Scenic Carpenter Jobs

Postion: Scenic Carpenter

Classification:Seasonal full-time, non-exempt; benefits eligible after 90 days

Department:Scene Shop

Reports to:Technical Directors

Work schedule:Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week; some weekends and overtime during load in periods.

Salary:$27.58 per hour

Position summary

The Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre seeks a scenic carpenter to serve as a key member of the Berkeley Rep scene shop. The scenic carpenter works on scenic construction projects which include fabrication with materials such as lumber, metal, plastics, fabric, and foam. The scenic carpenter must work closely and collegially with other departments as well as visiting designers and artistic staff.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Actively participate in workshops and trainings as requested, including harassment prevention, bystander intervention, and other antiracism, equity, diversity, inclusion, and access initiatives.
• Under the direction of the head carpenter, research and develop special projects such as stage automation and rigging.
• Instill and nurture an inclusive, safe, efficient, and effective working environment in scene shop. The scenic carpenters serve as mentors for over hire carpenters and the scene shop fellow.
• Participate in all load-in and load-out activities at Berkeley Rep’s theater spaces; the Roda Theater – a proscenium counterweight fly house and the Peet’s Theater, a ¾ thrust stage with fixed grid, as well as any non-traditional performance spaces.
• Attend production meetings, technical rehearsals, and notes sessions, when requested by the technical direction team.
• Oversee small groups of over-hire technicians on special projects, when assigned.
• Work closely and collaboratively with other departments such as the prop shop, paints shop, stage management, and facilities to ensure a collaborative environment between the shops.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Participate in, and uphold, all shop safety processes, policies and practices in all areas of the scene shop.Analyze and mitigate risks by conducting risk assessments for projects in the scene shop and in load in/ out, to achieve a workable and safe production.
• Report any repairs and maintenance needs on any shop tools, equipment, or low inventory stock, to the scene shop supervisor.
• Interpret technical CAD drafts from the technical director’s office and, following the drafts, fabricate and construct accurate scenic elements for projects as assigned by the head carpenter. Requires both wood working skills and metal working artisan skills creating scenery items such as flats, platforms, doors, molding, stairs, and other elements.

Qualifications and skills

• Ability to problem solve and help create solutions for scenic construction, automation, and rigging projects.
• Ability to calculate compound cuts.
• Familiarity with CNC machines and fabrication techniques including drilling, cutting, carving, and milling.
• Knowledge of basic theatrical stagecraft including rigging, running the rail in a fly house, and handling soft goods.
• Ability to wear PPE for multiple hours a day and move objects up to 40 pounds.
• Experience using and operating metal working tools including prepping metal, cutting, bending, drilling, and MIG welding.
• Ability to read and interpret theatrical drafts and create accurate material cut lists from drafts.
• Experience using and operating wood working tools including building and setting up jigs.
• Ability to drive larger box trucks and forklifts.
• Ability to work both collaboratively as a team and individually on solo projects.

Application procedure

Berkeley Rep is an equal opportunity employer and offers a diverse, congenial, casual environment conducive to professional growth. Berkeley Rep offers a full range of employee benefits including 85% employer-paid health and dental insurance, optional vision, FSA, and 403(b) plans, professional development support, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

Position available immediately. Email submissions only. Please submit a cover letter, résumé, and three professional references [email protected] “scenic carpenter” in the subject line. Persons from diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.

Berkeley Rep will contact candidates of interest. Please, no calls or faxes. Only complete submissions will be considered.