St. Paul Academy and Summit School is looking to hire a Scenic Designer for its Middle and Upper School Theater Programs. This is a contractor position and the individual will work side by side with our Master Carpenter and the Directors of the Middle and Upper School Theater productions.

Applicants should possess the following skills:

• Creativity

• Ability to collaborate with directors, designer and builders

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to efficiently and effectively design, build and paint scenery for theatrical productions

• Knowledge of rigging for fly systems

• Patience and the ability to work with student crews (ages 11-18) to instruct them in skills of scenery construction and painting.

• A positive attitude

• Prop fabrication skills, a plus

St. Paul Academy and Summit School mounts 4 major productions a year, an evening of one-acts and a spring showcase each year in the Huss Center for the Performing Arts. The Huss Center is a seven-year-old state-of-the-art performing arts center complete with a scene shop, 650 seat theater and a counter balance fly system. The Middle School Fall Play performs in late October, the Upper School Fall Play performs in mid-November, the Upper School One-Acts are late January, the Middle School Musical is early March, the Upper School Musical is mid-May and the MS Showcase is late May.

The Scenic Designer would be in charge of:

• Designing scenery for all 4 major productions throughout the year as well as the Upper School Competition One-Act

• Providing the director with floor plans and detailed sketches of their designs • Create and execute a build schedule in collaboration with the Master Carpenter for each production including strike

• Provide detailed building plans for the Master Carpenter

• Keep track of the materials and labor budget for each production

• Create and submit lumber/materials order

• Submit receipts/invoices

A typical build for the fall plays is 5-7 weeks and 6-8 weeks for the musicals with an average of 15-20 hours a week. The pay rate is $30 per hour. The work hours are decided upon by the designers/builders. Many of the build hours happen on weekends during the day and after school/evenings during the week. Payment is done hourly per show. St. Paul Academy and Summit School is committed to diversity and equal opportunity.

This position will begin December 2022/January 2023.

If you have any questions or are interested in applying for the position, please send a cover letter/letter of interest and resume to Eric Severson, Director of the Upper School Theater Program at eseverson@spa.edu or Ed Williams, Director of Middle School Drama at ewilliams@spa.edu.