Wig Lead

Ultipro; Ashland (OR); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is seeking an experienced Wig Lead in Ashland, OR to join the Wig and Hair Department. You will create wigs, hairstyles, facial hair, and specialty makeup for productions, collaborating with Costume Designers and supporting fittings and rehearsals.

You will lead and mentor the wig crew, manage workload, and ensure design integrity while supporting performers through fittings and quick changes during performances.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional wig experience.
• Advanced wig construction and ventilation skills.
• Experience with Black/African American and multi-ethnic hair.
• Knowledge of period and contemporary hairstyles.
• Ability to estimate materials and labor.

Responsibilities

• Create wigs & hairpieces: build, ventilate, front, style, and maintain wigs and facial hair.
• Collaborate on design: work with Costume Designers to plan looks and materials.
• Lead & mentor: train run crew, delegate projects, teach wig techniques.
• Support performers: conduct fittings and assist with natural hair styling.
• Technical & performance support: attend rehearsals and manage wig changes.
• Maintain show integrity: ensure wigs and makeup stay true to design.

Skills

Ventilation

Wig cap construction

Facial hair

Wig making

Natural hair styling

Hair textures

Contemporary hairstyles

Theatrical makeup

Education

Advanced education or certification

Job description

Description

Now Hiring: Wig Lead

Department: Wig and Hair Department | Reports to: Wardrobe and Hair Manager
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Union – IATSE Local 154
Expected Start Date: November 2, 2026
Expected End Date: October 17, 2027
Pay Rate: $30.16 hourly
Location: Ashland, OR

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is seeking an experienced and creative Wig Lead to join our Wig and Hair Department. This role is ideal for a skilled theatrical wig professional who enjoys combining artistry, technical expertise, collaboration, and mentorship to bring characters to life onstage.

The Role You’ll Play

As Wig Lead, you’ll create, construct, and execute wigs, hairstyles, facial hair, and specialty makeup for OSF productions. You’ll collaborate with Costume Designers, support fittings and technical rehearsals, guide wig crew members, and help maintain the artistic and functional integrity of assigned shows throughout the season.

What You’ll Do

Create Wigs & Hairpieces: Build, ventilate, front, style, and maintain wigs and facial hair while executing hairstyles and specialty makeup based on each production’s design.

Collaborate on Design: Partner with Costume Designers and Costume Department management to determine looks, actor needs, wig counts, materials, and feasible workloads.

Lead & Mentor: Prioritize and delegate projects, train run crew on wig and makeup application and maintenance, and teach wig construction, ventilation, and styling techniques.

Support Performers: Conduct fittings and help actors with natural hair styling and specialty makeup for assigned productions.

Technical & Performance Support: Attend technical and dress rehearsals, execute wig and hair changes—including quick changes—and participate in running and maintaining productions.

Maintain Show Integrity: Keep accurate show information and ensure wigs, hairpieces, and makeup remain consistent with the approved design throughout the season.

You’ll Thrive Here If You…

Have 4+ years of professional experience as an Assistant Wig Lead, Wig and Hair Technician, or in theatrical wig making and run crew work. Relevant advanced education or certification may substitute for up to two years of professional experience.

Bring advanced skills in ventilation, wig cap construction, facial hair construction, wig making, natural hair styling, and working across the full range of hair textures.

Have experience styling and caring for Black/African American and multi-ethnic hair and wigs.

Bring strong knowledge of contemporary and period hairstyles and theatrical makeup techniques.

Are highly organized, collaborative, and comfortable estimating materials and labor while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

Ability to sit or stand for eight hours or more, perform continuous fine hand and wrist work, reach overhead, lift up to 10 pounds, and repeatedly use stairs. This position has an irregular schedule, including evenings and weekends, generally working a 5–6 day week .

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 musical, 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 systematic 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.