Overhire Scenic Carpenter

Position: Overhire Scenic Carpenter

Department: Scene Shop

Reports To: Technical Director and Associate Technical Director

Supervisors: Jim Smith and Matt Rohner

Status: Seasonal Full-time, Non-exempt

Berkeley Repertory Theatre seeks qualified individuals to fill over hire Carpenter positions in the shop and during load‑ins for productions in the  season. Under the direction of the Technical Directors and Assistant Technical Directors, Overhire Carpenters serve as key members of Berkeley Rep’s scene shop. They shall work on scenic construction projects in the scene shop which include fabrication with materials such as lumber, metal, plastics, fabric, and foam.

Overhire Scenic Carpenters must work closely and collegially with other production departments as well as visiting designers and artistic staff. The Overhire Carpenter’s essential job duties must be conducted on Berkeley Rep Campus, in person, and cannot be performed remotely.

• Interpret technical CAD drafts from the Technical Director’s office and fabricate and construct accurate scenic elements for projects as assigned by the Assistant Technical Director.
• Use both wood working skills and metal working artisan skills to create scenery items such as flats, platforms, doors, molding, stairs and other elements.
• Collaborate closely with other departments such as the prop shop, paints shop, stage management, and facilities to ensure a collaborative environment between the shops.
• Participate in and uphold all shop safety processes, policies and practices in all areas of the scene shop.
• Report any repairs and maintenance needs on shop tools, equipment or low inventory stock to the Scene Shop Supervisor.
• Participate in all load‑in and load‑out activities at Berkeley Rep’s theater spaces (the Roda Theater – a proscenium counterweight fly house and the Peet’s Theater, a ¾ thrust stage with fixed grid), as well as any non‑traditional performance spaces.
• Instill and nurture an inclusive, safe, efficient, and effective working environment in Scene Shop.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability to read and interpret theatrical drafts.
• Ability to create accurate material cut lists from drafts.
• Experience using and operating wood and metal working tools.
• Familiarity with CNC machines and fabrication techniques including drilling, cutting, carving, and milling.
• Knowledge of theatrical hardware and appropriate applications.
• Knowledge of basic theatrical rigging including counterweight systems, spot rigging, and soft goods.
• Ability to work both collaboratively as a team and individually on solo projects.
• Ability to think critically and help create solutions for scenic construction, automation and rigging projects.

The Overhire Scenic Carpenter position is physical in nature and requires manual dexterity. The role requires knowledge of and ability to use machinery such as scene shop wood working tools, metal working tools, rigging tools, trucks, and genie lifts. While performing the essential duties, the employee must regularly use sight, sit, manually move objects, use hands, talk on the phone, stand for prolonged periods of time, and work from heights.

The employee must also wear personal protective equipment such as hard hats, safety or welding glasses, close‑toe shoes, and well‑fitted respirators for multiple hours a day. The employee must also push, pull, lift, and move objects up to 50 pounds.

Berkeley Rep is an equal‑opportunity employer and offers professional development support and paid sick leave. Persons from diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.