Theatre Production Stagehand- Federal Work Study Only

McDaniel College; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

McDaniel College invites an undergraduate student to join the theatre production team as a Stagehand. The role supports Alumni Hall's mainstage season with scenic build, load-in/strike, lighting, audio, and run crew across multiple tech areas.

No prior theatre or technical experience is required as full training is provided; position demands climbing, heights, and teamwork, with flexible scheduling and semester-long commitment.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate student at McDaniel College.
• Has Federal Work Study as part of a Financial Aid Package.
• Available to work Tuesday evenings OR Fridays for the full semester.
• Has the ability to climb ladders, work at height on platforms/towers, crawl in tight spaces, and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Prior experience with tools, construction, rigging, lighting, or audio equipment preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Build, move, and install scenery - carpentry, rigging, painting, load-in/strike.
• Hang, focus, and run lighting equipment.
• Set up, run, and strike audio equipment.
• Work at height and in tight spaces - climbing ladders and towers, crawling under platforms and decks, working on scaffolding and rigging.
• Carry and move heavy equipment and scenic units safely as part of a team.
• Run backstage/show crew tracks during tech and performances.

Education

Undergraduate student at McDaniel College

Job description

Theatre Production Stagehand- Federal Work Study Only

McDaniel College is a four-year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the original "Colleges That Change Lives," McDaniel emphasizes experiential learning and student-faculty collaboration to develop the unique potential in every student. Represented by the Green Terror, over 20 athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference. A student-centered community of 1,600 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students offers access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., plus a European campus in Budapest, Hungary. At McDaniel College we value our employees by offering our full-time employees tuition remission, 403B retirement accounts, paid time off, medical insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and paid maternity and parental leave. For more information about the college's benefits, please click here to review the 2026 benefits guidebook and click here to view 2026 premium rates. Click here to see how McDaniel College employees impact the lives of students.

Job Description:

Job Title: Theatre Production Stagehand

Effective Date: 08/17/2026

Reports to: Technical Director of Theatre

Department: Theater Arts

Rate of Pay: Maryland Minimum Wage

FSLA Status: Non-Exempt

Location of Position: Alumni Hall, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157

Duration of Appointment: August 5, 2026 to May 25, 2027

Schedule: Schedule is at discretion of supervisor

Evaluation Procedures: Student workers are evaluated on a continuous basis.

Scope:

Alumni Hall's production crew supports all technical aspects of McDaniel Theatre's mainstage season -scenic construction, load-in/strike, rigging, lighting, sound, and run crew during performances. This is a physical, all-hands position: stagehands are trained across every technical discipline and are expected to jump in wherever the production needs them on a given day, from building sets in the shop to running shows from backstage.

Responsibilities:

This is a physical, hands-on production position supporting Alumni Hall's mainstage season (scenic build, load-in/strike, lighting, audio, and run crew). No prior theatre or technical experience required -full training provided. Applicants must be able to climb, crawl, and work at height, and carry/move equipment as part of a team. Tuesday evenings or Fridays are required availability; additional hours vary by production calendar.

• Build, move, and install scenery - carpentry, rigging, painting, load-in/strike
• Hang, focus, and run lighting equipment
• Set up, run, and strike audio equipment
• Work at height and in tight spaces - climbing ladders and towers, crawling under platforms and decks, working on scaffolding and rigging
• Carry and move heavy equipment and scenic units safely as part of a team
• Run backstage/show crew tracks during tech and performances
• Follow all safety protocols and PPE requirements as trained

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Current undergraduate student at McDaniel College.
• Has Federal Work Study as part of a Financial Aid Package.
• Comfortable with following directions, as well as works well with others, as part of a crew.
• Available to work Tuesday evenings OR Fridays for the full semester.
• Has the ability to climb ladders, work at height on platforms/towers, crawl in tight spaces, and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Prior experience with tools, construction, rigging, lighting, or audio equipment preferred, but not required.

Physical Characteristics:

• Ability to climb, crawl, kneel, and work at height; lift and carry up to 50 lbs.; stand and move for extended periods; work comfortably on ladders and elevated platforms.

Schedule:

• Must be available Tuesday evenings OR Fridays, at minimum, throughout the semester (these are the primary crew call times).
• Additional shop and show hours (build days, tech week, performances) will vary week to week based on the production calendar and will be communicated in advance.
• Some schedule flexibility is required, especially during tech and performance weeks.

Additional Information:

McDaniel College, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected status including protective hairstyle, race, religion, color, ancestry or national origin, disability, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status, or any other actual or perceived legally protected characteristics.