Production Assistant - Theater

This part-time, seasonal, position assists the Technical Director and Production Manager primarily with the theatrical lighting associated with productions in the University’s Hartke Theater complex but may also assist with scenery, construction, and painting. This position also supports any Master Electricians the university may hire. The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art typically produces 3 productions per academic semester (typically one play, one musical, and one opera, each semester, for a total of 6 productions per season). The Catholic University of America's productions are executed in a 590-seat theater and a smaller black box space (approximately 90 seats). Additional support, provided by this position, may include oversight and instruction of student labor assigned to crew work, assisting with scenic construction, painting, and occasional assistance with recitals, concerts, and/or art openings in other venues, on or near campus, when not focussed on lighting and electrical work. Our shop typically works from 1000am to 600pm weekdays although there will be additional times beyond that during a “Tech Week.”

Our contracts run from mid to late August through December and early January through May. Within those parameters, the required hours are 28 hours per week and the rate of pay is $20.00 per hour. Applicants should be familiar with the flexibility required in Theater.

• With the assistance of student labor, the Production Assistant (Theater) will interpret the lighting plots provided by contracted lighting designers to prepare the grid for performances. This includes hanging, rough focus, troubleshooting, and safety, and training student run crews.
• As time permits, the Production Assistant may also assist the Technical Director and/or the Production Manager with other standard aspects of theatrical production.
• The Production Assistant will also maintain a basic lighting rep plot in each of our performance venues and stock lighting equipment.
• In coordination with the entire Production team, the Production Assistant may assist with other rental events.
• Additional duties may include standard business correspondence and communication with design teams and other university departments, attending weekly production staff meetings and design meetings.
• A technical theater background is required and the Production Assistant must be able to lift typical theatrical lighting fixtures as well as be comfortable on ladders and “genie” scissor lifts.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft and/or G-Suite applications for documents, spreadsheets, calendar, and email.
• Administrative experience with managing schedules