Lead Scenic Carpenter

Olney Theatre Center; Maryland; On-site; USD 46,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Olney Theatre Center is seeking a Lead Scenic Carpenter to join their scenic team. This role involves collaborative work in fabricating, installing, and striking scenic elements for various productions. Ideal candidates will have strong technical skills, including proficiency in carpentry and metal working, alongside communication and leadership abilities. A high school diploma and prior experience in theatrical scenery are required.

Benefits

Complete benefits package

403(b) match

Qualifications

• 2-3 years experience in theatrical scenery preferred.
• Valid Driver’s license required.
• Ability to lift materials over 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Construct scenic components as assigned.
• Participate in load-in and strike of productions.
• Guide and train scenic carpentry apprentices.

Skills

Sound working knowledge of theatrical conventions

Strong Communication Skills

Creative problem-solving skills

Ability to multi-task with strong time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Common scene shop tools

Welding equipment

Job description

REPORTS TO: Technical Director and Associate Technical Director

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Lead Scenic Carpenter shall serve as an integral member of Olney Theatre’s scenic team and should be proficient working on independent projects as well as working in conjunction with the Shop Foreman to provide assistance, mentorship, and/or leadership to other members of the team, including carpenters/overhires, apprentices, and the scenic artist. Olney’s scenic team participates collaboratively in the fabrication, installation, and strike of all scenic elements for the 8+ shows Olney Theatre produces each year in multiple theatre spaces across our campus. Some larger prop builds may be asked of the Lead Carpenter as warranted. The bulk of the Lead Scenic Carpenter’s activities will be focused on fabrication in the Olney Theatre scene shop, supervised by the Shop Foreman, though Olney Theatre’s production endeavors are diverse and regularly include a variety of related activities as well. Essential skills include metal-working, wood-working, some plastic-working, and MIG welding. Rigging, cabinetry, specialty woodworking (such as turning), and foam carving experience are each a plus.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Read and understand blueprints and shop drawings, including the ability to work with and read scale measurements, to generate cut-lists, follow build instructions, and produce desired scenic elements using a variety of fabrication techniques including working with metal, wood, foam, plastic, fabrics, and more
• Construct scenic components as assigned
• Operate a wide variety of hand and power tools including welding equipment
• Participate in load-in of all productions
• Participate in the strike of all productions
• Assist with maintaining the organization and cleanliness of the scene shop
• Help to maintain a safe work environment
• Help to guide and train scenic carpentry apprentices
• Work with other members of the scenic team, including overhire and speciality trades when applicable, to build, load-in, and strike shows as required
• Foster a productive, positive environment through open communication and a dedication to problem solving.
• Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Sound working knowledge of theatrical conventions
• Strong Communication Skills
• Ability to read and understand theatrical drafting, shop drawings, and theatrical engineering documents
• Practical ability to use common scene shop tools, including but not limited to table saw, radial arm saw, compound miter saw, band saw, drill press, cordless drills, and various hand tools
• Able and willing to lift materials weighing over 50 pounds
• Able to work safely on ladders and lifts
• Theatrical Rigging knowledge preferred
• Calm and collected under pressure with a strongly demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and follow schedules and instructions.
• Creative, resourceful problem-solving skills
• Ability to multi-task with a strong sense of time management
• Strong communication skills both verbally and written
• Ability to work both independently and also as part of a team as well as willingness to both receive and provide guidance on projects as applicable
• Valid Driver’s license

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

● 2-3 years experience working in theatrical scenery preferred.

● Required: High school diploma or equivalent.

SALARY AND START DATE

The anticipated start date is February 3rd. Annual Salary of $46,500 moving up to $49,000 on 8/1 pending a performance review. Olney Theatre Center offers a complete benefits package, including a modest 403(b) match. Olney Theatre Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. Please visit www.olneytheatre.org for more details.

ABOUT OLNEY THEATRE CENTER

Located ten miles north of Washington, DC in arts-rich Montgomery County, Maryland, Olney Theatre Center is one of the Washington region's most critically acclaimed large theater companies. Founded in 1938 as a summer stock company on the Straw Hat circuit, OTC is now an $8M/year professional regional theater offering nine member productions annually in three spaces on its fourteen-acre campus. Legendary performers Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Sir Ian McKellen, Tandy & Cronyn, and Olivia de Havilland trod the boards in the early days. With a more recent turn towards new work, creatives with Tony and Grammy Awards, OBIEs, and MacArthur Genius Grants have premiered their work here, like Moises Kaufman and Sergio Trujillo, among others. Along with Baltimore's Centerstage, Olney Theatre Center is one of Maryland's two state-designated theaters.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit by any means that you would like (letter, video, video letter, resume, portfolio, etc.) that best represents you and your work to [e-mail] no calls please. Include and highlight any skills or experiences you think would be most crucial to this position. Depending on the volume of responses we may only be able to respond to candidates we wish to interview.

Box Office: 301.924.3400

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