Careers at The Shaw - Shaw Festival Theatre

Set & Costume Design Assistants Design Coordinator Cutter / Tailor Green room Cook Housekeeping Positions Directors Project

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

We acknowledge and honour the land upon which we gather as the historic and traditional territory of First Nations peoples. In particular we recognize and thank the Neutral Nation, the Mississauga and the Haudenosaunee for their stewardship of these lands over millennia.

Set & Costume Design Assistants

The Shaw Festival is seeking applications for a seasonal, full time Set and Costume Design Assistants. These positions report to the Production Director, Design Coordinator, and Mentors where assigned, and are part of the design team. Bi-weekly salons/workshops will be arranged with Mentors and Design Coordinator to offer orientation and support throughout the term.

These are seasonal positions with varying contract lengths depending on show assignments, ranging from 8 weeks to 36 weeks. Positions are available starting mid-February through to mid-November 2022. Weekly commitment is based on a 40-hour work week. It is understood that the weekly workload will vary related to the nature of the job responsibilities and production scheduling Details will be discussed with candidates selected for interviews.

Candidates can expect to assist on regular season productions with professional designers and be offered mutually agreed upon opportunities to further their own art and craft through mentorship, artistic incubation and the fostering of creative relationships.

Responsibilities:

SET/PROPS DESIGN ASSISTANT

responsibilities include but are not limited to:

research/visual reference collection and distribution to appropriate departments related to set and props designs of a production
interpreting and updating drafting/drawings throughout the production process
assist in the building of the set model
attend design meetings/production meetings/shop visits/ props pulls and all technical rehearsals with the designer to support the design process.
attend rehearsal when possible.
compile documentation of the production for remount/archival purposes.

COSTUME DESIGN ASSISTANT:

responsibilities include but are not limited to:

research/visual reference collection and distribution to appropriate departments and crafts people related to costume designs of a production.
assist on fabric and garment shopping trips/internet shopping and record keeping related to those activities with wardrobe coordinators and designers.
attend design meetings/production meetings/shop visits/ costume pulls and all technical rehearsals with the designer to support the design process.
attend wig and wardrobe fittings with the designer.
attend cutter/crafts person discussions with the designer.

Qualifications include:

A willingness to learn and collaborate
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written
Strong organizational and time management skills with an ability to multi-task and be flexible.
Self-motivated
Experience and/or training in design/production on a professional level with an interest in set and costume design for performance.
Basic model making skills and materials knowledge
Basic sketching/rendering skills
Skill and comfort in visual communication
Research skills
Computer skills with Microsoft Office, Photoshop skills would be considered an asset
For set/props specifically: Basic drafting skills in CAD or VECTORWORKS
Basic fabric knowledge and understanding
Basic period knowledge and interest
Ontario Class G or equivalent driver’s license with a clean driving record

PLEASE NOTE

The Shaw Festival has production shops, props, set construction and scenic art that are not located in Niagara on the Lake and are a short drive from the main theatre and rehearsal spaces. A vehicle is required to access these shops. Design assistants will have shared access to a vehicle that is available to schedule and sign out.

Salary range: $825 – $900 weekly

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by 4:00 pm January 31, 2022 to:

Human Resources, Director
Shaw Festival Theatre
10 Queen’s Parade, Box 774
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Email: dlg@shawfest.com

While all responses are appreciated, only those selected for an interview will be contacted

Please Note* All new hires must provide Proof of Full Vaccination Status prior to their first day of work.

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Festival

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

Design Coordinator – Set / Costume Design

The Shaw Festival is seeking applications for a seasonal, full time Design Coordinator. This is a newly created position, aimed at providing design assistants, incoming and returning Designers a facilitator, advocate and support person to field coordination and organization of the assistant designer assignments and production department communication.

Start date March 2022. This will be a seasonal position typically between mid-January and mid-November (this will vary based on programming). Weekly commitment is based on a 40-hour work week. It is understood that the weekly workload will vary related to the nature of the job responsibilities and production scheduling.

The Design Coordinator is part of the Design and Production department and reports to the Production Director. The Design Coordinator would work closely with the Set and Costume Designers engaged for the current season and Seasonal Design Mentors, Creative Management, Lighting Design Director, and all Production departments. The Design Coordinator would be directly responsible for the design assistant program and its development in ongoing discussion with Production Director and Creative Management and the in ongoing consultation with Design Mentors and seasonally engaged Designers.

Responsibilities include:

Creating a welcoming and supportive work environment with the physical hub being the design department office at The Shaw Festival
Coordinate show assignments for current design assistants in discussion with designers and design assistants. This maybe partially complete for the regular 2022 season but will be required for the winter season and upcoming 2023 season.
Coordinate and plan weekly salon check ins with design assistants to facilitate and aid in community building, open discussion around show assignments, personal artistic goals and potential pathways for development.
Coordinate and facilitate ongoing needs with the season designers /production staff, design assistants and their productions.
Facilitate skill development for design assistants using Shaw Festival resources. This could include but is not limited to: CAD / Vectorworks, 3D printing, scenic painting, materials and resource library building, set construction understanding/automation/rep related materials and techniques. The potential format for this would be scheduled discussions and/ or workshops with invited guests or current Shaw festival staff.
Mentor and support design assistant project assignments.
Plan and execute current and future orientations and introductions with Festival production staff, Shaw Festival staff at large and the design community. This could include but is not limited to: updating current orientation for designers and assistant designers, engaging with current design programs and ADC to bring awareness to the opportunities at Shaw and being part of the hiring committee to hire new design assistants for future seasons.
Develop improved methods to support Shaw Festival production

Qualifications include:

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral. An ability to build positive personnel relationships.
Proficient abilities interpreting set/props and costume drawings and drafting for theatre and an understanding of method and materials used to execute set/props and costume designs.
An excellent knowledge of theatre production processes with a focus on the set and costume design process, operational knowledge of theatre systems, practices and protocols with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in professional theatre.
Good knowledge of theatre design and production in repertory theatre.
Proven time management and organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy
Proficiency with computer software, typically, Microsoft Office, abilities with CAD/Vectorworks and Photoshop would be considered an asset
Ontario Class G or equivalent driver license with a clean driving record

Salary range: $1,000 – $1,100 weekly

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume by 4:00 pm January 31, 2022 to:

Human Resources, Director
Shaw Festival Theatre
10 Queen’s Parade, Box 774
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Email: dlg@shawfest.com

While all responses are appreciated, only those selected for an interview will be contacted

Please Note* All new hires must provide Proof of Full Vaccination Status prior to their first day of work.

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Festival

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

Cutter / Tailor

The Shaw Festival is currently accepting applications for a Cutter/Tailor position in the Wardrobe Department. This is a seasonal contract position reporting to the Head of Wardrobe.

The position requires an individual with 3 years plus of demonstrated cutting experience as a Cutter / Tailor. This position is responsible for building and overseeing a portion of our season’s costumes, which requires an in-depth knowledge of costume history and construction.

The successful candidate must be able to work under pressure, meet deadlines, be organized, reliable and accurate and work well as part of a team. We encourage a positive and proactive working environment. A good sense of humour is always appreciated.

Knowledge of Health and Safety compliance is essential.

This is a seasonal position between January and August. With the possibility of work October/November. The incumbent will have the option and opportunity for off season work in our workshops.

Wage rate: $29.00 – $32.00 hourly. 40 hours weekly

If you meet the above requirements and would be thrilled to work in this dynamic department, please submit a cover letter and your resume prior to December 5, 2021 at 5:00 pm to:

Shaw Festival Theatre
Attention: Director Human Resources
Email: dlg@shawfest.com

Please note: All new hires must provide proof of Full Vaccination status prior to their first day of work.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Festival

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

Green Room Cook

Required immediately to December 2021
Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – must have reliable transportation

The Shaw’s Green Room is an onsite dining facility that provides food service for staff, catered events and our Festival Theatre Café. All food is prepared to order and cooked or baked fresh from our menu that changes weekly. The cook’s responsibilities include multitasking while working the line, food preparation and learn multiple weekly menu items. The successful candidate will have previous kitchen experience and a keen interest to learn. Skills required include cooking, entrée plating, ability to read and interpret a recipe, maintaining inventory levels and familiar with restaurant equipment (Flattop, grill, POS system, fryer, slicer).

Excellent organizational skills, the ability take direction and work independently as a member of our team are essential. Our Green Room team assists in all areas including taking orders and appreciate the respectful and creative environment, learning opportunities, the modern air-conditioned kitchen, the unusually good hours for a culinary facility. The Shaw’s Green Room is open daily from 8:30am-7pm, 6 days per week. Successful candidates would work 5 days and have 2 days off weekly.

Rate of pay $17.17 per hour – 35 hours per week.

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume prior to 5pm on January 22 to:

Shaw Festival Theatre
Attention: Director Human Resources
Email: dlg@shawfest.com

Please note: All new hires must provide proof of Full Vaccination status prior to their first day of work.

We thank all applicants in advance, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Festival

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

Housekeeping Positions

Seasonal positions available – December 2022
30–35 hours per week

Reporting to the Head of Housekeeping, the position will be responsible for a variety of light cleaning at our festival theatres. As the position includes operating various cleaning equipment (i.e. vacuum cleaner and other manual and power cleaning equipment), experience is an asset, but willing to train. The ideal candidate must have good written and oral communication skills, ability to lift up to 20 lbs as well as work as part of the team in our busy housekeeping department. (30-35 hours weekly) we are hiring for two shifts 5am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 10pm, 5 days per week must be available on weekends. A valid G Class Drivers License and a good driver’s record is required.

Rate of pay – $17.55/hr

Interested candidates should submit their cover letter and resume prior to 5pm on January 22 to:

Shaw Festival Theatre
Att: Director Human Resources
Email: dlg@shawfest.com

Please note: All new hires must provide proof of Full Vaccination status prior to their first day of work.

We thank all applicants in advance, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Festival

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.

As part of the Slaight Family Academy, we employ two intern directors at The Shaw. These early to mid-career directors will be invited to participate, either from within the Ensemble or through personal invitation to those with whom we have a professional relationship and/or working knowledge. There will no longer be an open submission process.

The intern directors have access to pre-production training, and ongoing training “gymnasia” with resident lighting, set, and costume designers, as well as with visiting master directors. They direct performances of the Secret Theatre during the season, as well as participating in various aspects of education and outreach at the Shaw. Their final contribution is a late season showcase, The Neil Munro Intern Directors Project, in which they each direct a one act play chosen in conversation with the Artistic Director and the Associate Artistic Director.

Click here for further information about this program. Please send inquiries to Kimberley Rampersad

Thank you for your interest in the Shaw Festival

As one of the world’s leading theatre companies and Niagara’s 20 largest employers, The Shaw is dedicated to an ongoing process of increasing diversity and inclusion in our audiences, our programs, and in all of our hiring for staff, artists, and in the recruiting of board members. The Shaw is committed to a future when our theatres joyously draw on and include all peoples, fully reflective of the world around us. As such, the Shaw Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We encourage and invite applications from applicants who identify as Indigenous, Black or as persons of colour (IBPOC), the LGBTQ2+ communities and those identifying as gender fluid. In accordance with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and in keeping with our wish to ensure a fully inclusive environment, please advise Human Resources if you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process. We will be happy to assist.