Job Details

Join the Backstage Magic! OSF Is Hiring a Carpenter (I or II, Depending on Experience)
Location: Ashland, OR | Department: Scene Shop | Status: Full-Time, Seasonal (Aug 2025 to Aug 2026)

Are you someone who brings creativity, precision, and passion to every build? Do you love working with your hands in a dynamic, collaborative, and mission-driven environment? Whether you're starting your professional journey or bringing seasoned skills to the table, we'd love to work with you.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is looking for a Carpenter to join our Scene Shop team. This role may be filled at either the Carpenter I or Carpenter II level depending on experience-so if you've got a background in scenic construction and a love for the arts, read on!

The Role You'll Play

As a Carpenter at OSF, you'll help bring extraordinary theatrical worlds to life-constructing scenery, transporting and installing scenic elements, and ensuring everything from rehearsal scenery to final stage builds is safe, strong, and spectacular.

Working both independently and in close collaboration with other technicians, artisans, and designers, you'll contribute to world-class productions while supporting a workplace culture built on inclusion, respect, and creativity.

What You'll Do

• Build and Fabricate: Create scenic elements using wood, metal, foam, and fabric-everything from platforms and flats to trim detail, sculpting, rigging, and even some sewing.
• Support Productions: Load in, fine-tune, maintain, and strike scenery across multiple venues and performance runs.
• Ensure Safety & Quality: Keep a clean, efficient, and safe workspace; maintain inventory and tools; follow all shop and safety protocols.
• Collaborate & Communicate: Participate in department meetings, safety trainings, and cross-team coordination. Mentor fellow carpenters as needed.
• Represent OSF: Engage with patrons, support events, and contribute to our vibrant artistic community.

You'll Thrive Here If You...

• Have professional experience in scenic construction (2+ years preferred; experience in a theatrical or related setting is ideal).
• Possess basic to advanced skills in woodworking, welding, rigging, scenic sculpting, or automation.
• Are confident using power tools, reading CAD drawings, doing shop math, and loading materials safely.
• Are physically able to lift 75 lbs, work from ladders or personnel lifts, and be on your feet for long stretches.
• Work well in high-energy, detail-oriented environments and take pride in doing great work as part of a team.
• Believe in the values of inclusion, equity, and respect-and help foster a culture where everyone feels welcome.

Level & Pay

• Position Level: Determined based on experience (Carpenter I or Carpenter II).
• Hourly Pay Range: $24.91 - $27.25/hour, depending on qualifications.
• Union: This is a union-represented position (IATSE Local 154).

Organizational Background

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) was founded in 1935 in Ashland, OR, and has grown from a three-day festival of two plays to a nationally renowned theatre arts organization that presents a rotating repertory season of up to 10 plays and musicals, including illuminating interpretations of Shakespeare, other enduring classics, and new works. OSF productions have been presented on Broadway, internationally, and at regional, community, and high school theatres across the country. OSF received the 1983 Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is one of the largest nonprofit theatres in the nation with three stages, including an outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre.

Statement of Purpose

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival creates world-class theatre, revealing our collective humanity through illuminating interpretations of new and classic plays, and inspiring a love of our art form for current and future generations.

Company Values

• We are committed to working toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, creating a space of belonging for all audiences and employees-through concrete actions and systemic improvements.
• We nurture and support our artists, attracting and retaining diverse, innovative talent across the organization.
• We believe in the transformational power of collaborative artmaking and performance.
• We recognize the importance of responsible stewardship of resources and sustainable business, financial, and environmental practices.
• We serve the public good and engage with and respect our community of artists, audiences, staff, local citizens, patrons, donors, and the greater theatre community worldwide.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.