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Title: Properties and Scenic Artisan

Reports to: Production Manager

Start Date: Flexible

Position Overview

TheProperties and Scenic Artisan is essential to the creative core of CSC, collaborating closely with designers, other production team members, artistic associates, and the producing artistic director to ensure that all properties needs at CSC are executed to the highest possible standard. The Properties and Scenic Artisan will work closely with the Resident Scenic Designer, Technical Director, and Guest Scenic and Properties Designers to ensure that all props and paint treatments are executed with superior quality, on time, and within the labor and monetary resources allocated for a given production.

The Properties and Scenic Artisan should have strong artisan skills as well as being self-starting, able to manage a schedule, track and integrate report and design feedback, and work on multiple productions simultaneously. The Properties and Scenic Artisan has no direct reports, but will occasionally supervise overhire. They are responsible for executing all properties and paint needs for every production produced by CSC. This is typically a combination of renting, borrowing, pulling from stock, purchasing, and fabrication depending on the needs of a given production. The position requires solid general prop artisan and scenic artist skills in many areas and techniques (food fabrication, soft good creation, various paint techniques, furniture fabrication, upholstery, carpentry, metal work, etc.). They are also responsible for managing the rental of CSC props and arranging rentals with other organizations as necessary for CSC production execution. 

The base schedule for the Properties and Scenic Artisan is 9:00am-5:30pm Monday through Friday when we are not in a tech process opening a show. During those approximately 10-12 weeks a year, the schedule involves evenings and weekend hours such as Saturday-Friday 12pm-11pm (with breaks as needed). These extended hours and modified workweeks are regularly necessary due to install and technical rehearsals. 

To consistently achieve excellence, it is possible that the Properties and Scenic Artisan may be asked to assist departments beyond their area of focus or expertise. This effort is requested under exceptional circumstances. 

Qualifications

Required skills include:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field with 1+ year of properties/paint experience or 2+ years of properties/paint experience. 

• Experience building, purchasing, renting props. 

• Intermediate scenic and prop painting skills. 

• Some scene shop tool and construction knowledge. 

• Highly motivated, detail-oriented, excellent organizational skills. 

• Strong verbal communication skills. 

• Physical requirements include climbing stairs and ladders, lifting up to 40lbs repeatedly, bending, and kneeling. 

• Valid driver’s license and reliable mode of transportation. 

Preferred skills include:

• Experience in scenic artistry, carpentry, crafting, and sewing 

• Experience working with power tools and basic knowledge of OSHA safety guidelines 

• Experience creating and tracking a materials and labor budget 

• Comfort in planning and executing short, mid, and long-term goals simultaneously 

• Experience leading teams of people during task execution 

• Comfortable working on multiple productions simultaneously. 

• Advanced scenic artistry skills. 

• Intermediate prop artistry and/or scenic carpentry skills. 

• Experience supervising overhire painters.

A successful candidate will also possess or exercise the following qualities:

• Strong verbal communication skills. 

• Effective listening and problem-solving skills. 

• Ability to thrive and adapt in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. 

• Self-sufficient while also a collaborative team player. 

• Enthusiasm, integrity, and energy. 

• Tactful communication under stress. 

• A sense of humor.

Responsibilities

Production

• Obtain all props required for CSC productions. 

• This includes a combination of pulling from stock, renting, purchasing, and building. 

• Set dressing and furniture are considered props. 

• Purchase all materials, equipment, and tools necessary for properties design execution. 

• Execute budget passes based on properties design drafts for all productions. 

• Source and oversee CSC rentals from outside theaters and companies, ensuring all equipment is maintained, accounted for, cleaned, and returned on time. 

• Attend production meetings, technical rehearsals, and other events as required by the Production Manager. 

• Communicate closely with Stage Management regarding rehearsal props, additions, cuts, final props, and any prop traffic into and out of the rehearsal room. 

• Execute notes from designers and other production team members.

• Manage CSC properties rentals.

• Collaborate and plan with guest designers on builds, budgets, and sourcing of items. 

• Set-up properties storage areas and inventory system (including weapon armory). 

• Manage properties strike and restocking following the close of every production. 

• Restore all production spaces to a clean and tidy fashion on a regular basis. 

• Engage contractors as necessitated by design execution. 

• Manage personnel (staff, overhire, interns) working for the properties department. 

• Participate in stage cleaning and preparation leading into technical rehearsals and build processes.

• During production changeovers, the Properties Lead provides a minimum of 1 day/week of assistance to the Technical Director for scenic install and execution. 

• Collaborate with the paints department, including serving as a scenic artist on all productions. 

• General work calls including: 

• Participate in scenic strikes and changeovers. 

• Participate in stage cleaning and preparation leading into technical rehearsals and build processes.

• Participate in staff annual review processes. 

• Maintain and enforce high safety standards. 

• Additional scenic duties may be assigned to the Properties Manager depending on the challenges of a given production. These tasks may include, but are not limited to scenic construction, installation, and painting.

Fiscal

Collaborate with the Production Manager to establish annual prop, scenic, and paints department budgets, including: 

• Material budgets per production, 

• Overhire budgets, 

• Annual shop and expendable supply budgets, and 

• Capital expense recommendations.

• Submit weekly expense reports. 

• Monitor budget lines to make financially-informed purchases and avoid overspending.

General

• Adhere to company policies and regulations per the CSC Company Handbook. 

• Must have a reliable mode of personal transportation. 

• Maintain a safe, fair, and ethical working environment. 

• Collaborate with the Production Manager to improve overall aesthetic product and production processes. 

• Participate production postmortem discussions and season planning efforts. 

• Ensure that all properties designs executed by CSC aim to achieve world-class standards.

• Other duties as requested by the Production Manager. 

Compensation & Benefits

This position is a full-time, non-exempt position with an hourly wage of $17-19 per hour depending upon previous experience, received through bi-weekly payroll. In addition to their earnings, the Properties and Scenic Artisan is eligible for the following benefits: 

• Paid vacation beginning at two weeks and increasing with additional years of service. 

• Paid holiday and sick leave. 

• Access to group health insurance with 50% of employee premiums paid by CSC. 

• Optional enrollment in Health Savings Account plan. 

• Access to dental insurance with 50% of employee premiums paid by CSC. 

• Life and AD&D coverage for the employee paid by CSC.

• Parental leave, short-term medical leave. 

• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with employer match. 

• Free access to CSC educational programming for dependents (Groundlings Junior, Groundlings, Summer Camp). 

• Complimentary enrollment and membership to the YMCA which offers fitness facilities throughout the region and other wellness benefits. 

• Complimentary and discounted tickets to all CSC productions. 

To Apply

To apply for this position, candidates should send their resume, cover letter, preferred start date, and three references to rob.stimmel@cincyshakes.com. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

If a candidate has questions about this position or requires different accommodations to submit an application, please contact rob.stimmel@cincyshakes.com.

Title: Teaching Artist
Reports to: Director of Education
Start Date: Flexible

Position Overview

We are seeking passionate and innovative Teaching Artists to join our education team.

Our Teaching Artists play a pivotal role in developing and delivering educational programs that inspire students and community members through the lens of Shakespearean works and classical theatre.

This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with a talented team of educators and artists while making a meaningful impact on the lives of learners of all ages.

Openings will be filled on an as-needed basis.

Responsibilities

• Lead engaging and interactive workshops, residencies, and programs centered on Shakespeare’s plays and related works.

• Facilitate classroom sessions, workshops, and rehearsals that integrate acting techniques, improvisation, text analysis, and other theatrical skills.

• Work with the Director of Education on creating innovative lesson plans and implementing program goals.

• Collaborate with educators, directors, and other teaching artists to ensure goals are met effectively.

• Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression.

• Evaluate program effectiveness and make recommendations for continuous improvement based on participant feedback and outcomes.

• Other duties as assigned depending on programming.

Competencies & Qualifications

The items listed below are guidelines to skills and ambitions that a successful candidate should have. Successful candidates will identify as possessing the majority of these skills or being actively interested and committed to developing these skills. Candidates who have yet to cultivate some of these attributes but feel passionate about growing them may still find success in this role.

• 2–3 years of teaching experience (or equivalent), with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following areas: Shakespeare, Acting, Improvisation, Stage Combat, Playwriting, or related disciplines.

• Strong knowledge and passion for Shakespeare’s works and classical theatre.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire students of diverse backgrounds and ages.

• Ability to travel to various sites within the tri-state area.

A successful candidate will also possess the following attributes:

Strong verbal and written communication skills; Effective listening and problem-solving skills; Ability to thrive and adapt in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment; Self-sufficient while also a collaborative team player; and Enthusiasm and integrity.

Additional Information:

• The role will require travel to various schools, community centers, and events throughout the tri-state area.

• Evening and weekend availability may be necessary based on program scheduling.

• Background checks are required for all teaching artists.

• Teaching Artists will be used for a variety of programs including workshops, PROJECT38, camps, and classes.

Compensation & Benefits

This position is a part-time, temporary, seasonal position an hourly wage of $15-30 per hour depending upon programming. Also included: mileage reimbursement and complimentary and discounted tickets to CSC productions.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé, and professional references to emily.bruns@cincyshakes.com. No phone calls please.

Position Overview

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company seeks overhire carpenters, painters, props artisans, and costume associates for several upcoming productions. Schedule is flexible, weekdays preferred with blocks of available time that are no less than four hours. Local candidates preferred.

Openings will be filled on an as-hired basis.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation ranges from $15.00 - $18.00 an hour paid through bi-weekly payroll via direct deposit.

For Consideration

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants should submit a résumé, references, which date(s) they are interested in, and a list of related skills to rob.stimmel@cincyshakes.com. No phone calls please.