Scenic Charge Artist

Scenic Guild; Hartford (VT); On-site; USD 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental and Life Insurance

Vision optional $1/mo

Accident Insurance

403(b) retirement plan

FSA

Pet Insurance

Housing assistance

Job summary

Northern Stage in White River Junction, VT is seeking a Painter/Scenic Charge Artist to join our full‑time staff. The role reports to the Technical Director and covers a broad range of scenic painting tasks for mainstage and education seasons.

Position requires at least one year in professional shops, strong scenic painting skills, and the ability to read construction drawings. Benefits include dental and life insurance, a 403(b) plan, and PTO; housing may be available subject to availability.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in professional shops or related education/experience.
• Knowledge of theatrical scenic painting, surface treatments and building techniques.
• Ability to read construction drawings and paint elevations.
• Proficiency in color matching, carving, faux finishes, texturing, marbling, and wood graining.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and collaborative approach.
• OSHA 10‑Hour and aerial lift safety certifications are a plus.
• Comfortable working at heights in excess of 20 feet and able to lift 75 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Execute all painting techniques for in‑house scenery including carving, faux finishes, texturing and drop painting; perform touch ups for outsourced scenery during load-in and tech.
• Implement scenic and paint notes through run of productions.
• Collaborate with Technical Director to build paint schedule.
• Maintain Paint Shop cleanliness, safety, tools and stock.
• Color match and provide samples for Scenic Designers as requested.
• Assist with load-in focusing on paints and supporting other departments as needed.
• Attend scheduled production and staff meetings.

Skills

Theatrical painting

Reading drawings

Color matching

Problem solving

OSHA 10-Hour

Working at heights

Lifting 75 lbs

Education

BA/BFA in technical theater (plus)

Job description

Job Dates

8/24/2026 – 6/7/2027

Pay

$900 per week biweekly

Northern Stage, a LORT D 240 seat regional theater in White River Junction, VT, seeks a Painter/Scenic Charge Artist to join our full-time staff. Northern Stage produces a mainstage season, an education season, a New Works festival, and 4-6 other events year-round. This position reports directly to the Technical Director.

Responsibilities

• – Execute all paint techniques needed for in-house built scenery including carving, faux finishes, texturing, and drop painting. Do any touch ups and notes necessary for outsourced scenery during the load-in and tech process
• – Executes scenic and paint related notes through the run of productions
• – Work with Technical Director to build paint schedule
• – Keep the Paint Shop and associated work areas clean and safe. Maintain tools, equipment, and stock necessary for the Paint Shop
• – Color match and provide samples for Scenic Designers as requested
• – Assist with load-in primarily focused on paints but helping additional departments as necessary
• – Attend scheduled production and staff meetings

Qualifications

• – One year of experience in professional shops. A combination of education and professional experience will be considered
• Knowledge of theatrical scenic painting, surface treatments, and building techniques
• – Ability to read construction drawings and paint elevations
• – Proficiency in color matching, carving, faux finishes, texturing, marbling, and wood graining
• – Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to approach challenges collaboratively
• – OSHA General Industry 10-Hour and OSHA Aerial Lift Safety certifications are a plus
• – Comfortable working at heights in excess of 20 feet in a lift and on a tension mesh grid
• – Ability to safely lift 75 lbs.
• – BA or BFA in technical theater a plus

Job Type: Full time, with some nights and weekends required
Contract Dates: 8/24/2026 – 6/7/2027
Compensation: $900 per week, paid bi weekly (overtime exempt)
Benefits: Northern Stage offers dental and life insurance and covers 100% of these premiums, and offers vision as an optional add-on with an employee contribution of $1/month. Accident insurance is available at an employee cost of $15/month. We offer an employee-funded 403(b) retirement account, an FSA, and pet insurance. There is a 60-day waiting period following hiring before Northern Stage benefits become active, with the exception of the 403(b) program which is active on the first day of employment.
PTO: All full time Northern Stage staff members are eligible for Paid Time Off according to our PTO policy, which includes 12 vacation days annually, personal days, sick leave, and parental leave.

Subject to availability, subsidized housing is obtainable for lease through Northern Stage.

We believe the most important and impactful art is made when we consider and commit to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access both on and off of our stage. We highly encourage folks who are Black, Native or Indigenous, People of Color, Queer or Trans, Poor or Working Class, Disabled, Young, Elderly, and/or who speak English as a second language to apply. To learn more about Northern Stage, please visit our website: www.northernstage.org/education.