Scenic Carpenter

SUU; Cedar City, Northern (UT, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Utah Shakespeare Festival at Southern Utah University seeks a scenic carpenter for the 2026–2027 season to fabricate and install scenery for eight-show repertory and three Green Shows across four venues in summer/fall. Duties include safe fabrication, load-ins, and changeovers under the Scenery Director.

Strong fabrication skills and rigging knowledge are essential. Minimum qualifications include a degree or equivalent experience, plus ability to read drawings and work independently in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in technical theater or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional experience in wood and steel scenic fabrication.
• Ability to interpret construction drawings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast paced environment.
• Working knowledge of tools and techniques for fabrication including wood, steel, foam, rigging, and hardware.
• Basic theatrical rigging knowledge and experience.

Responsibilities

• Participate in safe, efficient fabrication and modification of repertory scenic elements.
• Assist in load-in and changeover of scenic elements, including flown and automated pieces.
• Modify scenery in response to rehearsal notes.
• Maintain clear communication with scenery and paint teams.
• Operate department vehicles and production equipment safely.
• Assist in maintenance and repair of equipment and assets.
• Participate in training of stage crew on use, maintenance, and changeover of scenery.

Skills

Wood fabrication

Steel fabrication

Construction drawings

Collaboration in fast-paced env

General fabrication tools

Rigging knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical theater

Job description

The Tony-award winning UTAH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, a professional theater company in residence at Southern Utah University, is accepting applications for Production Staff for the 2026 season. The Utah Shakespeare Festival produces an eight-show repertory season and three Green Shows across four venues in the summer/fall of each year. Position details below.

Scenic carpenters are responsible for the safe and efficient high quality fabrication and installation of scenery for the Utah Shakespeare Festival under the direction of the Scenery Director. Employment begins as early as January 25,2027 to as late as July 24,2027. Some employment dates can be combined if interested in build and stage crew positions.

First Consideration Date: 11/01/2026.

Duties and Responsibilities: Participate in the safe, efficient, and quality fabrication and modification of repertory scenic elements for the Utah Shakespeare Festival under the direction of department management.

• Participate in the safe, efficient, and quality fabrication and modification of repertory scenic elements for the Participate in load in and changeover of scenic elements, including elements that are flown and automated.
• Participate in modification of scenery in response to notes from the rehearsal process.
• Maintain clear communication with members of the scenery and paint departments.
• Operate departmental vehicles and production equipment safely
• Participate in the maintenance and repair of departmental equipment and assets.
• Participate in the training of stage crew staff of use, maintenance, repair and changeover of scenery.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized working environment and uphold policies and procedures of the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University.Utah Shakespeare Festival under the direction of department management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in technical theater or equivalent professional experience
• Professional experience in wood and steel scenic fabrication
• Ability to interpret construction drawings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast paced environment.
• Working knowledge of tools and techniques for fabrication including, but not limited to, wood, steel, foam, rigging, and hardware.
• Basic theatrical rigging knowledge and experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Mig welding certification or experience.
• Chain motor rigging and operation.
• Professional experience working in rotating repertory theater.
• Entertainment automation installation and use.
• Valid Driver’s license and ability to operate a manual transmission.

Documents needed to apply:

• 3 Professional references.

Due to recent changes in H1B visa fees, Southern Utah University is no longer able to sponsor international faculty and staff that require an H1B visa and are currently living outside of the United States.