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Part-Time Theater Assistant



Job Description:

Theater Assistants work under the supervision of the technical director and supervise students and student employees in the Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies scene shop and theater spaces. Theater assistants prepare the physical space for Theater and Dance productions. Assistants are project-based team members responsible for the assembly, modification, maintenance, and disassembly/disposal of scenic, prop and lighting elements. We work with a large variety of materials – wood, foams, plastics, plaster, metals etc.

The department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies is committed to the development of an inclusive environment and we strive to advance diverse perspectives and approaches in carrying out the mission of Washington and Lee University.

Essential Functions:
  • Responsible for the execution of scenery, props, lighting and sound for Theater and Dance productions.

  • Install scenery on stage and complete scenic notes during the load-in, tech and preview process.

  • Assemble seating decks from stock and custom-made platforms.

  • Construct scenic elements out of wood, metal, and other materials.

  • Move scenery around the scene shop and theatre and load and unload trucks with scenery and other materials as needed.

  • Maintain a clean, safe, and efficient work environment by putting away tools and equipment after use, keeping materials and equipment organized, sweeping up dust and debris and other related tasks.

  • Assist with the installation of rigging systems at the theatre including but limited to hanging soft goods, placing chain motors and assembling truss.

  • Maintain and promote a safe work environment by following all safety regulations and alerting a supervisor of safety issues.

Minimum Qualifications : A high school diploma or equivalent GED preferred. Experience in a shop environment is helpful. Any experience working with wood, foams, plastics, plaster, metals is desired and carpentry experience is preferred. Experience in minor electrics, mechanics, paint and/or rigging is helpful. Metalworking experience is a plus. Must be able to follow verbal and written directions and provide responses in writing. The successful candidate must interact responsibly and respectfully with students in the theater environment. This position requires the possession and maintenance of a valid Virginia vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record.

Work Schedule: Variable and flexible. This position will work part-time for 10-months annually from August 1-May 31. Approximately 16 hour per week spread over two days. The scene shop is generally open Tuesday through Friday. In this position, employees are limited to 29 hours of work in any given week and no more than 999 in an anniversary year.

Minimum Pay: $20 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

Application Instructions: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references. Resume required. Upload these documents to the Resume/CV upload section of the application.

External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located on the jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Physical Requirements :
  • Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.

  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

  • Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

  • Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

  • Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.

  • Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

  • Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.

  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

  • Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

  • Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

  • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

  • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

  • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.

Working Conditions:
  • The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.

  • The worker is subject to vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body.

  • The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.

  • The worker is subject to oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids.

Types of Work : Medium work: Exerting up to 75 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Position Type:

Non-Exempt, Part Time, Non-Benefit Eligible

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19, including a minimum of one booster. New employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.

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