Work With Us

Director ($1000 Stipend)
The Director is responsible for teaching children in the cast the fundamentals of acting and theatrical production and maintaining an educational atmosphere at all times, pursuant to the stated objectives of the company. The ideal candidate will enjoy working with kids ages 9-18 and has previous experience in directing. They will work closely with the Stage Manager. 
Director applicants will require a brief proposal of potential concepts and goals they might have if given the opportunity to direct Oliver! JR. 

• Work with Stage Manager and Production Manager to prepare for organized, efficient auditions.
• Work with the production team on casting decisions.
• Distribute a concept statement to production staff and STC Board of Directors.
• Collaborate with Stage Manager, Designer(s), and Production Manager to create a unified artistic plan for the production based on selected script.
• Block all scenes; run blocking rehearsals and general rehearsals according to the attached schedule.
• Keep cast members orderly and productive during rehearsals; instruct cast members on theater rules and make sure they are followed.
• Develop 3-5 instructional objectives in collaboration with the Production Manager.
• Make sure the rehearsal area is clean before leaving each day, with the assistance of the cast.
• Attend production meetings.
• Assist with set construction, acquiring of properties, and other aspects of production, as needed.
• Determine music and sound requirements for the production. 

Musical Director ($900 stipend)
Musical Director is responsible for teaching children in the cast the fundamentals of acting and theatrical production and maintaining an educational atmosphere at all times, pursuant to the stated objectives of the company.

• Work with Stage Manager, Director, Choreographer, and Production Manager to prepare for organized, efficient auditions.
• Work with the production team on casting decisions.
• Collaborate with Stage Manager, Designers and Production Manager to create a unified artistic plan for the production based on selected script.
• Run music rehearsals according to the attached schedule. Teach cast members the songs for the production.
• Accompany rehearsals using the piano and/or provided production/rehearsal cds.
• Keep cast members orderly and productive during rehearsals; instruct cast members on theater rules and make sure they are followed.
• Develop 3-5 instructional objectives in collaboration with the Director, Stage Manager, and Production Manager. 
• Attend production meetings.

Stage Manager ($800 Stipend)
We’re looking for a fun, organized person to stage manage our youth production of Oliver! JR. Never stage managed before? It’s okay, we’ll teach you. You’ll be working closely with a director and production team. The ideal candidate will have excellent written communication skills. Highly organized and motivated with good attention to detail. Good time management. Experience with youth (in the arts or any other field) is a bonus; enthusiasm about working with them is a must. We’re happy to teach you if you want to learn.

• Work with the Director and Production Manager to prepare for organized, efficient auditions. 
• Attend Auditions and Callbacks.
• Work with the production team on casting decisions.
• Assist the Director with running blocking rehearsals and general rehearsals as listed on the separate schedule; keep blocking notes.  Arrive at all rehearsals 15 minutes prior to start time.  Ensure that all cast and crew members have a proper way home.
• Keep cast members orderly and productive during rehearsals; instruct cast members on theater rules and make sure they are followed.
• Develop and maintain a cast list; track tardiness and absences, and call any missing cast, as necessary.
• Attend production meetings; maintain and distribute notes from meetings to the production team.
• Prepare a daily rehearsal report and distribute it to the production team.
• Supervise and train a student assistant stage manager and backstage crew.
• Provide necessary rehearsal properties, with assistance from Properties Designer.
• Assist with set construction and other aspects of production as needed.
• Assist with set load-in to the theater as needed.
• Coordinate with the production team on getting the tech cues all together.
• Call the cues and times for the show.
• Assist with set strike.

Choreographer ($750 stipend)
Choreographer is responsible for creating the choreography for the songs in the show and teaching the actors the choreography. Choreographer, with the director, is also responsible for teaching the children in the cast the fundamentals of acting and theatrical production and maintaining an educational atmosphere at all times. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collaborate with Director, Stage Manager, Designer(s), and Production Manager to create a unified artistic plan for the production based on selected script.
• Assist with auditions. Work with the production team on casting decisions.
• Choreograph all dance numbers for the production.
• Assist with rehearsals as scheduled with the Director. Teach the show choreography to the cast, in collaboration with the Director.
• Train a dance captain(s) to rehearse the dance sequences with the cast.

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.

Props Designer ($400 Stipend)
Props Designer designs and builds the props for the production. This position will put in the most work during tech week and performances. Ideal candidate is a creative person with time management. Previous experience preferred but not required. Duties will include:

• Collaborate with the Director, Stage Manager, and Production Manager to create a unified artistic plan for the production based on selected script.
• Identify necessary property requirements for production based on script, budget, and input from the production team.
• Prepare props list and distribute to the Director, Stage Manager, and Production Manager.
• Obtain (purchase, build, rent, etc.) necessary rehearsal props and performance props for production.
• Organize cast members and parent volunteers to help acquire necessary props.
• Repair existing props as necessary.
• Attend production meetings.
• Assist with other aspects of production as needed.
• Keep properties in good repair during shows, if needed.
• Assist with set strike.

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 lighting 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!

• Organize scenery construction sessions by purchasing or otherwise acquiring (rent, borrow, etc.) all necessary set construction items, arrange delivery to construction location, and plan for each session’s activities anticipating widely varying levels of participation from session to session.
• Ensure scenery construction sessions are scheduled with student set construction crew members and supervise all construction sessions.
• Instruct any student set construction crew members on proper shop safety.
• Schedule the use of the community truck for load-in day and strike day.  Pick up and return the truck.
• 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 load-in to the theater.
• Assist with backstage activities and scene changes. 
• Assist with set strike; arrange for the disposal, return and/or storage of set pieces and props.

Costume Designer ($500 Stipend)
Costume Designer is responsible for designing and acquiring costumes (buy/rent/build) for the production. With the exception of weekly production meetings, this position can work on their own schedule. Previous experience and basic sewing knowledge is preferred but not required.  Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

•  Identify necessary costume requirements for production based on script, budget, and input from the production team.
• Prepare costume plot and distribute to Director, Stage Manager, and Production Manager.
• Obtain (purchase, sew, rent, etc.) necessary costumes for production.
• Organize cast members and parent volunteers to help acquire necessary costumes.
• Repair existing costumes as necessary.
• Attend production meetings.
• Assist with set construction, acquiring of properties, and other aspects of production as needed.
• During the show, assist with backstage activities and maintain costumes.
• Assist with set strike; arrange for the return of cleaned costumes after production.