Prop Technician

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

The Villanova Department of Theatre & Studio Art seeks a part-time Prop Technician. This role involves working with a production team to create, manage, and maintain props for productions in a dynamic, hands-on environment. Ideal candidates will have experience in scenic construction techniques and will work closely with students of varying skills in a professional scenic shop. The position offers flexible hours averaging 20-30 hours per week during standard shop hours with occasional evening and weekend work.

Qualifications

• Experience in scenic and prop construction techniques is essential.
• Preferred Bachelor's degree in Technical Theatre or equivalent experience.
• Comfortable using various woodworking, metalworking, and painting tools.

Responsibilities

• Construct, finish, and install furniture/prop elements for productions.
• Attend weekly production meetings and communicate prop needs.
• Load props and furniture into performance spaces and restore items post-production.

Skills

Woodworking

Metalworking

Painting

Basic Math

Construction Techniques

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Theatre (BA or BFA)

Tools

Power Tools

Hand Tools

Job description

Hours/week: 20-30, Semester 2025 Fall-2026 Spring

Work Schedule: Work hours take place during standard shop hours, 10am-5pm, M-F, with a 2-hour minimum per work call. Some evening & weekend work hours may be offered.

Job Description Summary:

Villanova Department of Theatre & Studio Art seeks a part-time Prop Technician. The position will report to the Production Manager and will work with the Technical Director and Assistant Technical Director in the scenic shop and in the Mullen Performing Arts Center’s various performance theater spaces. Work includes construction, finish, and installation of various furniture/prop elements for mainstage productions. The scenic shop is a professionally-run wood, metal, and paint shop that also employes graduate and undergraduate students and this position will work with students of varying levels of experience and skills in theatre production.

Specific duties may include:

Reading mainstage production scripts, creating prop lists and tracking documents for each production

Attending weekly production meetings for mainstage productions

Communicating with the production’s Director and Stage Manager regarding both rehearsal and production prop needs

Creating lists of items and supplies for purchase

Operating common wood construction tools in custom stage scenery fabrication

Assisting with application of various scenic paint treatments, finishes, and other scenic decorative elements and techniques (e.g., spackle and joint compound, water-based latex paints, paint sealers, glues, faux finishes, and wallpapers, etc.)

Fabricating custom hand props and furniture

Repurposing and/or basic assembly of hand props and furniture

Reading and interpreting construction shop drawings and/or taking written and verbal instructions from staff supervisors and/or assisting student workers to better read/interpret drawings

Loading all props and furniture items into the performance space

Attending all designer runs and technical rehearsal

Monitoring rehearsal and performance reports for any notes and maintenance needed

Attending load out and restocking/restoring all prop items

Requirements:

Demonstrated experience in scenic and prop construction techniques.

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Theatre (BA or BFA) preferred, or equivalent professional experience.

Additional Information / Physical Demands Summary:

Skills - Applicants should be comfortable using a wide variety of woodworking, metalworking, painting, and construction-oriented power and hand tools, have some understanding of fundamental geometry and basic math skills, as well as the ability to receive verbal and/or written instructions, sometimes in the form of shop construction drawings or paint elevations.

Physical Demands - Applicants should be comfortable lifting & carrying at least 25lbs. Work is often of a physical nature and technicians may be on their feet for most work calls; there is regular exposure to standard building materials (such as wood, engineered wood products, foam, plastics, steel, wood & white glues, water-based latex paints, joint compound, etc.); work is most often performed in noisy environments where power tools are often running; hands & clothing may become dirty or splattered w/ paint, glue, grease, etc.

Personal Protection Equipment (i.e., safety glasses, earplugs, and/or dust masks, etc.) is encouraged, required, and can be provided by the Theatre Scene Shop.

Wage Rate: $20-23/hour

Mission Statement:

Villanova Theatre, the producing arm of the Department of Theatre and Studio Art, is a laboratory for students to deepen their understanding of curriculum through ambitious onstage work. Our artist-scholars leave this program with the power to transform hearts and minds by engaging individuals and fostering communities. In pursuit of this mission, we commit ourselves to academic excellence, to our values and traditions, and to our students, alumni, and the global community.

Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
The Philadelphia Building
1315 Walnut Street, Suite 1101
Philadelphia, PA 19107
email: [e-mail]