Props Assistant

Description

POSITION:   Props Assistant (hiring 3)   

CLASSIFICATION:  Seasonal - Full Time

STATUS:   Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO:   Prop Supervisor

SUPERVISES:  Production

LOCATION:   Williamstown, MA

COMPENSATION: $22-24 Per Hour

HIRING TIMELINE: Applications to be accepted until filled with a priority application deadline of 2/14/2025. Application review and interviews to be conducted starting 2/17/2025 with an anticipated start date of 06/21/25.

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Williamstown Theatre Festival, renowned for its commitment to artistic excellence, is seeking skilled and passionate Props Assistants to join our team for the 2025 Season. Reporting to the Props Supervisor, this role is crucial in supporting the seamless execution of all technical and artistic elements related to prop fabrication, maintenance, and performance support across multiple productions.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Support the Props Supervisor in the research and sourcing of props locally and through vendors, ensuring they meet the artistic vision, period accuracy, and production requirements.
• Assist in managing the props budget by making cost-effective decisions without compromising quality or design integrity.
• Construct and assemble props as needed, following creative direction from the Props Supervisor.
• Support the operation and organization of the prop shop and stock under the guidance of the Props Supervisor.
• Monitor and maintain props during rehearsals and performances, performing necessary repairs to ensure their functionality and appearance.
• Collaborate with the Props Supervisor, Scenery Supervisor, and creative team to align completed props with the overall artistic vision.
• Contribute to creative problem-solving and troubleshooting challenges related to prop creation, maintenance, and implementation.
• Support backstage crews during technical rehearsals and performances, coordinating prop tracking, change overs, and ensuring smooth execution of all stage operations as assigned.
• Work closely with other departments, such as sound, scenic, and costumes, to ensure an integrated and cohesive process.
• Assist with the load-in and load-out of campus spaces, including offices and workspaces, while tracking equipment inventory and organizing off-season storage as assigned.
• Adhere to safe working practices that 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 end-of-season debrief meetings and document insights to improve the position's processes and enhance the production management department's effectiveness for the following season.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• The Williamstown Theatre Festival requires no specific number of years of experience or minimum educational credentials.
• Successful track record of handling a variety of productions, while maintaining attention to detail and a commitment to artistic quality.
• Proficiency in reading technical draftings is preferred, with expertise in Vectorworks or AutoCAD.
• Understanding of professional artisan techniques, with demonstrated expertise in sourcing, managing, and maintaining props for a range of theatrical productions.
• Proven interpersonal, and management skills, with the ability to work with diverse teams with 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.
• This job requires 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 : $22 - $24