A side exterior view of historic Ford’s Theatre, a three-story brick building with five arched windows on the second and third floor. The bottom floor is white and has five arched entryways.
Photo © Maxwell MacKenzie.

Head Props

Ford’s Theatre Society (FTS) is hiring a Head Props position that is responsible for organizing and maintaining the properties, as well as special effects and video, for theatrical productions and educational/special programming for the Society.

Ford’s Theatre Society values and is committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce and working environment. Ford’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age, neurodiversity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide general technical support for rehearsals, performances, load-ins, work note sessions, and strikes
  • Presets and tracks all props during technical and dress rehearsals and performances
  • Assist in pulling of properties from stock as needed for productions, rehearsals, and special events
  • Preparation of prop food and consumables for the shows beginning with first technical rehearsal. The position will also maintain all such supplies in coordination with the Properties Designer
  • Maintain and repair of all props for each production, and, if necessary, coordinate with Property Designer the repair, replacement and maintenance of props
  • Assist the Head Carpenter with the procuring and installation of scenic automation and programming of cues for scenic design
  • Responsible, in coordination with Head Carpenter and Head Electrics, for the procuring, rigging and installation of video equipment for video design. The position may be responsible for running the video program
  • Collaborate and work closely with Designers, Stage Management and Head Carpenter to coordinate all scene shifts, properties, special effects, video and automation including an up-to-date running sheet of cues
  • Organize and maintain all properties stock and first aid inventories of theatre
  • Coordinate safe use of all equipment and safe working procedures with co-workers
  • As required, attend rehearsals, meetings (including departmental and staff), trainings, and notes sessions
  • Other duties as required, including but not limited to providing labor support for other production departments
  • Assist the Head Carpenter with the maintenance and repair of all automation equipment including the recommendation of new purchases to the Production Supervisor
  • Adhere to, promote and support, Ford’s Theatre Society’s safety and company policies
  • Serve Ford’s Theatre Society’s best interests in the coordination and supervision of technical needs for all education and public programming, as well as additional special events
  • Work respectfully and collaboratively with Ford’s Theatre Society staff, visiting artists and outside vendors and contractors
  • Actively participate in the Society’s ongoing efforts to become an anti-racist organization. These efforts include staff-wide conversations, new programming, development of new resources for staff and audiences, and an expectation that all staff will keep themselves informed of new resources and trends in the field of anti-racism and DEAI and how they can be applied to their own work on a day-to-day basis

Qualifications

Required

Demonstrated professional experience in the production and running of theatrical properties for shows, demonstrated experience in scenic automation systems (Creative Connors), as well as video projection systems.

Preferred

Related experience in carpentry, electrics, pyrotechnics, special effects (smoke and fog) weapons, puppets.

Salary

Per FTS/IATSE 22 agreement, for the 24-25 season $50.35/hour

Benefits

Additional benefits under current agreement between FTS/IATSE Local 22 include overtime pay, vacation pay, paid sick leave, parking or transportation subsidy; and pension, annuity, and welfare contributions to respective IATSE 22 funds.

How to Apply

Email: cover letter and theatrical resume to: Sarah R. Hewitt at [email protected]. Applications will be received through September 20, 2024.