Seasonal Capstone Props Supervisor

confidential; United States; On-site; USD 34,000 - 49,000; Part time

Job summary

The New School is seeking a Seasonal Capstone Props Supervisor to lead capstone festival builds, alterations, and sourcing for multiple on‑campus productions. This 30‑hour/week, nonexempt temp role reports to the Props Supervisor and coordinates with students, set designers, and staff to ensure design intent, safety, and festival-wide prop integration.

The ideal candidate has two years of theatrical properties experience, strong carpentry, sewing and upholstery skills, and comfort with power

Qualifications

• Two years experience in theatrical properties required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple Capstone productions and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead Capstone Festival props builds and alterations for multiple productions.
• Oversee procurement, sourcing, and overhire props artisans as scheduled.
• Coordinate with set designers and students to fulfill needs.
• Maintain prop storage, safety, and cross‑department communication.
• Attend capstone meetings and support expense reconciliation.

Skills

Theatrical properties experience

Excellent communication

Work under tight deadlines

Power tools comfortable

Carpentry

Sewing

Upholstery

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Workday

Adobe Photoshop

Supervisory experience

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Workday

Adobe Photoshop

Job description

At The New School, we redefine the boundaries of education, creativity, and innovation. Founded in 1919 and located in the heart of New York City, we are home to over 9,000 students from over 100 countries, offering more than 135 degree and diploma programs across our renowned colleges, including Parsons School of Design, The New School for Social Research, Eugene Lang college of Liberal Arts, Parsons Paris, and the College of Performing Arts. Our progressive, interdisciplinary approach has earned us recognition as one of the most forward-thinking institutions in the world.

POSITION/ROLE OVERVIEW

Parsons, Mannes, Jazz, Drama at The New School is seeking a highly qualified Seasonal Capstone Props supervisor to assist the Props Department for the duration of the School of Drama’s Capstone Festival. The Capstone Festival features graduating students’ self-written and directed theatrical productions as capstone projects for the Master of Fine Arts in Contemporary Theatre and Performance degree program.

The Seasonal Capstone Props Supervisor will lead all builds, alterations, and sourcing for the capstone festival. They may be delegated to oversee inventory, overhire crew, and provide direct production support as needed. The Seasonal Capstone Props supervisor acts as the primary point of continuity across all Capstone productions, coordinating multi-show prop workflows, and managing cross-departmental communication to ensure consistency of design interpretation, safety standards, and festival-wide prop integration.

The ideal candidate is an organized, collaborative professional who can take initiative, manage independent projects, and thrive in a fast-paced, highly team-oriented environment. The Seasonal Capstone Props Supervisor reports to the Props Supervisor.

This is an FLSA nonexempt hourly (30 hours per week) temporary position with a desired start date of January 31st 2027, and an end date of April 16th 2027. This position may be renewed pending institutional need and availability of funding.

CORE CAPABILITIES, PRIMARY DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the Capstone Festival’s Props Department primary point of contact, ensuring alignment of prop needs, schedules, and resource-sharing across all Capstone productions
• Act as lead artisan on show builds and alterations for the Capstone Festival, overseeing overhire props artisans as scheduled
• Collaborate closely with set designer and students to fulfill each Capstone production’s needs
• Read all rehearsal reports, and keep all props-related communication up-to-date
• Develop familiarity with show scripts, prop lists, and project specific paperwork
• Attend all Capstone production meetings
• Act as the designated Production representative during tech rehearsals
• Oversee Capstone Festival-specific logistics including rapid-turnover prop changes between productions, maintaining shared prop spaces, and managing festival-wide prop storage and repurposing strategies
• Travel to vendors or storage locations to procure and cart supplies and materials as needed
• Assist departmental leadership with tracking project-related spending, supporting the expense reconciliation process as needed
• Additional responsibilities as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years previous experience in theatrical properties required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to work productively, graciously, and professionally under strict time and space constraints
• Comfortable with power tools and heights
• Strong carpentry, sewing, and upholstery skills
• Experienced or able to learn and develop fluency in The New School’s suite of applications including Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Workday, and Adobe Photoshop
• Demonstrated managerial or supervisory experience is highly preferred, particularly in a production or arts-focused environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Social Justice, and the transformative power of the arts and education

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Driver’s license and comfort driving a cargo van
• Experience in an educational or teaching environment

WORK MODE

This position is primarily in-person and is based on campus to support effective in-person collaboration and engagement. #LI-Onsite

HOURLY RATE: $30.00/hour

WHY JOIN US?

This is an extraordinary opportunity to work closely with a visionary leader and contribute meaningfully to a forward-thinking institution that’s reshaping the future of higher education. You’ll be at the nexus of strategy, operations, and innovation in a role that grows with your impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The New School recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.