PRODUCTION ASSISTANT POSITIONS (Crew and Stage Management)
Totem Pole Playhouse

Interested Applicants may reply to employment@totempoleplayhouse.org.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • Totem Pole Playhouse, Pennsylvania’s premier professional summer theatre, located in the spectacular 1,200-acre Caledonia State Park between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, PA, is seeking a seasonal Scenic Shop Staff for this legendary summer theatre’s 74th award-winning 5-show season.
  • The Totem Pole Playhouse 2024 season schedule runs May 31st through August 31st. Additionally, there is a potential holiday entertainment offering in December presented at an off-site venue. Engagement calendar may have flexibility in regards to start and end dates, but applicants should ideally be available for the entire season.
  • Totem Pole Playhouse produces productions through an agreement with Actor’s Equity Association, as well as a summer concert series. Totem Pole has an excellent reputation within the industry; the New York Times once named it, “the Cadillac of summer theaters.”

If required, most staff positions are provided housing in private bedrooms within shared staff houses as well as a weekly salary. 2024 Summer Series Shows include: Pump Boys and Dinettes, Clue (Onstage), Tuesday with Morrie, Jersey Boys and a weeklong Summer Concert Series. Most shows receive a week of load-in and a week of proper tech, making the schedule unique and less hectic than traditional summer theatre. When open, Totem Pole runs a fully operational and staffed private scenic and costume shop.

SPAN OF AGREEMENT DATES: May 6th 2024 through September 2nd 2024

Positions available:

Stage Management Production Assistants (two positions available)   

This is a position that requires attendance at all public performances and rehearsals as needed; supporting Stage Management Department on musicals, non-musical plays, and a series of rotating concerts. This position will keep studio hours to help prep the show in rehearsal as well as serve as part of the running crew of the operating production. This position requires strong communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.  This job’s primary function is basic Assistant or Assistant to the Stage Manager job functions and will work alongside an AEA Stage Manager or Team.  This position will report to the Production Manager and Production Stage Manager (task dependent)

Duties include:

  • Basic ASM daily tasks, preparing rehearsal hall or stage for work, callboard maintenance, contributing into reports and scheduling.
  • Supporting the Production Stage Manager in communicating the show needs to the greater creative team
  • Supervise the Deck during performances
  • Build all appropriate deck run sheets and create a work flow for quick changes, scene shifts and props tracking
  • Supporting Production Stage Manager on all show related processes and show documentation.
  • Be a communication hub for run crew, wardrobe crew, cast, musicians and deck Audio crew for real time trouble shoot and information flow.
  • Moving, prepping, tracking scenery and props during the run of the show
  • Other duties traditionally assigned to this job title in live Theatrical Production.  

Working well with other tech crew members on various projects as directed by Producer, the candidate will also need to be capable of working on tall ladders, lifting at least 30 lbs., and working long hard hours.

Weekly Salary Range $400-425 DOE

 

Deck Crew Production Assistants (two positions available)   

This is a position that requires attendance at all public performances and rehearsals as needed; supporting Stage Management Department/Production Department on musicals, non-musical plays, and a series of rotating concerts. This position will keep studio or shop hours to help prep the show in rehearsal as well as serve as part of the running crew of the operating production. This position requires strong communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.  This job’s primary function is running crew in positions as needed and supporting the various production shops as capacity allows.  Departments that support could be required in are: Scenic, Props, Stage Management, Wardrobe, Audio and Electrics.  People with an active interest and minimal experience in all departments are encouraged to apply.  This position reports to the Production Manager and Production Stage Manager (task dependent)

Duties include:

  • Daily preset checks to ensure the show is properly prepared and the workspace is safe and sanitary to operate a performance in
  • Maintenance notes for repairs and replacements of props and scenic elements
  • Consistent performance on running a show track with focus and excellence
  • Assisting in shops with builds, load-ins and production transportation as needed
  • Helping “build the deck tracks” during tech by collaborating with stage management as needed.
  • Contributing to the ensuring a safe and focused backstage environment 
  • Assisting with strike as required.

Working well with other tech crew members on various projects as directed by Producer, the candidate will also need to be capable of working on tall ladders, lifting at least 50 lbs., and working long hard hours.

Weekly Salary Range $400

.*Totem Pole Playhouse is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.