Virginia Shakespeare Festival

Job Opportunities

We'll be hiring for a number of positions for the 2008 performance season. Please see the descriptions below for details.

 

Note that most positions require a resume and two letters of reference by February 28. Auditions for acting positions will be held in January and February in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Williamsburg (please consult the auditions schedule.

The Festival always needs "front of house" volunteers to serve as ushers, assist with box office and concession sales, and help with promotional tasks. Please contact our House Manager at 757-221-2683 in early June.

 

Acting Positions (see auditions)

We normally hire an acting company of around 20-25, which includes 2-5 Equity Guest Artist contracts, 10 non-Equity Resident company members (weekly scale comparable to other festivals, free private bedroom housing included), and 6 acting interns (paid, class work in voice and text, free campus housing).

 

Administrative Positions (see auditions)

Technical Positions

 

Position Descriptions

Assistant to the Artistic Director/Company Management 5/27 - 8/5 (10 weeks) $1,800 plus campus housing (shared bedroom). Primary responsibility for housing and travel concerns of company of 40. Promotional duties as assigned, including assisting promotions manager. Submit current resume and two letters of reference by Feb. 28 to Christopher Owens, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.

Box Office Assistants (2) 5/27 - 8/3 (10 weeks) $1,800 plus campus housing (shared bedroom). Assist General Management with purchasing, records, and office tasks, man box office for part day shifts and during each performance. Assist with promotional initiatives as directed. Exhibit excellent human and public relations skills, some training for which may be provided. Six-day week. Submit current resume and two letters of reference by Feb. 28 to Amy Brabrand, Box Office & Promotions Manager, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.

Production Stage Manager 5/27 - 8/3 (10 Weeks) $3,000 plus private bedroom housing. SM productions of Taming of the Shrew, Othello, Complete History of America Abridged in stock (overlaped rehearsals), supervising two ASM's.  Though an Equity Guest Artist company (Tier II, two contracts per show) this is not an Equity SM position.  Experience with larger casts a must, prefer experience with Shakespeare as well.  Submit current resume and two letters of reference by Feb. 28 to Christopher Owens, AD, Virignia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187.

Costume Stitchers 5/27 - 7/24 $2,200 for season (plus campus housing provided with private bedroom) to assist shop foreman with new construction, shop renovation and assemble of finished wardrobe for productions of Taming of the Shrew, Othello & Complete History of America (abridged) produced in stock. Requires skill and experience with period costuming, proficiency with standard and industrial sewing equipment and ability to assist interns and volunteers. Six-day week, beautiful Williamsburg location, pleasant facilities. Submit letter of interest, current resume, 2 letters of reference by Feb. 28 to: Mary Jo Damon, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, College of William and Mary, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.

Costume Shop Interns 5/27 - 8/4 Stipend of $1,200 for 10 week season plus shared campus housing. College credit available with payment of tuition. Construction and running of productions of Taming of the Shrew, Othello and Complete History of America (abridged) produced in stock on the campus of The College of William & Mary. Six-day week in pleasant facilities. Requires experience with standard and/or industrial sewing machines, wardrobe, interest in period costuming. Submit letter of interest, resume, and one or two letters of recommendation by Feb. 28 to: Mary Jo Damon, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, College of William and Mary, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.

Scenic Painter 5/27 - 7/24 - $2,000 plus campus housing (private bedroom) Under the supervision of Resident Scenic Designer, paint scenery for Taming of the Shrew, Othello and Complete History of America (abridged). Six day week, two story paint frame in shop, will be painting both two dimensional and three dimensional scenery. Submit current resume and two letters of reference by Feb. 28 to Technical Director, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.

Properties Manager 5/27 - 7/24 - $2,300 plus campus housing (private bedroom). Acquire, build and organize hand properties and furniture for Taming of the Shrew, Othello and Complete History of America (abridged). Design and painting skills essential, proficiency with welding and other construction preferred. Work under supervision of Scenic Designer and Technical Director. Responsible for maintenance of current good stock of furniture and properties. Submit current resume and two letters of reference by Feb. 28 to Technical Director, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.
Sound Designer 6/3 - 8/3 - $2,000 plus campus housing.  Design sound effects and incidental music for Taming of the Shrew, Othello, Complete History of America Abridged. Set up and run for each performance the sound reinforcement system of PBK Hall (700 seat proscenium).  Seeking individual with both creative design experience to work with directors of each show in creating the soundscape and the technical knowledge and sensitivity to monitor live sound for the shows each evening. Submit current resume and one letter of reference by Feb. 28 to Technical Director, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8796

Master Electrician 6/3 - 7/25 - $2,000 for season plus campus housing (private bedroom). Hang, focus and maintain equipment. Program and operate Strand 520 Board, keep schedules and paperwork up to date. Assist Resident Lighting Designer with preparation of designs for Taming of the Shrew, Othello and Complete History of America (abridged). Assist TD & crew with stage rigging and construction prior to electrics load-in. 48 line house, 240 dimmers, 200+ lighting units, six day week. Submit current resume and two letters of reference by Feb.28 to Steven Holliday, Resident Lighting Designer, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795..

 

Master Carpenter 5/27 - 7/25 $2,300 plus campus housing (private bedroom). Assist TD with work schedule, maintain materials inventory, supervise two lead carpenters and student production interns on builds of Taming of the Shrew, Othello and Complete History of America Abridged. Proficiency with wood, plastic and metals technology. 760 seat proscenium, 48 line house, well equipped shop, six-day week. Submit current resume and two letters of reference by Feb. 28 to Technical Director, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.

Lead Carpenters (2) 5/27 - 7/25 $1,800 plus campus housing (private bedroom). Build, load-in, and strike of Taming of the Shrew, Othello and Complete History of America (abridged). Proficiency with wood, plastic and metal technology in well-equipped shop. Work with Resident Scenic Designer, TD, Master Carpenter, Properties Master, and production interns in overall company of 40 (Equity Guest Artist Contract). Submit current resume and two letters of reference by Feb. 28 to Technical Director, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.

Production Interns 5/27 - 8/4. Stipend of $1,200 for season plus shared campus housing provided. College credit available with payment of tuition. Set construction, electrics work, properties, scenic painting, sound, costume shop, assistant stage management all available in intensive season of Taming of the Shrew, Othello and Complete History of America (abridged). Six-day week, pleasant work environment, company of 40 (Equity Guest Artist Contract). Resume should stress nature of experience in area of choice. Submit current resume and at least one letter of reference by Feb. 28 to Technical Director, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, PO Box 8795, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795.