2023 Job Opportunities
Santa Cruz Shakespeare is a professional repertory company staging the plays of Shakespeare and other great playwrights in our outdoor festival Grove in Santa Cruz, CA. We are now hiring production staff for the 2023 season!
NOTE: to comply with AEA regulations all crew members must be fully vaccinated.
See below for current job descriptions.
Actor Auditions
For information on auditions please check out our Auditions page.
Front of House
DESCRIPTION:
Under the direction of the Director of Operations, the front of house staff will supervise all front-of-house operations in The Grove at DeLaveaga. Overall duties will include ticket scanning, overseeing ushers, lobby set up and take-down, and program distribution for events and performances. The position starts in mid-July and goes until the end of August. Work times are during evenings and weekends following the performance calendar.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Must maintain a professional demeanor and image to assure the highest level of customer service.
- Must be able to be diplomatic and take into consideration diverse populations who visit The Grove as well as limitations of those that volunteer.
- Must be able to manage several responsibilities at once.
- Will be required to work non-traditional hours including nights and weekends as assigned.
- Oversee ushers, patron safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance.
- Coordinate activities (timing, intermissions) with Stage Manager.
- Oversee ticket collection and accounting.
- Respond effectively during emergencies following approved protocol including evacuations and knowing whom to call, which paperwork to be filled out and processed.
- Compiling information about performance for nightly House Manager's report.
- Working with Operations Manager in recruiting new volunteers and participating in orientations.
PARKING SPECIFICS:
- Receive cash and or pre-paid tickets from patrons
- Direct car traffic to designated locations on site
- Working with Parking Manager (volunteer) in training volunteer parking attendants
WINE BAR SPECIFICS:
- Receive cash/cards for beverages
- Assist Director of Operations at The Grove in ordering and inventory tracking of items and supplies
- Must have appropriate certifications for the pouring of alcoholic beverages.
Additional Duties and Responsibilities:
- Reliable accounting.
- May have to lift heavy program boxes and tables.
- May have to "refresh" bathroom as custodial is not always present for performances.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior customer service experience
- Have flexibility for work weekly hours depending on show performances. Performance hours will include evenings and weekends through at least 11pm.
- Must be able to work well independently and being able to perform in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and documentation skills required.
- Candidate must be able to successfully handle multiple priorities in sometimes high stress situations and ability to work with the public and possess conflict resolution skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and other cloud software applications as required.
COMPENSATION:
The starting pay for this position will be $15.00/hour plus overtime, when applicable. Hours to be determined, based on the summer performance schedule.
COVID PROTOCOLS:
Santa Cruz Shakespeare (SCS) employees must be fully vaccinated prior to working on-site. Additionally, prospective employees must agree to adhere to the SCS Covid Safety plan.
Contact: foh@santacruzshakespeare.org
Box Office Staff
DESCRIPTION:
Under the direction of the Operations Manager and Box Office Manager, box office staff will supervise all ticketing related needs in The Grove at DeLaveaga. Overall duties will include answering phone and email inquiries, selling tickets to performances at The Grove, and troubleshooting ticketing issues. The position starts in mid-July and goes until the end of August. Work times are during the daytime, evenings, and weekends on a rotating basis.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Must maintain a professional demeanor and image to assure the highest level of customer
- Must be able to be diplomatic and take into consideration diverse populations who visit The Grove
- Must be able to manage several responsibilities at once.
- Will be required to work non-traditional hours including nights and weekends as assigned.
- Answer phones, emails, and in person inquiries about the 2023 season, ticket purchasing, and theater policies.
- With training: process ticket transactions using the CRM Spektrix.
- With training: pull reports, and print will call from Spektrix.
- Respond effectively during emergencies following approved protocol including evacuations and knowing whom to call, which paperwork to be filled out and processed.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior customer service experience.
- Have flexibility for working weekly hours depending on show performances. Performance hours will include evenings and weekends through at least 11pm.
- Must be able to work independently and be able to perform in a fast-paced, dynamic work
- Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to answer patron inquires over phone, email, and in person.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Suite.
COMPENSATION
The starting pay for this position will be $15.00/hour plus overtime. When applicable. Hours to be determined, based on the summer performance schedule.
COVID PROTOCOLS
Santa Cruz Shakespeare (SCS) employees must be fully vaccinated prior to working on-site. Additionally, prospective employees must agree to adhere to the SCS Covid Safety plan.
Contact: foh@santacruzshakespeare.org
Season Company Manager
DESCRIPTION
The Company Manager provides a broad range of operation support to the organization. This position is the primary liaison between the summer company members and SCS administration and the primary support and advocate for summer company members during their time in Santa Cruz. Flexibility and a commitment to enhance the ability of company members to work productively and to ensure the smooth functioning of our company is key. The ability to work independently with minimal supervision is essential.
Reports to: Artistic Directors
TIMELINE
Work runs May through mid September. Company Manager would be available to work full time for the entire summer season. Requires significant evening and weekend work on a flexible and variable schedule.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
- Coordinate company travel and local transportation: book air travel, arrange rental cars as needed, provide transport to and from airports, rehearsals, and the theatre
- Plan and produce company events including first rehearsal meet and greets, tech dinners, opening night and closing parties
- Secure donations of food and wine for events to meet budget
- Identify and manage volunteers to assist with duties
- Compile and maintain employee personnel files and online payroll records
- Provide regular package and mail delivery to rehearsal and performance space
- Process reimbursement requests for covered expenses
- Assemble hospitality items for company members and thank you gifts for housing donors
- Serve as first respondent for Company Management needs and emergencies, including nights and weekends. Perform wide ranging of problem solving under fast paced and changing conditions
- Supervise final move out of artists from guest housing including inspection and cleaning as needed, return shipping of company packages, and other duties related to moving out the company
- Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Candidate must be able to successfully handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and possess problem solving and conflict resolution skills
- Prior customer service experience helpful; ability to juggle a variety of requests and needs
- Must have valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with insurance, and ability to lift and transport up to 50 pounds
- Have flexibility for night and weekend hours and respond to on-call emergency needs
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Docs including Word, Excel, and other cloud software applications as require.
- Prior theatre experience and knowledge of Santa Cruz area preferred but not required; interest in live theatre desirable
Contact sue@santacruzshakespeare.org
Technical Director:
The Technical Director is responsible for safely and effectively producing all the scenery for the SCS season, while also overseeing the different technical departments, including lighting, costumes, props, sound, and effects. The TD’s duties include budgeting for all scenery, producing technical drawings as needed, purchasing all materials for the scenery, attending production meetings and other meetings as needed, scheduling the build and the painting of the scenery, supervising and, ultimately are responsible for, the building of the scenery, installing of the scenery, organizing the operation of the scenery during load in and technical rehearsals. The TD is also responsible for, in conjunction with the master carpenter, the supervising, scheduling and assigning of tasks for the carpentry build/run crew.
Candidates must also be able to lift 50 pounds, work safely on a ladder, and be able to work outside.
The position is full-time from June 6, 2023 to July 30, 2023, with 40-50 hours of part-time prep work in April 2023. The schedule is primarily Tuesday through Saturday. Further season work is possible. It is a contract position and the rate is $30 per hour. Please email cover letter, resume, and references to: hiring@santacruzshakespeare.org
Stage Carpenters:
The Stage Carpenter is responsible for building and painting sets/props and making facility improvements as directed by the Technical Director.
The ideal candidate has relevant knowledge and experience, a can-do attitude, the ability to work cooperatively with other members of the company, a commitment to safety and professionalism.
Candidates must also be able to lift 50 pounds, work safely on a ladder, and be able to work outside.
The position is full time from June 6, 2023 to July 2, 2023. The schedule is primarily Tuesday through Saturday. Further season work is possible. We will need one Deck Chief which would extend the contract through September 2. It is a contract position. The rate is $23 an hour. Please email cover letter, resume, and references to: hiring@santacruzshakespeare.org
Stage Electricians:
Under supervision of the Master Electrician, the Electrician is responsible for loading in and setting up the lighting system. Electricians may also be required to perform equipment repair and maintenance as required; SCS is in an outdoor venue and the elements take their toll. Electricians must be fully knowledgeable about lighting systems, power load balancing, and rigging safety and able to climb lighting poles.
The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge and experience in the field, a can-do attitude, the ability to work cooperatively with other members of the company, a commitment to safety and professionalism.
Candidates must also be able to lift 50 pounds, work safely on a ladder, and be able to work outside.
The position is full time from June 13, 2023 to June 30, 2023. The schedule is primarily Tuesday through Saturday. Further season work is possible. It is a contract position. The rate is $18-20 an hour, depending on experience. Please email cover letter, resume, and references to: hiring@santacruzshakespeare.org
Costume Shop Staff
Costume Shop Duties include: sewing (by machine and by hand) cutting, draping, alterations, repairs, ironing, fittings, costume crafts, and other assignments based upon skill set and shop needs. These positions report to the Costume Shop Manager.
Positions include Senior Staff, First Hand, Stitcher, and Designer Assistants.
The ideal candidate has relevant knowledge and experience, a can-do attitude, the ability to work cooperatively with other members of the company, a commitment to safety and professionalism.
All positions will start work on June 6, 2022. End dates vary. The schedule is primarily Tuesday through Saturday. It is a contract position and the rate range is $15.50-$25, depending on position and experience. Please email cover letter, resume, and references to: hiring@santacruzshakespeare.org
Sound Engineer (A1)
The Sound Engineer (A1) is responsible for preparing soundboards, speakers, microphones, and other equipment for shows as well as maintaining the quality of sound throughout each performance. This position is also responsible for managing the sound department, addressing all tech notes, and working all performances.
The ideal candidate has knowledge of different types of sound equipment, audio mixing experience, a can-do attitude, the ability to work cooperatively with other members of the company, a commitment to safety and professionalism.
Candidates must also be able to lift 50 pounds, work safely on a ladder, and be able to work outside.
The position is full time from June 30, 2023 to August 27, 2023 with a possible week extension for strike. It is a contract position. The rate is $23 an hour. Please email cover letter, resume, and references to: hiring@santacruzshakespeare.org
Sound Engineer (A2)
The Sound Engineer (A2) is responsible for preparing soundboards, speakers, microphones, and other equipment for shows as well as maintaining the quality of sound throughout each performance.
The ideal candidate has relevant knowledge and experience, a can-do attitude, the ability to work cooperatively with other members of the company, a commitment to safety and professionalism.
Candidates must also be able to lift 50 pounds, work safely on a ladder, and be able to work outside.
The position is full time from June 30, 2023 to August 27, 2023 with a possible week extension for strike. It is a contract position. The rate is $18-20 an hour, depending on experience. Please email cover letter, resume, and references to: hiring@santacruzshakespeare.org
