Props Supervisor

Description

POSITION:   Prop Supervisor  

CLASSIFICATION:  Seasonal - Full Time

STATUS:   Exempt

REPORTS TO:   Production Director

SUPERVISES:  Prop Staff 

LOCATION:   Williamstown, MA

COMPENSATION: $1250-$1500 Weekly 

HIRING TIMELINE: Applications to be accepted until filled with a priority application deadline of 1/12/2025. Application review and interviews to be conducted starting 1/15/2025 with an anticipated start date on or about 02/10/2025 for part-time work and full-time work beginning on 06/09/25.

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Williamstown Theatre Festival, renowned for its commitment to artistic excellence, is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to join our team as the Prop Supervisor for the 2025 season. As a department head within the production department, this position offers an exciting opportunity to lead and mentor a team of talented emerging artisans tasked with designing, sourcing, and creating props for this summer's productions.

Reporting to the Production Director, the Prop Supervisor will play a vital role in shaping the visual and functional impact of props in our performances, ensuring the seamless execution of all technical and artistic aspects related to prop design, fabrication, and management.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Prop Execution:

• Manage the construction, sourcing, and operation of props during load-ins, rehearsals, technical rehearsals, and performances.
• Source rehearsal props or stand-ins, ensuring all items are in good condition and available for use by actors during rehearsals.
• Address and resolve any issues related to props as they arise, performing maintenance as needed to ensure functionality and safety.
• Develop efficient plans for the load-in, strike, and storage of props, ensuring timely and organized processes.
• Collaborate with the Scenery Supervisor to ensure all prop elements comply with applicable safety standards and protocols.
• Assist with the load-in and load-out of campus spaces, including offices and workspaces, tracking equipment inventory, and organizing off-season storage.

Team Leadership:

• Lead the hiring process for all Prop staff, and collaborate with other production department heads to offer input and serve as a second opinion for hiring decisions in other departments.
• Supervise and manage the prop team, fostering a collaborative and efficient working environment through clear guidance and ongoing support.
• Work closely with other production departments to ensure the seamless integration of scenic elements into the overall production designs.
• Provide training and mentorship to prop team members by reviewing and refining their work, offering guidance on best practices, and sharing professional expertise to promote continuous learning and skill development.

Management:

• Collaborate with all departments to establish work schedules for the prop team, ensuring sufficient coverage during load-ins, technical rehearsals, and performances.
• Monitor the prop budget, oversee material purchases, coordinate equipment maintenance, and handle the rental processes to ensure cost-effective and efficient production support.
• Ensure all facilities used by the prop department adhere to safe working practices and comply with festival safety protocols and align with facility protocols set forth by Williams College.
• Embrace the Festival’s commitment to EDIA and Anti-Racism by actively participating in and encouraging behaviors among staff members that exemplify respect; interrupting microaggressions and other behaviors that hinder our EDIA and Anti-Racism efforts; engaging in the diversification of the workforce; demonstrating a degree of cultural competency that encourages healthy relationships with all company members
• Participate in season debrief meetings and document key takeaways to improve the position and prop department operations for the following year.
• Regularly supervise the work of two or more employees, providing input and recommendations on their advancement, promotion, or other status changes, with such input carrying significant weight.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The Williamstown Theatre Festival requires no specific number of years of experience or minimum educational credentials are required.
• Proven experience in a management role within professional theater, with a successful track record of handling a variety of productions simultaneously, while maintaining attention to detail and a commitment to artistic quality.
• Proficiency in reading technical draftings is preferred, with expertise in Vectorworks or AutoCAD.
• Proven understanding of professional artisan techniques, with demonstrated expertise in sourcing, managing, and maintaining props for a range of theatrical productions.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and management skills, with the ability to lead diverse teams using a supportive and collaborative approach.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic production environment and adapt to changing priorities and timelines.
• Must be capable of working long hours while standing.
• An essential function of this job is in-person work in Williamstown, MA.

About Williamstown Theatre Festival

After seven decades of helping to shape the American theater, Williamstown Theatre Festival is bringing emerging and professional artists together in the Berkshires to create a thrilling summer festival that expands the expression of theater and its essential role in society. The Festival will continue to produce the world premiere plays and musicals and bold new revivals that it’s come to be known for, while expanding into other forms of theatrical expression that brings many art forms together in exciting and innovative ways.

Williamstown Theatre Festival has always been, and continues to be, a creative hothouse for established and emerging artists and their work. More than 75 productions have transferred from the Festival to other regional theaters, Off-Broadway, and Broadway, with many productions being adapted for television and film. Thousands of actors, writers, designers, directors, and aspiring theater professionals from all fields that have come through the Festival to challenge themselves and their craft have gone on to prominence and recognition on Broadway, in Hollywood and beyond. Learn more at wtfestival.org.

Working and Living in Williamstown

Williamstown Theatre Festival’s season takes place on the beautiful campus of Williams College in Williamstown, MA with backdrops of the Berkshire, Green, and Taconic mountain ranges. Williamstown, MA (estimated pop. 7,813) is located in Berkshire County (estimated pop. 128,657) in Western Massachusetts and is an hour’s drive from Albany, NY and 30 minutes from Pittsfield, MA. 

The Williams College campus and the 62’ Center for Theatre and Dance are within walking distance of Spring Street, which has several restaurants with dine-in and takeout options, a coffee shop, an ice cream shop, an independent movie theater, and several stores. The nearest grocery store is a 10-minute drive from campus and not within walking distance. Having a personal vehicle does provide more flexibility in grocery-shopping and expands dining and activities options. For those who bring vehicles, parking is free at designated locations on Williams campus with a parking pass.  For a list of all the things to do and see in Williamstown and the Northern Berkshires, visit DestinationWilliamstown.org.  

All seasonal staff are provided housing free of charge on campus at Williams College. Housing is dorm-style with private bedrooms and shared common areas, including bathroom and kitchen. Williams College housing is not air-conditioned. Weather ranges from evenings on the cooler side but can also be quite warm with temperatures in the 90s with high humidity.

We acknowledge that Williamstown Theatre Festival is a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) located in a county that is 91% white, according to the US Census Bureau. We are actively engaged in the work of becoming a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, accessible, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive institution that not only welcomes BIPOC artists and staff but nurtures an environment that allows everyone to thrive. More specific actions on these efforts can be found in our Progress Report on our website: https://wtfestival.org/work-learn/.

Williamstown Theatre Festival is committed to telling diverse stories and to fostering an inclusive environment both onstage and off. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We believe that opportunity, access, resources, and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Therefore, WTF is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants shall be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, sex/gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), disability, military status, veteran status, marital status, familial status, ancestry, genetics, or any other class or characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Candidates from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary : $1,250 - $1,500