Berkshire Theatre Group is hiring: Scenic Artist in Pittsfield

Berkshire Theatre Group, celebrating its 97th year as a professional theatre in Western MA, is accepting resumes for a Scenic Artist for the 2025 summer season. The festival will have five fully produced productions, plus concerts and special events on two stages. Weekly salary of $600 plus housing and all utilities provided. Summer season runs from mid May until mid/late August. Employment dates vary based on position.

The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. In 2010, under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, the two organizations merged to form Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). Berkshire Theatre Group’s mission is to support wide-ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music, and entertainment. Every year, BTG produces and presents performances to over 68,000 attendees and, through our Educational Program, serves over 11,000 Berkshire County school children annually. In July 2020, Berkshire Theatre was the first company in the United States to earn approval from Actors’ Equity Association to produce a musical (Godspell) in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2028, Berkshire Theatre will celebrate 100 years of making theatre.

Berkshire Theatre Group is committed to Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Access and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. BTG welcomes and encourages people from all backgrounds to participate in every facet of our organization as having a multitude of diverse voices expands and enhances the work we do. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

BTG’s vision is to be a center for creative work that enriches, educates, invigorates, transforms, and strengthens our community for the better.

Even if your skills do not fully meet all the qualifications below, we encourage you to apply. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to hiring@berkshiretheatre.org. This position reports to: Scenic Charge and ultimately, the Director of Productions.

Qualifications:

1. Google Suite basic understanding (Google Drive, Docs, Sheets)
2. Proficient experience in theatrical scenic painting or equivalent experience.
3. Knowledge of scenic art techniques including but not limited to color mixing and color theory, faux finish techniques, physical texture applications, and foam carving.
4. Ability to read scale drawings and replicate patterns in full scale.
5. Demonstrated organizational skills, efficiency, multi-tasking, and ability to prioritize and motivate.
6. Exhibited self-reliance, creative problem-solving skills and willingness to seek out all possible solutions to challenges.
7. Working knowledge of safety standards and implementation.
8. Comfort working at heights preferred.
9. Ability to drive preferred.

Responsibilities:

1. Assist with executing scenic finishes for all scenic elements of BTG productions and external projects.
2. Maintain a quality of work that aligns with Berkshire Theatre Group standards.
3. Appropriately prep scenic surfaces for durability and aesthetics, including filling holes, sanding, priming, and coating foam.
4. Create and apply a variety of three-dimensional textures, such as raised wood grains.
5. Match wood grains from both painted wood grain finishes and real wood finishes.
6. Authentically age and distress scenic pieces as necessary.
7. Inventory and maintain stock of required paint and supplies.
8. Assist with any summer concerts/events as needed.
9. Assist or lead other related projects as assigned.

Expectations:

1. Communicate information to other staff in the department.
2. Collaborate with coworkers on assigned tasks.
3. Handle pressure professionally in high-stress situations.
4. Be self-sufficient in tasks assigned.
5. Read all production scripts.
6. Be flexible on job assignments.
7. Represent the organization appropriately and abide by the mission statement.
8. Demonstrate behavior showing a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Perform work in a manner that is consistent with that commitment.