Scenic Shop Graduate Assistant (2024-2025 Academic Year)

Scope of Responsibility:

The Scenic Shop Graduate Assistant provides assistance to the Technical Director for day to day operations of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The Scenic Shop Graduate Assistant is responsible for the execution of scenic and/or properties elements for the The Clarice productions as assigned. The Scenic Shop Graduate Assistant may supervise paid and unpaid student and contingent personnel. There are three part time (10hr a week), 9.5 month Scenic Shop Graduate Assistant positions available. The positions will begin in August 2024.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Construct, paint, locate, shop for and obtain scenery and/or properties for The Clarice productions as directed by the Technical Director.
  2. Provide support and assistance to Scene Shop Coordinator, Paint Shop Coordinator and/or Properties Shop Manager on a per project basis throughout the season.
  3. Provide support for show notes during the technical and dress rehearsal process as needed.
  4. Assist with maintaining a regular inventory of shop supplies and materials as needed and within established budgets.
  5. Read and interpret blueprints, specifications or rough sketches in order to construct, repair or install items according to design specifications.
  6. Operate and maintain tools related to scenic and properties construction and/or painting.
  7. Exhibit the PPE rules for the shops.
  8. Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
  9. Take leading role over special projects as directed.
  10. Supervise any students within the shop, stage or other venues as required by the activities of the shop.
  11. Position may include supervised and unsupervised painting and/or construction of scenic and properties elements.
  12. Provide coordination of events in Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center venues including staffing, training, supervision, venue preparation, use of equipment and supplies.
  13. Able to work nights and weekends as assigned.
  14. Clock in and out for all shifts and breaks via time clock system.
  15. Follow schedules produced by the Technical Director and notify him/her of conflicts to your academic schedule two weeks in advance.
  16. Plan for events by working collaboratively with and providing advice and guidance for users of Clarice Smith Center venues throughout the planning and execution of productions.
  17. Ensure adherence to established policies and procedures to ensure successful productions.

Required Qualifications:

  • Candidate must be personable, dependable and willing to take initiative.
  • Excellent organization and communication skills, with an emphasis on accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Ability to work on multiple projects at once and adhere to deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and follow complex written and oral instructions, even during busy times.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in Scenic Production for Theatre, Opera, and Dance.
  • Knowledge of current practices and procedures in professional performing arts scenic shops.
  • Familiarity with current performing arts equipment and technologies.
  • Excellent communication, organization and management skills.
  • Advanced skills in at least one of the following areas: scenic fabrication, furniture construction and upholstery, scenic painting, rigging, scenic automation or carving/sculpting.
  • Skills in basic scenic carpentry.
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Ability to read and interpret technical plates and renderings.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Performing arts experience.
  • Interest in learning about the administration and management of a Scene Shop.
  • Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
  • Bachelor’s degree in performing arts or related field.
  • Experience supervising scenic shop crews.
  • Experience in a complex performing arts setting preferred.
  • Experience working in an educational environment and/or teaching.
  • Experience and knowledge of firearms and other weapons.
  • Advanced skills in the repair and refinishing of furniture.
  • Experience and ability to mold and cast.

Decision Making:

The Graduate Assistant must exercise good judgment, deal effectively with time pressures, changing or conflicting priorities and be able to anticipate, avoid or effectively dissipate problem situations.

Authority:

The Graduate Assistant has the authority to: schedule and train event staff, discipline and supervise student employees, plan and coordinate cost aspects of an event or performance; negotiate with a presenter, performer or organization to ensure the highest quality of performance.

Communications:

The Graduate Assistant must possess excellent interpersonal skills, and must have outstanding oral and written communication abilities. The Graduate Assistant should practice open communication with other staff across departmental lines. The Graduate Assistant should provide technical information to non-technical constituency in a clear and understandable format.

Conduct:

As a member of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center team, it is necessary that the Graduate Assistant project a consistently positive image to the campus, community and constituents, create and maintain a productive environment where people strive for quality service that is supportive and empowering of constituents and staff, foster a commitment to achieving both The Clarice and University goals, conduct themselves in a professional manner as a representative of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, and promote the highest standards of academic, personal and professional integrity.

Policies:

A Graduate Assistant is on an academic appointment not involving academic tenure. The appointment is part time (10 hours per week). GAs holding regular 10-hour appointments are considered full-time students by the University if they are registered for at least 24 units.

The Clarice determines the GA’s assignment, supervises their work and recommends them for reappointment and promotion to various stipend or compensations levels. Graduate Assistants are under the supervision of the heads of the academic or non-academic units in which they work. A Graduate Assistant must be a registered graduate student in good standing enrolled in a degree program at the University of Maryland, College Park and must be making satisfactory progress toward the degree.

The academic-year appointment begins in mid-August and ends in May. Students may be reappointed one or more times at the discretion of the department in which they serve. Reappointment is dependent upon satisfactory performance and normal progress toward a graduate degree. As with all university faculty and staff positions, appointment and reappointment are contingent upon the availability of funds. A Graduate Assistant’s appointment may be terminated before the expiration of its designated term for loss of funding, for cause, for academic delinquency, by written notice, and by voluntary mutual agreement.

All Graduate Assistants will be reviewed using the same Performance Review and Development Process for fulltime staff at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. For more details, please refer to the Graduate School Assistantship Policies: https://academiccatalog.umd.edu/graduate/policies/policies-graduate-assi...

TO APPLY

Submit resume to Michael Driggers at driggers@umd.edu.

Type of opportunity: 
Student
Department: 
Production
Student status: 
Graduate
Best Consideration Date: 
Wednesday, May 1, 2024

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.