Wig Lead (short term)

Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Ashland (OR); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, seeks a Wig Lead to oversee the creation, construction, and technical aspects of wigs, hairstyles, and specialty makeup for OSF shows. This role runs hair, wig, and makeup tracks under Wardrobe and Hair management.

The position requires extensive wig-making experience, leadership, and the ability to train crews, manage fittings, and support design decisions. Irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, are expected in this full-time union role.

Qualifications

• Four years of professional wig/hairstyling experience or four years as wig/run crew.
• Bachelor’s degree or certification may substitute for two years of professional experience.
• Advanced knowledge of theatrical wig making and hairstyling.

Responsibilities

• Create wigs, facial hair, hairstyles, and makeup per designer and show requirements.
• Collaborate with Costume Designer on looks, workloads and resources.
• Train wig crew and run crew on wig and makeup routines and show maintenance.
• Attend rehearsals, take notes, and assist in run sheets and alterations.
• Maintain wig rooms, stock, and inventory for the season.

Skills

Wig making

Hairstyling

Ventilation

Cap construction

Facial hair

Hair textures

Makeup techniques

Problem solving

Education

Theatrical wig making degree (or equivalent)

Tools

Ventilation tools

Scissors

Hair care products

Wig cap construction tools

Job description

• On-site
• Hair and Wig
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: WIGLE001450

Description

Position Overview:

The Wig Lead is responsible for the creation, construction, and tech of wigs, hairstyles, and specialty makeup for OSF shows. This position also runs hair, wig, and makeup tracks.

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Union – IATSE Local 154
Pay Rate: $30.84 per hour
Expected Start Date: 2/9/27
Expected End Date: 6/26/27
Location: Ashland, OR

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):

• Creates and executes the wigs, facial hair, hairstyles, and specialty makeup as specified by the Costume Designer. The show build process includes but is not limited to fabricating wig cap construction, hand-tied wigs and hairpieces, fronting purchased wigs, prioritizing and organizing cast information, conducting fittings, recording and organizing fitting information, and creating specialty makeup solutions.
• Collaborates with the costume designer to determine the look and wig and facial hair count along with actor needs on assigned productions. Determines feasible workloads given labor and material resources and collaborate with the designer and other stakeholders to create looks that are within those limits.
• Communicates regularly with costume department management and designer on fitting needs, haircuts/color services and design decisions.
• Models and supports the mission and values of OSF by:
  • Demonstrating inclusive behavior and creating an environment of belonging
  • Maintaining a safe and anti-racist working environment
  • Recognizing micro-aggressions and interrupting othering behaviors
• Sets up, prioritizes, and delegates ventilating projects to wig crew members. Trains and orients run crew on the assigned show to apply and remove wigs, hairpieces, makeup, and the show maintenance routines.
• Determines supplies needed for projects. Recommends, supplies, tools, and materials for general seasonal and show specific inventory. Works with management to coordinate purchasing.
• Instructs and helps actors learn how to style their natural hair for shows and apply specialty makeup.
• Attends technical and dress rehearsals of assigned shows as needed, takes notes, and completes alterations—assistants wig crew members in creating run sheets.
• Teaches wig crew members to ventilate, build, and style wigs and natural hair.
• Maintains the design and functional integrity of assigned shows throughout the season.
• Participates in rotation of running productions and maintenance of wigs.
• Executes wig/hair changes, including some quick changes as established through work with Wardrobe staff and Stage Management. There might be some help to wardrobe costume changes as needed but limited.
• Participates in the upkeep and cleanliness of the wig rooms, stock, and common wig department areas.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attends OSF, department, and show meetings as needed.
• Assists in other projects as assigned by Wardrobe and Hair Manager
• Notifies manager immediately of any damage to wigs or show-related incidents/issues.
• Assumes all other Wig Technician Duties and Responsibilities (as needed)

Supervision Received:

Wardrobe and Hair Manager; Wardrobe and Hair Supervisor

Supervision Exercised:

none

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Work Experience: Four years of professional experience as an Assistant Wig Lead and/or Wig and Hair Technician or a combined four years of theatrical wig making/ run crew professional experience. Bachelor’s, advanced degree, or certification from an accredited program specializing in theatrical wig making may substitute for two years of professional experience.

Qualifications/skills:

• Advanced knowledge of theatrical wig making and hairstyling. Must have advanced knowledge and experience in the following areas: ventilation, wig cap construction (closures (tops), fronts, fully hand-tied), facial hair construction, working with the full range of hair textures, and styling natural hair.
• Experience in the styling and care of Black/African American and multi-ethnic hair, wigs, and wig making.
• Advanced knowledge of the history of both men’s and women’s contemporary and period hair styles.
• Moderate knowledge of makeup techniques for all skin types and excellent skills in Stage, Beauty, Fantasy, and Period makeup as well as Special Effects, Prosthetics, etc.
• Advanced knowledge of styling equipment, ventilation tools, scissors and general hair care and theatrical makeup products.
• Ability to estimate show costs in time and materials and prioritize work tasks for show builds.
• Excellent organization and communication skills, including but not limited to show bibles, show maintenance scheduling and strike scheduling/process.
• Excellent technical problem solving and building skills.

Physical Ability:

Must be able to sit and stand for eight hours or more. Job requires continuous and repetitive use of hands and wrists for both fine and forceful gripping. Ability to reach above head, lift up to 10 pounds, and repeatedly ascend and descend stairs.

Other Skills, Ability and/or Knowledge:

Moderate knowledge of computers and cloud storage systems. Ability to maintain a positive work atmosphere with actors and colleagues. Must multitask, prioritize, and execute tasks on schedule.

Special Position Requirements:

Must be able to pass a background check. This position is represented by IATSE Local 154.

Special Hours Requirements:

Irregular work schedule including evenings and weekends, generally a 5-6 day week

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

License in cosmetology

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 musicians, 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.

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 systemic 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.