Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia, PA| www.ardentheatre.org

Position Title: Charge Scenic Artist

Department: Production

Classification: Full-Time Non-Exempt, 40 hours/week, 10 Month Position

Reports to: Technical Director

Location: On-Site

About the Arden

Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is a professional regional theatre offering the highest quality theatrical productions and educational programs to the artists, audiences, and students of Greater Philadelphia. Each year, we produce the Mainstage season and Arden Children's Theatre, the city's first resident children's theatre. From our productions that reach over 100,000 audience members each year to our educational outreach programs that inspire and empower 6,000 students in schools across our region, the Arden stands out as a haven for shared stories and a vital incubator to create new work.

The Arden has been an important force behind the vitality of the Old City neighborhood and in the Philadelphia cultural landscape In the 2023 / 2024 season, the Arden produced seven Mainstage and two Arden Children's Theatre productions, resulting in 375 performances seen by more than 85,000 people.

Mission

Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community.

Great stories on the stage: We produce a wide range of stories in a variety of styles: classic and contemporary, intimate, and epic, fiction and nonfiction, musical and dramatic. Producing the great playwrights allows us to measure ourselves against the masters of our craft while sharing the voices of new writers gives us the opportunity to shape the future of American theatre. We embrace stories for audiences of all ages and bring the same artistic quality to all our work.

Great stories in the classroom: Kids are celebrated at the Arden. We nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence through our educational programming. We foster connections between theatre and reading and promote literacy for our young audiences. We reach thousands of students each year, introducing many of our region's kids to theatre for the first time.

Great stories in the community: We believe in the power of stories to bring people together. We work to build a vital community of artists who excel creatively through shared experiences and with whom our audiences identify. The Arden strives to be Philadelphia's hometown theatre; we seek community partnerships and collaborations, make our work affordable and accessible, and train the next generation of theatre leaders, contributing to the region's cultural landscape.

Position Summary

Arden Theatre Company seeks an experienced professional to join our dynamic, agile production staff. Reporting directly to the Technical Director, the Charge Scenic Artist works closely with Set Designers and the Technical Director to realize all paint and visual aspects of the show, within the constraints of budget and schedule. The Charge Scenic Artist collaborates with fellow production shop heads to ensure the smooth, day-to-day operation of all production departments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Paint scenic elements to convey the set designer’s vision, meet the functional requirements of the play and ensure durability and safety standards
Interpret design and work drawings
Implement creative design solutions in collaboration with designers to successfully realize the visual needs of the production
Determine efficient paint process including accurate time estimates and materials needed
Coordinate with other production departments to develop plans for the efficient integration of paint
Implement all aspects of the planning, execution, maintenance, and disposal of paint elements for all Arden productions and special events
Maintain a safe working environment
Manage and keep up-to-date Arden’s paint and paint tools inventory, this includes routine maintenance and cleaning, overseeing any/all rental inquires
Oversee staff – including over-hire staff, interns, and Arden Professional Apprentices, investing in their talent, and encouraging their growth while setting clear and obtainable goals
Schedule overhire or apprentice labor according to the demands of the work
Manage paint material and labor budgets in conjunction with Production Manager
Uphold open communication with Designers and fellow production staff members
Respond to facility maintenance projects as assigned by General Manager or Production Manager
Participate in weekly and show-specific production meetings
Maintain paint shop and equipment – including routine maintenance, inventory upkeep, and cleaning

Competencies

Must have strong communication skills

Have a positive, team-oriented attitude. Actively and positively interacting with all of Arden’s departments, creating a collaborative environment within both the department and the company
Be proficient in Office 365, Dropbox, Zoom, and other cloud-based applications
Be someone with initiative, creativity, and a collaborative spirit. Must have the ability to work within a fast-paced, dedicated team—rolling up your sleeves must be a favored tactic.
Be willing and able to work flexible hours/days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a theatre, which includes a variety of hours, including evenings and weekends.
Express a passion for theatre in the Philadelphia cultural community with a genuine interest in becoming a driver of Arden’s mission and vision.

Required Experience

At least 5 years professional scenic artist experience
A broad-based knowledge of professional theatre producing practices. Both formal, informal, and cross-disciplinary experiences will be considered
Knowledge of scenic art including, but not limited to: hard scenery, soft scenery, texture, wallpaper and any other covered work
Knowledge of a wide variety of materials
Advanced skills and techniques in scenic artistry
Experience producing theatre in a flexible “black box” theatre space preferred

Work Environment

This position splits time between paint shop, scene shop and two flexible theater environments
Indoor environments, some with low light and confined spaces
Stairs, ladders and scaffolding up to 23 feet

Physical Demands

Must be able to lift and move 50 pounds throughout the workday
Must be able to climb stairs, ladders and scaffolding
Can bend, twist, crawl and kneel to complete paint work and notes as space allows
Must be able to safely operate standard scenic and paint equipment, as expected to be found in a typical theatrical scenic and paint shop

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation

Compensation for this position is $900-$945 a week, based on experience. This position is an annual contract ranging from 43 to 45 weeks per season (August-June).

Arden Theatre Company provides Medical and Disability Insurance, Flexible Savings Plan, 403(b) Defined Contribution Plan, and paid vacation, personal, and holiday leave.

Arden Theatre Company has instituted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees; the successful candidate must provide proof of vaccination prior to beginning work and must agree to adhere to all Arden Theatre Company's safety protocols.

Arden Theatre Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an environment of mutual respect. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from historically underrepresented groups in the theatre industry are strongly encouraged to apply.