Properties Manager

DEPARTMENT: Production

POSITION: Properties Manager

REPORTS TO: Director of Production

JOB TYPE: Full Time, Exempt

START DATE: ASAP

SALARY RANGE: $60,000-65,000

 

ABOUT:

The Rep is the St. Louis region’s most honored live professional theatre company. Founded in 1966, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre.

 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR STATEMENT 

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is committed to elevating and celebrating our shared humanity through transformational live theatre and programs that cultivate community.  The Rep is going through a significant season of evolution. This is a moment of intentional internal evaluation, expansion and reinvestment in the creation, access, and impact of our work.  We believe in dynamic, welcoming, bold, innovative art with exceptional production quality and craftsmanship. We believe diversity is a value in every sector of our theatre and center the idea of life-long learning off and on the stage. There has never been a better time to join The Rep family.  We are looking for a Properties Manager that embraces these values and seeks to be a thought-leading voice as we build strong, sustainable, equitable processes to support exceptional artistry. I believe in the fundamental power of our artform to transform lives and community.  As Artistic Director, I welcome you to bring the whole of your ingenuity, your dreams, and your talents to the theatre.  Let’s craft the future of the American Theatre together.

-Hana S. Sharif

 

MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES

Mission: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis creates bridges between people in the St Louis region and beyond through expertly crafted theatrical experiences that are joyful, unique, inspiring, and thought-provoking.

Vision: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will be a welcoming home where a full spectrum of artists and audiences courageously engage with one another and expand their appreciation and understanding of the world.

Values: Collective Excellence, Equity and Anti-Racism, Resource Stewardship for Sustainability and Growth, Life-Long Learning

 

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director of Production, the Properties Manager serves as a key member of The Repertory Theatre St. Louis (LORT B) Production Department. Seeking an experienced, motivated individual to oversee The Properties Department. This position works in a fast-paced and detail-critical environment, working closely with designers, technicians and artisans and is responsible for the production, creation, procurement and refurbishment of stage props for productions at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. The strongest candidate is an artist and technician committed to the artistic mission, vision and values of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.

The Repertory Theatre St. Louis is committed to creating a culturally diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

PRODUCTION AND DESIGNER COMMUNICATION

  • Provide and promote the flow of clear communication between Guest Artists, Designers, and the Rep STL’s various departments and personnel within them to ensure successful integration of a show’s technical elements.
  • Work with the Creative Team and Director of Production to manage and maximize the artistic impact of financial resources by evaluating properties design to determine show needs and cost estimates for materials, labor, rentals, and outsourcing.
  • Acts as the liaison between Stage Management and Scenic stakeholders including scheduling warehouse and sourcing visits, responding to rehearsal requests, and following through on production notes.
  • Attend all design presentations, meetings, rehearsals and run-throughs as designated by the Director of Production. 

PERSONNEL AND BUDGET OVERSIGHT

  • Supervise and manage assigned budgets for property materials and labor. Keep all financial records up to date, discuss with Director of Production any possible overages, and ensure each production's needs are met and executed within the budgetary parameters while maintaining quality.
  • Recruit, hire, train and orient properties staff and designers to properties shop procedures and protocols.
  • Foster the development of the properties team with formal reviews, periodic feedback, and training opportunities.
  • Maintain and promote a safe work environment by following and enforcing all safety regulations, providing safety equipment, and advising on safety related policy and decisions.
  • Ensure that the properties shop work environments, warehouses, and all other workspaces and activities under the properties departments purview are inclusive, and respectful for performers, designers, and staff. Maintain discretion and diplomacy in all activities to ensure that individuals feel supported and safe.

ARTISAN DUTIES

  • Construction, painting, acquiring, and finishing of all properties as needed, including hand props, paper goods, furniture, furnishings and set decorations for all productions.
  • Repair, upholstering, and refinishing of all properties.
  • Pulling of properties from stock.
  • Plan and supervise the construction, load-in, set dressing, tech, run and strike of all productions.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • In coordination with the Properties Assistant, project and track expenses for each production.
  • Work closely with the Director of Production to identify potential Properties Department improvements, both long and short term.
  • Ensure all relevant show files are up to date and maintained throughout the season.
  • Organize and prepare information for daily properties shop operations.
  • Collaborate with Shopper/Buyer to ensure materials are purchased in a timely and resource efficient manner.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Demonstrated professional experience in non-profit regional theatre, LORT theatre in a properties department; or a combination of equivalent experience and training.
  • Commitment to creating and maintaining an equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist environment that values diversity and centers excellence.
  • Experience in preparing budgets, labor estimates, build calendars, and staffing schedules.
  • Successful candidates will be adept at managing competing priorities, navigating emergent challenges, and proactively identifying and mitigating risk.
  • Strong project management skills that demonstrate the ability to deliver complex, multilateral productions.
  • Ability to work independently, exercising judgment and discretion, while demonstrating initiative in the performance of all job duties allowing employees to work on their own and make decisions.
  • Strong knowledge of sewing, upholstery, painting, finishes, crafts, special FX and set dressing.
  • Ability to safely use hand and power tools, proficiency in light carpentry and furniture repair.
  • Experience with standard shop tools/equipment.
  • Knowledge of prop materials and techniques to effectively create props.
  • Knowledge of periods and styles to ensure props are appropriate to production.
  • Knowledge of theater history to assist in design of appropriate props.
  • Ability to conduct research to facilitate the development of high-quality props in a timely and economical manner.
  • Knowledge of the theatrical process in order to effectively integrate prop design and development into the staging process.
  • Ability to exercise professional diplomacy in personnel and design management.
  • Ability to understand other theater departments and the relationship of the properties department to them.
  • A good design sense or good taste to monitor the implied theater aesthetic, including superior quality, when working with designers.
  • Ability to delegate and to have confidence in direct reports
  • Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in oral and written communication on an interpersonal or group level.
  • With advanced notice, ability to work a flexible schedule including morning, evening, and weekend hours.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Ability to work nights and weekends as required by production schedule.
  • Possess a valid U.S drivers license with good driving record and the ability to operate large box trucks.
  • Physical requirements include: lift 40 pounds with assistance, working with your hands for long periods of time (up to entire shift), climbing stairs/ladders, operating hand/power tools, and close/color vision/discern fine detail.
     

TO APPLY:

Candidates should fill out the form below.