Production Staff

Williamstown Theatre Festival; Williamstown (MA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the performing arts is seeking passionate Production Staff for its upcoming season. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage in both technical and creative aspects of productions, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of a renowned summer festival. Team members will work across various departments, fostering collaboration and creativity while ensuring the highest standards of production quality. If you are enthusiastic about theater and eager to make a meaningful impact, this role is perfect for you. Join a community that values artistic excellence and inclusivity.

Benefits

Free housing on campus

Flexible working hours

Access to campus facilities

Collaborative work environment

Qualifications

• Experience in a management role with attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate installation and maintenance of production elements.
• Collaborate with creative teams for smooth execution of shows.
• Maintain a positive organizational culture.

Skills

Technical drafting skills

Knowledge of theatrical equipment

Interpersonal skills

Management skills

Adaptability

Education

No specific educational credentials required

Job description

Description

POSITION: Production Staff(hiring 10)

CLASSIFICATION: Seasonal - Full Time

STATUS: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Production Supervisor

SUPERVISES: Production

LOCATION: Williamstown, MA

COMPENSATION: $20-22 Per Hour

HIRING TIMELINE: Applications to be accepted until filled with a priority application deadline of 2/14/2025. Application review and interviews to be conducted starting 2/17/2025 with an anticipated start date of 06/21/25.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Williamstown Theatre Festival, celebrated for its dedication to artistic excellence, is seeking skilled and passionate Production Staff to join our team for the 2025 season. Reporting to the Production Supervisor, team members will contribute to both the technical and creative aspects of productions, as well as the daily operations of public performances.

Roles will be tailored to each candidate's specific areas of interest (e.g., props, lighting, costumes, scenic and sound) while also providing opportunities to work across various production departments throughout the summer. If you are enthusiastic about the performing arts and eager to contribute your expertise while fostering a strong and supportive organizational culture, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Providing traditional production labor as a stage crew member, this will include facilitating the installation and maintenance of lighting, sound, scenic, props, costumes, and other production elements as assigned.
• Perform running crew duties for technical rehearsals and performances, including changeovers, and talkbacks as assigned.
• Collaborate with each creative team to ensure that all production elements of the show are executed smoothly and to the highest standard achievable.
• Help to create and maintain a positive and professional organizational culture within the festival, through your own actions and contributions as well as by helping to identify and address any issues that may arise or currently exist.
• Maintain a positive professional attitude and be willing to adapt to the changing needs of the productions.
• Assist with the load-in and load-out of campus spaces, including offices and workspaces, while tracking equipment inventory and organizing off-season storage.
• Adhere to safe working practices that comply with festival safety protocols and align with facility protocols set forth by Williams College.
• Embrace the Festival’s commitment to EDIA and Anti-Racism by actively participating in and encouraging behaviors among staff members that exemplify respect; interrupting microaggressions and other behaviors that hinder our EDIA and Anti-Racism efforts; engaging in the diversification of the workforce; demonstrating a degree of cultural competency that encourages healthy relationships with all company members
• Participate in end-of-season debrief meetings and document insights to improve the position's processes and enhance the production management department's effectiveness for the following season.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The Williamstown Theatre Festival requires no specific number of years of experience or minimum educational credentials.
• Experience in a management role, while maintaining attention to detail and a commitment to artistic quality.
• Technical drafting skills are preferred.
• Knowledge of a wide range of theatrical equipment and technologies is essential.
• Proven interpersonal, and management skills, with the ability to work with diverse teams with a supportive and collaborative approach.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic production environment and adapt to changing priorities and timelines.
• Must be capable of working long hours while standing. Valid drivers license preferred
• This job requires in-person work in Williamstown, MA.

About Williamstown Theatre Festival

After seven decades of helping to shape the American theater, Williamstown Theatre Festival is bringing emerging and professional artists together in the Berkshires to create a thrilling summer festival that expands the expression of theater and its essential role in society. The Festival will continue to produce the world premiere plays and musicals and bold new revivals that it’s come to be known for, while expanding into other forms of theatrical expression that brings many art forms together in exciting and innovative ways.

Williamstown Theatre Festival has always been, and continues to be, a creative hothouse for established and emerging artists and their work. More than 75 productions have transferred from the Festival to other regional theaters, Off-Broadway, and Broadway, with many productions being adapted for television and film. Thousands of actors, writers, designers, directors, and aspiring theater professionals from all fields that have come through the Festival to challenge themselves and their craft have gone on to prominence and recognition on Broadway, in Hollywood and beyond. Learn more at wtfestival.org.

Working and Living in Williamstown

Williamstown Theatre Festival’s season takes place on the beautiful campus of Williams College in Williamstown, MA with backdrops of the Berkshire, Green, and Taconic mountain ranges. Williamstown, MA (estimated pop. 7,813) is located in Berkshire County (estimated pop. 128,657) in Western Massachusetts and is an hour’s drive from Albany, NY and 30 minutes from Pittsfield, MA.

The Williams College campus and the 62’ Center for Theatre and Dance are within walking distance of Spring Street, which has several restaurants with dine-in and takeout options, a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, an independent movie theater, and several stores. The nearest grocery store is a 10-minute drive from campus and not within walking distance. Having a personal vehicle does provide more flexibility in grocery-shopping and expands dining and activities options. For those who bring vehicles, parking is free at designated locations on Williams campus with a parking pass. For a list of all the things to do and see in Williamstown and the Northern Berkshires, visit DestinationWilliamstown.org.

All seasonal staff are provided housing free of charge on campus at Williams College. Housing is dorm-style with private bedrooms and shared common areas, including bathroom and kitchen. Williams College housing is not air-conditioned. Weather ranges from evenings on the cooler side but can also be quite warm with temperatures in the 90s with high humidity.

We acknowledge that Williamstown Theatre Festival is a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) located in a county that is 91% white, according to the US Census Bureau. We are actively engaged in the work of becoming a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, accessible, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive institution that not only welcomes BIPOC artists and staff but nurtures an environment that allows everyone to thrive. More specific actions on these efforts can be found in our Progress Report on our website: https://wtfestival.org/work-learn/.

Williamstown Theatre Festival is committed to telling diverse stories and to fostering an inclusive environment both onstage and off. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We believe that opportunity, access, resources, and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Therefore, WTF is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants shall be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), disability, military status, veteran status, marital status, familial status, ancestry, genetics, or any other class or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Candidates from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply.