Props Artisan II

Ultipro; Ashland (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) in Ashland, OR seeks a skilled Props Artisan to build, repair and transport stage props for multiple productions. The role requires reading drawings, fabricating props, and collaborating with the Properties Manager and designers.

Qualified candidates have a theatre arts degree or equivalent experience, at least five years’ prop experience, and physical stamina for heavy lifting and climbing. OSF emphasizes inclusion and safety in its work environment.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts or equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years’ experience as a props professional.
• Physical ability to lift up to 75 pounds and work on ladders or lifts.

Responsibilities

• Build, repair, and maintain rehearsal and show props.
• Deliver and transfer props to theatres and rehearsal halls.
• Dress scenery with props during load-ins and changes.
• Update Properties Manager on progress and inventory.
• Interpret drawings and construction methods from designers.
• Maintain stock inventory and notify when low.
• Strike, restore, archive props after use.

Skills

Sewing skills

Carpentry

Upholstery

Paint/finish

Prop fabrication

Detail-oriented

Independent collaboration

Leadership/mentoring

Fabrication design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts

Tools

MIG welder

Lathe

Table saw/routers

Plotters/Vinyl cutters

Printers

Photoshop/Illustrator

Wood/metal shop tools

Job description

Description

Position Overview:

Your primary responsibilities are to assist in the building, pulling, modification and transport of props for all OSF productions.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with IATSE Local 154.

Pay rate: $ 27.75 hourly

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions**):

• Builds, repairs, and maintains rehearsal and show props for stage productions. Projects may include but are not limited to:
• Furniture fabrication.
• Fabricating or altering hand, paper, or consumable props.
• Set decorations and dressing.
• Sewing and working with soft goods
• Models and supports the IDEA values of OSF by:
  • Demonstrating inclusive behavior and creating an environment of belonging.
  • Maintaining a safe and anti-racist working environment
  • Recognizing micro-aggressions and interrupting othering behaviors.
• Deliver and transfer props to theatres and rehearsal halls.
• Dress the scenery with props during load-ins and as necessary on changeovers.
• Updates the Properties Manager daily on work progress.
• Interprets drawings and research provided by scenic designers and Properties Managers and determines the best construction method.
• Maintains inventory of stock material, in collaboration with co-workers, and notifies the Properties Manager when inventory is low
• Strikes and restores props when rehearsals and productions end and packages, labels, and archives props for productions which may be remounted.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Repairs and maintains properties shop spaces, tools and equipment.
• Completes research and shops online as requested.
• Attends company, department, shop meetings, I.D.E.A. training and safety trainings as assigned.
• Pick up and deliver supplies
• Engage with OSF patrons
• Support Marketing and Development efforts.
• Mentor colleagues as requested.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by managers

Supervision Received:

Properties Manager

Qualifications & Skills:

REQUIRED :

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts or equivalent experience.

Work Experience: Minimum Five years’ experience working as a props professional.

Physical Ability:

Must be able to: Lift and move materials and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds, wear fall arrest harnesses, wear respirator, frequently lift, load/unload vehicles and move furniture, regularly squat and maintain position while assembling projects, regularly crawl and kneel while assembling projects, regularly reach above shoulders to assemble overhead projects, regularly climb and work from ladders and personnel lifts, occasionally climb vertical ladders, stand and walk for up to 8 hours.

Shop Structure: Our shop is set up as Prop Artisans and Properties Managers. Artisans are split up into Artisan 1, 2, 3 or Principal Props Artisan based on skills and experience. All artisans report directly to Properties Managers

Artisan 2 Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Sewing Skills including experience with hand sewing, home and industrial Machines, using a Serger.
• Carpentry skills including experience with all basic hand tools, chop saws, table saws, routers, belt sanders and all standard shop tools.
• Advanced carpentry skills including turning on lathe, joinery, lamination, applying wood veneer and other advanced skills.
• Advanced upholstery skills and experience with difficult shapes, cushions, patterns, tufting and other advanced skills..
• Skills in fabricating paper props including experience with Photoshop, Word, Illustrator, using printers, plotters, vinyl cutters, and using a variety of different printing materials.
• Basic electrical skills including making simple props light up.
• Scenic painting skills including experience painting props and painting wood to look like wood.
• Advanced carving and sculpture skills with a variety of materials
• Finish skills, a full understanding of what a finished product looks like. Not leaving splintered rough edges, loose threads, or obvious visible defects.
• Skill in working both independently and collaboratively with members of all departments to ensure proper development, completion, and installation of props.
• Basic knowledge of period and style.
• Ability to maintain a positive work environment by communicating and behaving in a positive manner with all artists and staff from a variety of experience levels and backgrounds.
• The ability to extrapolate an image to a construction drawing.
• Ability to teach and provide leadership to Artisan 1’s.
• Experience with plastics and fiberglass.
• Metal working Skills including using a MIG welder, some beginner TIG welding experience, being able to use metal shop tools to cut, shape and grind steel.
• Able to support the Principal Props Artisan in the construction and execution of Props

Standard work week is Monday – Friday. Occasional overtime including night-time and weekend hours are required for load-ins, load-outs, and technical rehearsal support.

PREFERRED : CNC programming or 3D Printing knowledge and experience.

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 musicians, 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.