Throughout the year, we have openings for various positions to help Story Theater Company accomplish its mission to bring professional theatrical opportunities to the young people of Ames.
We have a rolling schedule of classes, workshops, and camps throughout the year. If you would be interested in hearing about future job opportunities as they open up, please email our Education Director at education@storytheatercompany.org.
STC stages four theatrical productions each year. It you would be interested in hearing about employment opportunities with one of our production teams, please email our Production Mangager at productions@storytheatercompany.org.
CURRENT OPENINGS
Production Staff – contract positions
Production Staff: Anne of Green Gables (performs Feb 16-25, 2024)
Production Staff: The Comedy of Terrible Errors (performs Apr 12-14, 2024)
Production Staff – Anne of Green Gables
This dramatization captures the charm and excitement of L.M. Montgomery’s enduring classic about an orphan girl, Anne Shirley, from her first encounter with her austere guardian to her thrilling graduation from Queen’s Academy. The play faithfully recreates the memorable events and characters from the brilliant novel. All the tragedies and triumphs that mark Anne’s growth from adolescence to early adulthood are here: her friendship with Diana, her feuds with Gilbert, her adoration of Matthew, the mistaken wine bottle, the cake disaster, the broken leg, the scholastic achievements, and the saving of Green Gables. Whether the playgoer is an “old friend” of Anne’s or meeting her for the first time, this play will solidify a lasting friendship between the audience and one of literature’s most unforgettable characters.
We invite you to join the theatrical production team for our production of Anne of Green Gables, involving
approximately 20-30 cast members and 10 crew members, ages 9-18.
Rehearsals will be T/R afternoons and Sat mornings, Dec 9 or 12 – Feb 10. Then every weekday afternoon until Feb 14. Subject to change based on availability. Break between Dec 22 – Jan 2.
Preliminary rehearsal schedule
Questions? Contact STC’s production manager, Sarah Coeur: productions@storytheatercompany.org
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AND RESUME HERE
Important Production Dates:
- 11/18 Sat 10a: Production Meeting (subject to change; weekly, TBD to fit team’s schedules)
- 12/3-12/4 TBD: Auditions (To discuss with directing, but no earlier than)
- 12/5 TBD: Callbacks
- 12/9 Sat 1p: 1st Rehearsal
- TBD Sat TBD: Designer Run
- 2/7 Wed 3p-10p: Load In
- 2/8 Th 3p-6p Tech Time
- 2/9 Fri 3p-6p Tech Time
- 2/10 Sat 9a-4p Tech Crew Training Day
- 2/11 Sun 1p-8p 1st Tech
- 2/12 Mon 4p-9p 1st Dress
- 2/13 Tue 4p-9p 2nd Dress
- 2/14 Wed 4p-9p Final Dress
- 2/22 Th 4:30-6:30p Pick Up Rehearsal
- 2/25 Sun 4p-7:30p Strike
- 3/3 Sun Post Mortem
Performances:
Week One
- 2/16 Fri 7:00p Performance
- 2/17 Sat 7:00p Performance
- 2/18 Sun 2:00p Performance
Week Two
- 2/23 Fri 7:00p Performance
- 2/24 Sat 2:00p Performance
- 2/25 Sun 2:00p Performance
Sound Designer ($500 stipend)
Assist with basic sound needs at Ames City Auditorium (some auditorium staff and training will be available). Maintain microphones and run them during the show. This position will put in the most work during tech week and performances with weekly production meetings. This is a great opportunity if you’re looking to build audio production experience. An ideal candidate will have basic sound board and sound system knowledge. Ability to operate, maintain, and balance microphones. Duties will include:
- Survey performance space for technical production elements/capabilities.
- Work with the director to design sound effects and incidental music for the show.
- Work with the director to determine which actors need microphones and when during the show.
- Create a pre-show/intermission playlist.
- Assist with load-in to the theater.
- Attend production meetings.
- Attend all tech rehearsals: hand out microphones, do mic checks, run the sound board, and adjust as needed.
- Distribute microphones to actors before each performance.
- Perform mic checks prior to performances and maintain good battery life of all microphones.
- Run the sound board.
- Store mics neatly between shows.
- Assist with strike. Take down all audio equipment, return it to STC, and put it away.
Lighting Designer ($500 stipend)
This position will be designing and programming lights using the equipment at Ames City Auditorium. Several of our successful past lighting designers have come from software/computer/electrical engineering and similar majors, as well as from the theater department. Computer savviness and an eye for design (theatrical or otherwise). Previous lighting design experience is a bonus, but not a requirement. We’re happy to teach you the basics. It’ll also help you out a lot if you have the ability to do some research and learning on your own. Duties will include:
- Survey performance space for technical production elements/capabilities.
- Communicate with Craig Kaufman, of City Auditorium, to gather a list of all instruments available.
- Collaborate with Director, Stage Manager, Designers and Production Manager to create a unified artistic plan for the production based on selected script.
- Attend a minimum of two (2) rehearsals of the show and create a lighting plot and distribute copies to the Production Manager, City Auditorium, and designers.
- Create an instrument schedule including gels, gobos or additional materials that will be used and distribute copies to the Production Manager, City Auditorium, and designers.
- Create a detailed budget at least two weeks prior to load in detailing any necessary expenses.
- Arrange any special equipment rentals (spotlights, etc).
- Train student light board operators. Student operators should be scheduled by the Lighting Designer to attend the same rehearsals as the Lighting Designer as well as dry tech/crew training and tech rehearsals.
- Assist with Load-in to the theater. Hang and focus lights.
- Supervise student operators.
- Assist with set strike. Arrange for return of any rented equipment.
Projection Designer ($400 stipend)
This position will be designing and programming projections using the equipment at Ames City Auditorium. Several of our successful past designers have come from software /computer and similar majors, as well as from the theater department. Computer savviness and an eye for design (theatrical or otherwise). Previous projection design experience is a bonus, but not a requirement. We’re happy to teach you the basics. It’ll also help you out a lot if you have the ability to do some research and learning on your own.
- Survey performance space for technical production elements/capabilities.
- Collaborate with Director, Stage Manager, Designers and Production Manager to create a unified artistic plan for the production based on selected script.
- Attend a minimum of two (2) rehearsals of the show.
- Create an instrument schedule including specific projectors and/or additional materials that will be used, and distribute copies to Production Manager and designers.
- Create a detailed budget at least two weeks prior to load-in detailing any necessary expenses.
- Train student projections operator.
- Assist with Load-in to the theater. Hang and focus projectors.
- Run the projections computer or supervise student operators.
- Assist with strike. Arrange for return of any rented equipment.
Scenic Designer ($450 stipend)
This position handles design, decoration, finish painting, etc. Attend weekly production meetings and scheduled build days. All tools provided. An ideal candidate will have creative design and strong visualization skills. Able to take inspiration from the director’s concept and run with it. Dedication to stay involved with the project until completed. Previous theatrical design experience is a bonus, but not a requirement.
- Design scenery with input from the production team which will be both technically and financially feasible based on the current status of the company’s set construction talent pool and budget.
- Collaborate with the Director, Stage Manager and Production Manager to create a unified artistic plan for the production based on selected script.
- Schedule with the set builder, the use of the community truck for load-in day and strike day.
- With the Set Builder, deliver materials list, ground plans and scene storage plans to Ames City Auditorium according to production schedule guidelines.
- Assist with other aspects of production as necessary.
- Supervise and assist with load-in to the theater.
- Assist with backstage activities and scene changes.
- Assist set strike; arrange for the disposal, return and/or storage of set pieces and props.
Scenic Builder ($500 stipend)
This position handles more construction than design. Attend weekly production meetings and choose build days that work for you. The most work time will be during the last month of the production process. Several mid-skilled parent volunteers will assist with building. All tools provided, plus a fun work environment. An ideal candidate will have basic construction knowledge, mostly wood-focused. Able to create and build from plans. Good teamwork and communication skills. Experience in theatrical set building is a plus, but if you have the building skills and you want to try this as a new opportunity, we’re happy to teach you the theater part
Production Staff – The Comedy of Terrible Errors
The student director of Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” is living a nightmare: one lead actor doesn’t know his lines, another lead actor is having an ill-advised showmance, they’re not allowed to touch the set, and the actors with small roles are about to mutiny for more stage time. It all comes crashing down in this hilarious adaptation of Shakespeare’s 28th-most loved play.
We invite you to join the production team for The Comedy of Terrible Errors. It will be performed in Nevada, Iowa at the Camelot Theater. Approximately 10-15 cast members ages 13-18. Rehearsals will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Wednesdays are reserved for production meetings and shop time for the teen designers and their crews. Jan 7th-April 4th. Then tech week and performances the following week.
Preliminary rehearsal schedule
Questions? Contact STC’s production manager, Sarah Coeur: productions@storytheatercompany.org
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION AND RESUME HERE
Two Mentor Positions ($600 stipend per position):
The Design Mentor and Technical Mentor will help guide and assist the student designers as they build and create their own concepts for Comedy of Terrible Errors. They will teach them to create concepts and how to communicate with their crews to actualize their designs. The Design Mentor and Technical Mentor will work directly with the Director, Production Manager, other Mentor, and student production team to create designs to help build the world and tell the story of this production.
Ideal candidates will enjoy working with kids ages 13-18. They should have basic knowledge and experience of 2-3 design elements to be able to assist the teens in creating their designs.
*Both Mentor positions, between the two, should have some coverage of all the following designs: Lights, Sound, Costumes, Set, and Props. The above descriptions are not restricted to each mentor. All combinations of designers are welcome.
*Both Mentors are expected to act as second adults during the rehearsal process. Responsibility will be split between the two Mentors.