Technical Theater Assistant

Description

Reporting to the Technical Director with oversight from the Director of Creative Arts the Technical Theater Assistant provides hands-on scenic and physical theater support for productions in the Schools auditoriums. This role supports the Technical Director in creative design build and show implementation while helping maintain a safe well-run scene shop and mentoring students in technical theater skills. This is a 12-month non-exempt variable-hour position averaging approximately 15 hours per week. Hours fluctuate with the production calendar.

Primary Responsibilities

Scenic & Physical Theater Support

• Lead and support scenic construction helping move productions from design through build.

• Assist with set building props painting and costumes; provide general physical theater support during production and tech periods.

• Take on additional responsibilities during build weeks tech weeks and performance runs in coordination with the Technical Director.

• Nice to have: comfort supporting basic AV needs and assisting the Technical Director with light hangs and focus calls working under TD direction rather than independently.

Shop Safety & Organization

• Maintain a clean organized and safe scene shop including tools and materials.

• Follow strong safety practices in all shop and backstage work.

Student Mentorship

• Supervise and support students working in technical theater roles in a shop/backstage environment.

Schedule & Flexibility

• Hours average approximately 15 per week and flex with the production calendar heavier during build and tech weeks lighter during quieter stretches.

• Work with the Technical Director to establish a consistent weekly schedule (e.g. regular build days) while remaining flexible as show demands shift.

Background Experience and Skills

Required

• Experience in technical theater scenic construction or a related stagecraft field.

• Comfortable mentoring and supervising high school students in a shop/backstage environment.

• Strong safety awareness and ability to maintain an organized workspace.

• Collaborative working style and clear communication with the Technical Director and production team.

• Ability to safely operate shop tools and lift and move production materials.

Working Conditions

• Hours are variable and may include evenings and weekends during build and tech weeks.

• Physical requirements include lifting and moving production materials as well as sustained work on your feet in the shop and backstage.

• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines across multiple productions simultaneously.

To be considered for this position please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience through our application portal.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest and will reach out only to those most closely aligned with the positions needs.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About us:

Menlo School is an independent coeducational college-preparatory school for students in grades six through twelve. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley and founded in 1915 the School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National and California Associations of Independent Schools.

Menlo is dedicated to providing a joyful transformative education that empowers students to explore broadly think critically act responsibly and navigate the complexities of an evolving world. Our relevant and engaging academic programcomplemented by outstanding arts and athleticssparks wonder fosters a love of learning and inspires students to reach their full potential as they grow in competence confidence and curiosity. Student care and the supportive relationships students build with teachers coaches and peers are at the heart of all we do as we uphold the highest ethical standards develop character and pursue a shared commitment to purposes larger than ourselves.

At Menlo belonging is essential to who we are as a school. We embrace the growth and well-being of every member of our community by cultivating a culture rooted in kindness trust and belongingone where everyone feels welcomed included and valued and where our diverse backgrounds identities and ideas are honored with curiosity care and compassion.

Learn more about the Menlo School here.

Our equal opportunity employment policy:

Menlo School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. We administer all personnel practices without regard to race color religion sex age national origin sexual orientation gender identity or expression marital status or domestic partnership status disability protected veteran status or military status genetic information or any other category protected under applicable law.

Pay range:

In the spirit of pay transparency we share the base salary range for this position. The full pay range which encompasses all experience levels is $30 to $45 per hour. Within this broad range we pay each employee in accordance with what is reasonably expected given an individuals experience level. Base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits employer contributions to retirement plans and potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at Menlo are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at Menlo School your final base salary will be determined by factors such as skills education experience job level part-time status and the number of months worked per academic addition to those factors we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please note that the generous range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the top of the range is not typical at Menlo School to allow for future and continued salary growth.

Notice to recruitment agencies and thirdparty recruiters: Menlo School does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from external recruiters or recruitment agencies. Any resumes submitted without a prior signed written agreement in place with Human Resources will be deemed the property of the School and no fees will be paid.

JOB ID: 396