Teaching artists, directors, designers, technicians, stage management, hospitality, and crew
The Shakespeare Festival’s productions and educational programs employ over 100 actors, artists, teachers, directors, designers, managers, technicians, interns, and crew on a full-time, part-time or temporary basis each year. Some staff positions are needed year-round and some, such as teaching artists for our school-year programs and Shakespeare Camps or technical staff for Free Shakespeare in the Park, are seasonal. We also offer production and administrative internships. We regret that we are not able to provide housing to out-of-town contractors.
Following is a list of positions we are currently seeking:
Currently seeking to employ artists on an intermittent basis throughout the year. Click job title below for more info and how to apply.
SF Shakes is currently in the process of choosing local directors and assistant directors for our 2024 (and beyond) projects that include Free Shakespeare in the Park, staged readings and Shakespeare on Tour.
We approach this process as a committee comprised of various members of the SF Shakes team. This year’s open process is a little different. Please prepare a cover letter with the following questions and notes in mind.
We are looking for directors interested in building a potential multi-year creative partnership.
APPLY: If you are interested, please fill out this Director Open Call form by Friday, July 7th.
For more details, please check out the Director Fact Sheet, which is also linked within the submission form.
QUESTIONS: Email Artistic Director Carla Pantoja at cpantoja@sfshakes.org.
Free Shakes employs around 40 full and part-time seasonal actors, directors, designers, managers, technicians, and interns. Most positions will be posted here in February, with hiring completed by late April. Pre-production begins in May, rehearsals begin in June, and performances run July through September. Click job title below for more info and how to apply. To audition for the Free Shakes cast, see the Auditions page. To apply for Free Shakes internships, see our Internships page.
The Move Crew assists with the transfer of our Free Shakespeare in the Park production between 4 venues throughout the Bay Area over the course of summer 2023.
DATES:
Thursday July 13 – Monday July 17 -Move from SF Shakes’ shop in SF to Cupertino
Monday August 7 – Thursday August 10 -Move from Cupertino to Redwood City
Monday August 28-Thursday August 31- Move from Redwood City to SF McLaren Park
Monday September 11 – Thursday September 14 – Move from SF Mclaren park to Bruns Amphitheater Orinda
Monday September 25- Tuesday September 26 – Move from McLaren Park to SF Shakes’ shop
PAY: $18-$20/hr (depending on experience)
APPLY: Email Technical Director Neal Ormond at normond@sfshakes.org. and Production manager Pratiksha Shah at pshah@sfshakes.org
The AEA Stage Manager manages the rehearsal and performance process within the rules set by the AEA for LORT-D LOA. This position is a member of the production team dedicated to making the production run smoothly and efficiently with the resources provided.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to :
DATES: June 20 – Sept 10 (+ possible extension of 3 weeks)
PAY: As per the LORT-D LOA contract
APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to Production Manager Pratiksha Shah, pshah@sfshakes.org
The Costume Designer is responsible for working with the Director team and production to create looks for up to 12 actors including understudies playing 20+ characters. The Costume Designer is encouraged to pull from stock as much as possible, and therefore should be local to the Bay Area and able to travel in person to the costume storage area (all Covid safety protocols will be observed on site.)
The Costume Designer’s responsibilities include but are not limited to :
DATES: March – July 2023 with rehearsals June – July
DESIGN FEE: $2,000
COSTUME BUDGET: $2000, assuming costumes primarily pulled from stock or rented from actors’ wardrobes.
APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to Production Manager Pratiksha Shah, pshah@sfshakes.org
The Prop Designer works very closely with the director team to make the vision of the director come to life. The Prop Designer needs to pull most of the props from SF Shakes’ large prop inventory.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
DATES: March – July 2023 with rehearsals June – July.
DESIGN FEE: $2000
PROP BUDGET: $1000, assuming props primarily pulled from stock
APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to Production Manager Pratiksha Shah, pshah@sfshakes.org
The Master Carpenter assists with construction of the Free Shakes in the Park set.
DATES: Build: May-June, 2023. Moves: July-September.
PAY: $20/hr – $25/hr depending on level of experience
APPLY: Email Technical Director Neal Ormond at normond@sfshakes.org.
The CCO will provide support in an in-person production setting environment assisting with the development of the production’s COVID-19 safety plan (in compliance with applicable AEA guidance documents as well as applicable local, region, and federal health orders) and to verify the production’s compliance with that plan.
The scope of support includes, but is not limited to:
DATES: May 31, 2023 – Sept 16, 2023 (+ possible extension of 3 weeks)
PAY: $18/hr to $20/hr depending on level of experience.
APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to Production Manager Pratiksha Shah, pshah@sfshakes.org
The Hospitality Manager manages the front-of-house experience in the park, and should be ready to train in COVID protocols, concessions, audience surveys, volunteers, programs, and signage. They should have strong customer service experience and enjoy interacting with the public. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion training is desirable. They should be detail-oriented, a problem-solver, and comfortable with mentoring staff and volunteers of all ages.
Hospitality Manager responsibilities include but are not limited to:
DATES: July 2023 – Sept 16, 2023 (+ possible extension of 3 weeks)
PAY: $18/hr to $20/hr depending on level of experience.
APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to Production Manager Pratiksha Shah, pshah@sfshakes.org
The Sound Technicians set up the sound system before every performance, check all speakers, monitors, and microphones, mix mics throughout the performance, and trouble-shoot any sound problems. They should have strong experience with wireless sound systems, preferably in an outdoor setting. They should be able to lift heavy equipment, and should be very detail-oriented and creative problem-solvers. They may manage a small team of interns.
Sound technician responsibilities include but are not limited to :
DATES: June/July 2023 – Sept 16, 2023 (+ possible extension of 3 weeks)
PAY: $18/hr to $20/hr depending on level of experience.
APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to Production Manager Pratiksha Shah, pshah@sfshakes.org
The Wardrobe Supervisor works closely with the Costume Designer and Director team to make the vision of the Costume Designer into reality. The Wardrobe Supervisor is directly responsible to the Production Manager.
Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
DATES: May 2023 – Sept 16 2023 (+ possible extension of 3 weeks)
PAY: $18/hr to $20/hr depending on level of experience
APPLY: Email resume and cover letter to Production Manager Pratiksha Shah, pshah@sfshakes.org
Our Residencies, Playshops, and other education programs take place in schools around the Bay Area and employ teaching artists on an intermittent basis throughout the year. Click job title below for more info and how to apply.
Shakespeare Camps employ full and part-time seasonal teaching artists, assistants, and interns. Openings will be posted here in the spring, with hiring completed by late May. Camp sessions run from June through August. Click job title below for more info and how to apply. To apply for Education internships, see out Internships page.
Shakespeare On Tour employs full and part-time seasonal actors, directors, and managers. Openings will be posted here late summer, with hiring happening by early fall. Click job title below for more info and how to apply. To audition for the Shakespeare On Tour cast, see the Auditions page.
If you are interested in other employment with the SF Shakes, send a cover letter and a copy of your resume to one of the following at:
Administrative, Office Support, Volunteers
Toby Leavitt, Executive Director: tleavitt@sfshakes.org
Actors, Directors
Carla Pantoja, Artistic Director: cpantoja@sfshakes.org
Stage Managers, Designers, Technicians (wardrobe, sound, props)
Pratiksha Shah, Production Manager: pshah@sfshakes.org
Interns and apprentices
internships@sfshakes.org
Teaching Artists, Education Interns
educationleadership@sfshakes.org
SAN FRANCISCO SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
PO Box 46093
San Francisco, CA 94146-0937
Stay Informed:
© 2023 San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, a 501c3 non-profit organization.