Assistant Lead Electrician

Now Hiring:
Assistant Lead Electrician

Department: Lighting |
Reports to: Lighting Department Manager |
Status: Seasonal, Full‑Time, Non‑Exempt (January–November 2026) |
Union: IATSE Local 154 |
Pay Rate: $27 hourly |
Schedule: Tuesday–Sunday (evenings, weekends, and overtime required) |
Location: Ashland, OR

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is seeking an experienced and collaborative Assistant Lead Electrician (ALE) to support the creation and execution of lighting systems for our repertory season. This is a hands‑on role for a skilled lighting programmer and technician who thrives in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented production environment and is passionate about building safe, inclusive, and excellent theatrical work.

As Assistant Lead Electrician, you’ll work closely with Lead Electricians and the Lighting Department to install, program, maintain, and run lighting systems across multiple productions. You’ll help bring designers’ visions to life, support technical rehearsals, supervise crews, and maintain the artistic and operational integrity of assigned shows. You’ll also model OSF’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access in all aspects of your work.

• Hang, focus, strike, and maintain conventional and automated lighting equipment.
• Build and install show‑specific lighting, atmospheric effects, and specialty elements.
• Program and run ETC EOS‑family consoles for assigned productions, rehearsals, and understudy tracks.
• Support lighting programmers during technical rehearsals.
• Run and understudy shows; perform lighting changeovers as needed.
• Maintain accurate paperwork, plots, and lighting documentation.
• Supervise lighting technicians during work calls, notes calls, and special projects.
• Maintain and repair lighting, special effects, and atmospheric equipment, including software and firmware updates.
• Collaborate with Video, Stage Operations, and other production departments on integrated systems and special projects.
• Uphold departmental SOPs and contribute to continuous improvement of processes.

• Have at least 3 years of professional theatrical lighting experience (a BA in Technical Theatre/Lighting may substitute for one year).
• Bring advanced proficiency with ETC EOS lighting consoles.
• Have strong working knowledge of theatrical lighting systems, electrical theory, networking protocols, and rigging practices.
• Can read and interpret light plots and standard lighting paperwork.
• Communicate clearly, work calmly under pressure, and collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Are comfortable working in a repertory environment with dynamic and overlapping schedules.
• Value safe, respectful, and inclusive working environments.

• Familiarity with Vectorworks and Light wright.
• Experience with automated fixtures (Vari‑Lite, High End, Clay Paky) and LED systems.
• Knowledge of show control protocols, video projection systems, or media servers.
• Experience with low‑voltage systems, soldering, or basic electronics/programming.

• Ability to work at heights up to 45’, including lifts, ladders, and vertical climbs with fall protection.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly and heavier equipment occasionally.
• Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, crouching, and working long production days.
• Schedule includes nights, weekends, split shifts, and overtime, especially during technical rehearsals.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) was founded in 1935 in Ashland, OR, and has grown from a three‑day festival of two plays to a nationally renowned theatre arts organization that presents a rotating repertory season of up to 10 plays and musical works. OSF productions have been presented on Broadway, internationally, and at regional, community, and high school theatres across the country.

OSF received the 1983 Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is one of the largest nonprofit theatres in the nation with three stages, including an outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival creates world‑class theatre, revealing our collective humanity…