The Cornish Playhouse has an opening for a Head Carpenter in our Seattle Center location. The Head Carpenter is responsible for the operational aspects of the Mainstage production including scenery, props and crew. This position will also be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the productions, shows, and events as they relate to scenery, props and the running of the show on the stage deck. This is a full-time, academic year staff position, typically September – May. This position is represented by the collective bargaining agreement between IATSE Local #15 and Cornish College of the Arts.

The mission of Cornish is to provide students aspiring to become practicing artists with an educational program of the highest possible quality, in an environment that nurtures creativity and intellectual curiosity, while preparing them to contribute to society as artists, citizens, and innovators. Cornish realizes this mission by offering baccalaureate studies in the performing and visual arts and by serving as a focal point in the community for public presentation, artistic criticism, participation and discussion of the arts.

Responsibilities

• Works with Cornish productions and client set designers, production managers, technical directors, head carpenters and CSES Technical Supervisor in:
•    Generating labor estimates and schedules.
•    Ensuring safe and timely load in of all shows and events.
•    Assist the students and clients in stage, scenic, rigging, and carpentry equipment choices. Assists other departments when appropriate with their technical equipment choices.
• Maintains and organizes loading dock shop area and tool rooms.
• Collaborates with the Technical Supervisor and to build and manage standards in the theaters and work rooms.
• Attends production meetings when required on Cornish and incoming shows.
• Acts as general Crew Chief for all IATSE Crews for all events and incoming shows. Will work with staff departments in determining crew chief duties as assigned depending on the work of the day.
• Maintains accurate inventory records, as well as tracking schedule for rental clients and College/Cornish Playhouse in-house uses.
• Helps the Technical Supervisor maintain a safe work environment.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5 years minimum experience working in a professional theater
• 3 years minimum experience rigging and running of counterweight fly systems.
• Must be able to work well with students (and Faculty/staff) as part of the educational process. as they are learning.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population and a variety of constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to work with professional production teams, performers, and theater staff.
• Experience with PC and Mac; working knowledge of Microsoft Office, proficient in Excel.
• Comfortable working above the stage floor either on a grid or catwalks.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing
• Strong organizational skills; proven ability to effectively manage multiple priorities
• Ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly and sometimes excessively over a workday
• Candidates should exhibit skills in general stage scenery construction.
• Experience with Aerial work platforms.
• Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays.
• Must pass background check

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years Supervisory experience in a union theater.
• Experience with drafting programs (Vectorworks/AutoCAD)
• Experience with GMA welding.

Department:  Creative Spaces and Event Services (CSES)
Reports To:    CSES Technical Supervisor
Supervises:    Swings, Staff Assistants and Overhire staff
Pay Grade:      $27.74/hour
Guarantee:    40 hours/week, 36 weeks min. In addition with summer hours as needed to support summer classes and shows.
FLSA Status:  Non-exempt

Application Procedures

Please submit the following items to our email, Careers@Cornish.edu:

1) Cover Letter or Letter of Interest

2) Resume or C.V.

3) Cornish Employment Application Form

Equal Opportunity Statement

Cornish commits to demonstrating respect for individual expression and integrity; to promoting the equality of opportunity and rights of all persons within the community and to actively encouraging and maintaining the representation and inclusion of diverse cultures and backgrounds within the student body, faculty, staff and curricula.

We believe that diversity refers to a number of human qualities and characteristics. National origin, race, gender, age, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation and disabilities are characteristics that combine in unique ways, forming the multiple identities we all hold. Those diverse characteristics contribute positively to the environment of Cornish and to an education that accurately reflects and contributes to the complex interplay of art, culture and society.

We hold ourselves responsible to fulfill the mission of Cornish by preparing students “to contribute to society as artists, citizens, and innovators,” and believe that the mission is best served by actively cultivating a positive environment and community in which to explore and express the diverse perspectives of a pluralistic society.

Cornish College of the Arts is an equal opportunity employer intent on enriching the diversity of its faculty, staff, and students. Our goal is to create an intercultural learning environment and community comprised of people with varied experiences and perspectives. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups for all open positions.