Production: Jaja's African Hair Braiding
Department: Scenery
Reports to: Technical Director
Status: Temporary, Full Time, IATSE Hourly, Non-Exempt
Pay: Department Head Rate, IATSE Local 122 – currently $31.65 per hour
Location: La Jolla, CA on the beautiful campus of the University of California, San Diego
Schedule: Regular weekday work, occasional overtime, weekend work and/or holiday work.
May 7-9: Crew Meetings and Theatre Prep, May 13: Start of Tech, May 22: Opening, June 15: Closing
Works With: LJP Staff, Visiting Artists & Designers,
Supervises: IATSE Deck Crew, IATSE Apprentices & Pre-Apprentices
About The Position
Under the direction of the Technical Director and the Lead Carpenter, the Production Carpenter serves as a key member of La Jolla Playhouse’s Production Department. The position is expected to function independently in a fast-paced and detail-critical environment, acting as an essential piece of backstage operations. The Production Carpenter must work closely with stage management, performers, and other departments backstage to ensure the safe and successful presentation of all performances to which they are assigned. Key to this success is a focus on active communication, organization, and an ability to remain calm under pressure. The strongest candidate is a technician and artist, committed to the artistic vision and mission of La Jolla Playhouse.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
Department: Scenery
Reports to: Technical Director
Status: Temporary, Full Time, IATSE Hourly, Non-Exempt
Pay: Department Head Rate, IATSE Local 122 – currently $31.65 per hour
Location: La Jolla, CA on the beautiful campus of the University of California, San Diego
Schedule: Regular weekday work, occasional overtime, weekend work and/or holiday work.
May 7-9: Crew Meetings and Theatre Prep, May 13: Start of Tech, May 22: Opening, June 15: Closing
Works With: LJP Staff, Visiting Artists & Designers,
Supervises: IATSE Deck Crew, IATSE Apprentices & Pre-Apprentices
About The Position
Under the direction of the Technical Director and the Lead Carpenter, the Production Carpenter serves as a key member of La Jolla Playhouse’s Production Department. The position is expected to function independently in a fast-paced and detail-critical environment, acting as an essential piece of backstage operations. The Production Carpenter must work closely with stage management, performers, and other departments backstage to ensure the safe and successful presentation of all performances to which they are assigned. Key to this success is a focus on active communication, organization, and an ability to remain calm under pressure. The strongest candidate is a technician and artist, committed to the artistic vision and mission of La Jolla Playhouse.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
- In conference with the Technical Direction Staff, execute and maintain the technical requirements of the production in a safe and efficient manner.
- Collaborate with the Stage Management team and other Department Heads to ensure safe and effective use of backstage resources.
- Lead the production deck crew in the safe and successful tech, preview, and performance of all shows to which they are assigned.
- As the production requires, fabricate, install, organize, transport, repair and maintain all scenery elements.
- As Department Head for the backstage crew the Production Carpenter is responsible for all Technical Rehearsals, PutIn Rehearsals, Understudy Rehearsals, Performances, to which they are assigned.
- Maintain stage facilities and related equipment to ensure a safe and clean environment, including rigging and stage mechanics.
- Responsible for securing the backstage areas during an emergency as well as contacting the necessary personnel including stage management and front of house staff during such emergencies.
- Responsible for securing the facility and the backstage areas after technical rehearsals and performances.
- Responsible for the communication of running notes during the technical rehearsal process between Stage Crew and staff.
- Inform, assist in the creation of, and maintain paperwork essential to the operation of the production including crew tracks, run notes, automation and fly cueing, and swing assignments.
- Manage a crew of 1 to 12 people.
- Attend production meetings, run throughs, tech rehearsal, previews, and note sessions as requested by the Technical Direction Staff or Production Management.
- Assist in risk assessments and reviews with Technical Direction Staff and Production Management to achieve workable and safe production at all levels.
- Function in a professional and collegial manner when collaborating with all theatre personnel, professional creative teams, staff, management and other visiting artists.
- Enhance and support the institutional mission of La Jolla Playhouse.
- Other scenic duties as assigned.
- 2 plus years of professional experience in theatrical installation, scenic methods, and crew management.
- Demonstrated success in leadership, goal setting, and personnel management.
- Possess strong verbal communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, problem solving, and organizational skills, including when working with competing priorities and time constraints.
- Demonstrated skills and knowledge of scenic carpentry, welding, rigging, complex automation solutions, and soft goods/fabric maintenance and repair.
- Working knowledge and experience with specialized tools used in advanced theatrical production operations.
- Knowledge of and dedication to safe work practices; ETCP Certification and OSHA 10 a plus.
- Possess strong critical thinking, attention to detail, problem solving, and organizational skills.
- Ability to read and execute scenic design and construction drawings.
- Commitment to uphold and meaningfully engage with the mission and values of La Jolla Playhouse.
- Access to reliable transportation.
- Frequently ascends/descends and moves about on ladders, lifts, catwalks, and grids.
- Ability to work extended hours including nights and weekends during load in.
- Frequently moves items weighing up to 50lbs and maneuvers heavy items with assistance.
- Environment varies from dark/quiet backstage to bright/loud on stage.