Opportunities with Barter Theatre

Opportunities with Production

Costume Technician
This employee will be part of the costume shop staff and will assist with the realization of the costumes for all productions on both stages. Working with other costume technicians, tasks will include new construction, stock alterations, costume crafts, stock maintenance, and specific wardrobe responsibilities. The regular work week will be 40 hours, Tuesday-Saturday unless otherwise notified. Shop work hours will be balanced with any necessary performance requirements. Contract dates are April 3 – December 31, 2023. Compensation is $480/wk plus over time, housing and health insurance.

Essential Functions and Skills
* Read and understand each script, costume design and costume plot
* Complete shop projects as assigned by the shop foreman and/or shop manager
* Assist with strike, fittings and photo calls as requested
* Train to cover dressing positions in case of injury or illness: attend at least one performance, shadow backstage at least once, run at least one performance while being shadowed
* Join the wardrobe crew for productions as assigned
* Must be highly organized and self disciplined
* Advanced sewing skills using domestic and industrial sewing machines, irons, steamers
* Basic knowledge of patterning and draping
* General knowledge and experience in costume crafts and millinery
* Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience
BA/BFA or MFA in technical theatre, emphasis on costume construction/design and wardrobe OR A minimum of one year in a costuming and/or performing arts environment

Please send resume and references to asullivan@bartertheatre.com

Wig & Makeup Supervisor
This employee will create all hair and makeup styles, including prosthetics, for each production on the Gilliam and Smith stages, instruct wardrobe in the maintenance of each wig and SFX appliance, and offer makeup application suggestions and instruction to the performers as requested. Contract dates are February 20 – November 26, 2023. Compensation is $684/wk exempt plus housing and health insurance.

Essential Functions and Skills
* Read and understand each script, costume design and costume plot
* Research appropriate hair and makeup styles as needed
* Pull/purchase/construct (or front) wigs and facial hair as needed
* Style wigs and facial hair as per the costume designer
* Create hair styles for performers using their own hair, and instruct the performers as to how to achieve the desired style
* If applicable, cut/shape/color the performers’ hair as requested for a production
* Procure all makeup and prosthetic needs for each production
* Create prosthetics as needed
* Attend publicity photo calls as needed
* Create a wig bible for each production, and maintain the information as needed
* Create a wig washing schedule in accordance with AEA guidelines for each production to be shared with Stage Management and Wardrobe
* Wash and restyle all wigs and facial hair
* Monitor wigs/hair/makeup regularly to ensure the design is being properly maintained
* Must be highly organized and self disciplined
* Ability to ventilate, style, cut and color wigs and facial hair
* Advanced knowledge of the history of makeup, makeup application, and SFX makeup
* Basic sewing
* Advanced knowledge of the history of hairstyles and wigs
* Expert communication, diplomacy, and discretion
* Cosmetology is a plus
* Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience
BA/BFA or MFA in technical theatre, emphasis on costume construction/design, specializing in wigs, hair and makeup and two years as a professional wig & makeup artist in a professional performing arts environment OR A minimum of four years as a wig and makeup artist in a professional performing arts environment

Please send resume and references to asullivan@bartertheatre.com

Summer Dresser
This employee works with the Wardrobe Supervisor and other dressers to assist the actors with dressing and quick changes, to clean and maintain all costumes and costume pieces, and to safeguard the integrity of the costume design throughout the run of each production. Contract dates are May 22 – August 20, 2023. Compensation: $480/wk plus overtime, housing and health insurance.

Essential Functions and Skills
* Read and understand scripts and costume plots
* Attend at least one run-through prior to tech
* Assist in the creation of run sheets, check-in sheets, preset lists
* Assist in the preparation of dressing rooms and quick change areas
* Assist with load-in/load-out
* Learn and execute all assigned presets and quick changes
* Assist with laundry and costume/wig maintenance in accordance with AEA guidelines
* Basic machine and hand sewing
* Laundry and stain removal
* Proficiency with laundry machines, industrial irons, industrial and domestic sewing machines, steamers
* Basic wig maintenance
* Basic stage makeup
* Strong communication and diplomacy skills
* Valid driver’s license and clean driving record preferred
* Ability to lift and carry at least 30 pounds, to climb stairs, to stand for long periods of time, and to function in very low lighting
* Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience
Minimum of one year experience dressing in a performing arts setting

Please send resume and references to: asullivan@bartertheatre.com

Gilliam Stage Carpenter
The Stage Carpenter’s primary responsibilities are maintaining the integrity of the scenery once in performances and changing over the scenery (“repping”) between shows. This employee is responsible for all crew members involved in the rep and for leading this process in an efficient and safe manner. If needed, this employee works in conjunction with stage management to help run the show. When no shows are in performance and/or the above responsibilities are not required of the Stage Carpenter, the employee will work in the scene shop. This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position making $15.00/hr. Start date negotiable.

Essential Functions and Skills
* Lead the rep crew
* When needed, be a part of the run crew
* Excellent understanding of scenic construction and tools
* Knowledge of the basic aspects of stage rigging
* Attend strike and load-in work calls as needed
* The ability to work independently
* A self motivator with the ability to motivate others
* Excellent communication skills including prompt and thorough paperwork
* The ability to perform under pressure
* The ability to lift fifty pounds
* Maintain a clean and organized backstage area
* Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience
BA or BFA with an emphasis in Technical Production as well as run crew experience AND/OR a minimum of 2 years experience in scenic construction and run crew work in a professional performing arts environment.

Please send resume and references to Brandon Jones, Technical Director, at bjones@bartertheatre.com

Scenic Carpenter
This employee is responsible for the safe construction, installation, and removal of scenery as directed by the Technical Director and /or Shop Foreman. This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position. Full benefits and housing included. $12/hr. This position reports to the Technical Director.

Essential Functions and Skills
* Build scenery safely, efficiently and accurately in accordance with the designs
* Rig scenery safely and efficiently
* Attend all strike and load in calls
* Job may require heavy lifting (50+ lbs.), ladder work, and long hours
* Additional duties as assigned
* Ability to read and interpret working drawings
* Demonstrated knowledge of stage carpentry
* Demonstrated knowledge of basic aspects of stage rigging.
* Knowledge and proficiency of all common hand and power tools
* The ability to work both as part of a team and independently
* A self motivator with the ability to motivate others
* Clear and concise communication
* Welding skills, experience with CNC machines are a plus

Required Education/Experience
BA or BFA in Technical Production with an emphasis on scenic construction AND/OR a minimum of 2 years experience in a professional scene shop.

Please send resume and references to Brandon Jones, Technical Director, at bjones@bartertheatre.com

Production Assistant
This employee assists the AEA Stage Managers and Deck Carpenter with daily set changeovers; production run crew roles; rehearsal needs and other duties as needed. Contract beginning and end dates vary throughout the year. Compensation is $480/wk. plus overtime, housing and health insurance. Possible EMC credit.
Essential Functions and Skills:
* Be a part of the backstage run crew
* Be a part of the crew that changes the sets over during the week
* Help in rehearsals
* Help maintain a safe and clean backstage area
* Comfortable with basic carpentry tools
* Ability to lift 50 lbs.
* Able to problem solve
* Ability to work well with others and maintain positive attitude
Required Education/Experience:
Relevant experience and/or Theatre degree desired.
Please send resume and references to Cindi Raebel, Production Stage Manager, at craebel@bartertheatre.com

Barter has instituted a mandatory COVID vaccination program for all employees; the successful candidate must provide proof of an FDA-approved vaccine prior to beginning work and must agree to adhere to all Barter safety Protocols.

Barter Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer who celebrates diversity and does not discriminate based on race,religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Barter Theatre is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Barter Players are some of the finest young actors from across the country who come to Barter Theatre to further their training. We audition over a thousand actors each year for 6 year round positions, and we seek young artists who are committed to growth, who have strong enough skills to step into major roles, and who believe in theatre as a service to others.

The Players are the non-equity acting company at the theatre. They perform in at least 5 plays during their contract, but usually closer to 7 or 10. Barter Players perform for young audiences in their own shows, and also perform in Barter’s AEA shows in roles small and large. We use the same depth of acting tools on Hamlet and Charlotte’s Web. Because we believe in all theatre artists having an understanding and respect for all parts of theatre, all Barter Players will work backstage of at least one show during their time here, but the bulk of a Players’ experience here is in rehearsal and performances.

Rehearsals have a master class feel, as we are constantly working together on each person’s strengths and weaknesses. If you enjoy learning with an ensemble of artists who care about theatre as much as you do, if you are excited to see how far you can push yourself as a theatre artist, if you work best when you are juggling lots of projects, if you don’t mind sweeping a stage before you act on it, if you believe that theatre can change a child’s life for the better, and if you want to see how much you can learn, you might be a Barter Player.

We audition at Barter in early December each year and attend UPTAs in Memphis in February. For more information on the program, contact Barrett Guyton at barterplayers@bartertheatre.com

Barter depends on its amazing group of volunteers! Our volunteers are essential to what we do here at Barter. There are many ways to help support Barter with your time.

If you are interested in an internship with Barter Theatre, please send a resume and cover letter to the appropriate department.

Summer Educational Acting Internships with The Barter Players

Barrett Guyton at barterplayers@bartertheatre.com

Technical Internships

Camille Davis at dirofproduction@bartertheatre.com

Marketing Internships

Morgan Egan at dirofmarketing@bartertheatre.com

Advancement Internships

Jackie Blevins at advancementmgr@bartertheatre.com

Click here to learn more about our Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights.

AFPP 2022 Submission Guidelines