PAC Stagehand

Grosse Pointe Public School System; Grosse Pointe (MI); On-site; USD 19,286 - 23,419; Full time

Job summary

Grosse Pointe Public School System is seeking a PAC Stagehand to provide technical, scenic, and operational support for district performing arts venues, productions, and events. You will work within a centralized technical team to assist with set construction, audio/lighting setup, venue maintenance, and live event coverage across multiple facilities.

The ideal candidate collaborates with the Director and Technical Director, follows safety guidelines, and maintains a professional appearance

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience with live theater, events, or stagecraft preferred.
• Ability to read production run sheets and diagrams.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build, transport, and strike scenic elements and props.
• Assist with audio and lighting setup and operation for events.
• Collaborate to align technical elements with the director's vision.
• Maintain clean, safe backstage areas and shop spaces.
• Provide professional event support and customer service during rehearsals and performances.

Skills

Hand tools & safety

Verbal instructions reading

Interpersonal communication

Adaptability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Wenger risers

Job description

Reports To: Technical Director

Pay Range: $13.73/ hr $17.39 / hr (D.O.E.)

Position Overview

The PAC Stagehand provides technical, scenic, and operational support for all district performing arts venues, school productions, and live district events. Working as part of a centralized 6-person technical team, this role involves set construction, audio/lighting setup, venue maintenance, and live event support across multiple district facilities year-round. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, safety-minded problem solver who thrives in a varied, fast-paced environment, takes proactive ownership of tasks, maintains a professional appearance appropriate for a school setting, and understands how to adapt creative technical elements to fulfill the primary director's production vision.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Scenic Construction & Deck Work: Build, assemble, transport, and strike scenic elements, staging platform systems (e.g., Wenger risers), and props according to production specifications, established venue SOPs, and safety guidelines.
• Live Audio & Lighting Support: Assist with the installation, cabling, operation, and strike of audio reinforcement and lighting rigs for theatrical performances, concerts, district board meetings, and special events using standard equipment packages.
• Collaborative Execution: Execute scenic, lighting, or audio elements collaboratively, maintaining the flexibility to adapt technical and artistic choices to align with the primary Director's or Technical Director's vision.
• Venue & Shop Maintenance: Maintain clean, safe, and organized scene shops, backstage areas, lighting catwalks, and technical storage facilities.
• Event Support & Customer Service: Interact professionally and calmly with educators, student crews, guest performers, and administrative personnel during rehearsals and live events, maintaining an appropriate dress code for the venue.
• Proactive Task Ownership: Execute daily task lists independently or as part of a crew, demonstrating self-directed initiative to prepare venues ahead of scheduled event timelines.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Basic familiarity with hand tools and portable power tools (e.g., drills, saws) with a strict commitment to workshop safety procedures.
• Ability to follow verbal instructions, technical diagrams, standard venue setup sheets, or basic production run sheets.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to collaborate productively with non-technical school staff and maintain composure under pressure.
• Adaptable mindset with the ability to balance creative input with objective direction from project leads.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Must be able to repeatedly lift and carry up to 5060 lbs (team lifting required for heavier staging elements).
• Comfortable working at height from ladders, scaffolding, and personnel lifts (genie lifts), as well as working in darkened venue environments and tight spaces.
• Ability to perform occasional outdoor work in varying weather conditions to support outdoor district events (e.g., graduation ceremonies, field days, athletic audio setups).
• Full-time, year-round position requiring a flexible schedule. While shifts primarily occur during daytime operational hours, schedules vary based on venue events, rehearsals, tech weeks, and rotating district board meetings. Must adhere to venue safety dress codes (closed-toe protective footwear for shop/deck work) and appropriate show attire during live performance support.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Prior hands-on experience in live technical theater, event production, or scenic carpentry (formal degree not required).
• Valid Driver's License (Chauffeur's endorsement or willingness to obtain one for district vehicle operation is a plus).