, painting, and distressing.

Color & Design Execution: Develop precise dye formulas and color matches while considering how colors appear under different lighting conditions in OSF's indoor and outdoor theatres.

Planning & Collaboration: Assess project scope, develop Dye Shop work calendars, and prioritize projects with Costume Project Managers, Lead Craft Artisans, and Lead Drapers.

Research & Documentation: Test fabrics, materials, products, and techniques and document approved formulas, finishes, and processes for ongoing garment maintenance.

Mentorship & Support: Share expertise, mentor colleagues, and assist Craft Artisans and Wardrobe & Hair as needed.

Shop & Safety Operations: Maintain Dye Shop equipment and workspaces while ensuring strict adherence to current safety standards.

You'll Thrive Here If You ...

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 5 years of Costume Shop theatre experience.
• Bring advanced knowledge of Fiber Reactive, Acid, Union, Direct, and Disperse dyes.
• Have expertise in color matching, fabric manipulation, painting, printing, and distressing techniques.
• Can manage a high volume of work and multiple projects while meeting production deadlines.
• Are adaptable, collaborative, solutions-oriented, and committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment.
• Are comfortable using digital image tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of global garment and costume history.
• Experience mentoring and teaching others.
• Strong communication, delegation, and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and cloud-based information-sharing systems.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

Ability to lift and move costumes and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, climb stairs, and sit or stand for extended periods. Must be able to manipulate fabrics over an 80-gallon dye vat and work in environments with high heat and rapid airflow. The standard workweek is Tuesday-Saturday, with overtime and schedule adjustments as needed for fittings and technical rehearsals.

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 musical, 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.