Electrician

TITLE: Electrician

STATUS: Seasonal

LOCATION: Becket, MA

REPORTS TO: Production Manager of assigned venue

DEPARTMENT: Production

SUPERVISES: -

WORKS WITH: Artistic Programming; Archives and Preservation; The School at Jacob’s Pillow; Marketing and Patron Services; Finance and Operations; Video Documentation Team; Facilities, Safety and Security; Visiting Companies Staff and Artists

ARRIVAL: May 11, 2026

START: May 12, 2026

END/DEPARTURE: End and departure days will vary depending on venue

Ted Shawn Theatre: August 30/August 31

Doris Duke Theatre: August 28/August 29

COMPENSATION: $23.58-26.00/hr; Time and a half after 48 hours

SCHEDULE: May: 5 day work week 

June–September: 6 day work week

BENEFITS (ON-SITE ONLY):  Three meals a day, free access to classes, performances, talks, and studio usage. 

During the Festival there are two Electrician positions, one for each of the Pillow’s indoor performance venues: the Ted Shawn Theatre (TST) and the Doris Duke Theatre (DDT). Candidates will be interviewed for both positions and will be assigned to a venue when hired. 

Built in 1942 as the first theater in America designed specifically for dance, the TST is a proscenium venue with motorized linesets that seats 620 patrons. The TST is programmed for 11 weeks of the season with an opening gala performance followed by productions by 1 company a week. The DDT is a modular wood box with flexible retractable seating, extensive catwalks, and robust technical infrastructure. The DDT is programmed for 7 weeks of the season with productions by 1 company a week. The typical TST and DDT performance schedule is 6 shows from Wednesday through Sunday. 

Electricians are members of the TST or DDT production team and report to that theater’s Production Manager. Their primary responsibility is supporting the installation, maintenance, and operation of lighting and electrical elements of Festival programming in their assigned venue. During the Festival they work closely and collaboratively with the Production Managers, Head Electricians and staff of visiting companies as a member of the run crew for load-in, rehearsals, and performances. The Electrician programs and operates the lighting console in the absence of company lighting staff. They also assist the Head Electrician in coordinating show specific requirements that require adjustments to repertory light plots. They assist the Production Managers and the Lighting Supervisor with the organization and maintenance of their venue’s lighting infrastructure, storage areas, and equipment.While the Electrician’s primary focus will be supporting the lighting elements of productions in their assigned theater they will assist other production departments and other venues as needed and assigned by the Production Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Participate in the creation of an accessible and collaborative work environment that enables artists and technicians to create together positively and safely.  
• Join advancing and show specific production meetings as needed. 
• Assist in the installation of lighting systems into all performance spaces, studios, exhibition spaces and temporary tents. 
• Support lighting activity during load-ins, load-outs, work calls, focuses, notes sessions, staging and technical rehearsals, performances, and changeovers.
• Program and operate the lighting console during focuses, technical rehearsals, and performances in the absence of company lighting staff.
• Assist visiting companies’ lighting staff in the programming and operation of the lighting console. 
• Ensure show files are organized and saved for archiving purposes.
• Assist the Assistant Production Managers in planning and facilitating gel swaps and other backstage lighting needs.
• Assist the Head Electricians in daily and show-specific checks, maintenance, and set-up.
• Lead company load-ins, focuses, and changeovers with the assistance of the Lighting Supervisor or Assistant Lighting Supervisor. 
• Along with the Head Electrician, act as the lighting point of contact for visiting companies during their time on campus.
• Remain in communication with Production Managers and the Lighting Supervisor and alert them to any unexpected show-specific requirements as well as any equipment or system safety concerns.
• Maintain clean and orderly lighting workspaces, backstage equipment, and storage areas.
• Assist the Festival Electrician in the installation of lighting systems and equipment for non theater based programming.
• Provide support to the Video Documentation Team in recording programming.
• Support the installation of work and equipment into exhibition spaces.
• Support the activation of weather plans for HJL and other outdoor programming.
• Attend all organizational, departmental and production meetings including a weekly All-Staff Meeting.
• Under the general direction of the DoTP, assist with coordination of emergency response for staff and patrons in the event of an emergency or extreme weather.
• Complete Adult/Child CPR, First Aid, and Cultural Competence Training (provided to all seasonal staff during the pre-season)
• Assist and support other departments, including non-production departments, as needed and assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• 2+ years of professional theatrical electrician experience. 
• Knowledge of and experience with theatrical lighting systems, equipment and standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge and experience with the EOS family of lighting consoles and their programming language.
• Knowledge of production-related health and safety best practices.
• Knowledge and experience with Google App suite and Vectorworks suite of software.
• Knowledge of DMX, Ethernet, and wireless theatrical networks.
• Willingness to learn.
• Ability to work proactively, creatively, flexibly, kindly, safely, and collaboratively.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and experience in dance production.
• Knowledge of theatrical rigging best practices, systems, and safety.
• Experience working outdoors or in non-traditional venues.
• Knowledge of the Vectorworks suite of software.
• Experience with GrandMA, High-End Systems, or CamSys programming software.
• Experience working on productions that incorporate robotics, motion capture technologies and extended reality technologies such as augmented reality or virtual reality.
• Familiarity with Augmented 3D software.
• Experience driving cargo vans and box trucks.
• Valid driver’s license.

SKILLS & QUALITIES

• Active commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to read and interpret video plots and paperwork, stage plans, and related technical documents.
• Demonstrated ability to conceive, strategize, manage, and prioritize between multiple projects with accuracy and attention to detail.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Working in wooded areas with exposure to native wildlife including, but not limited to, rodents, ticks, and mosquitos.
• Working outdoors in all weather conditions including inclement weather. 
• Working 6-day work weeks including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends during Festival weeks and non-Festival programming.
• Moving equipment up to 50 lbs alone or with assistance.
• Moving through and between multiple locations throughout the entire campus.
• Remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Working at heights above 6 feet and up to 30 feet.
• Ascending and descending straight and step ladders.
• Operating push around or drivable person lifts including at heights.
• Working in show conditions with theatrical and atmospheric elements including but not limited to: fog, haze, strobes, dim lights, and loud sounds.

APPLICATION PROCESS

*We believe that no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications. We are less concerned about whether you’ve done everything on a laundry list of specific things and more interested in cultivating a pool of candidates who want to join a connected, mission-driven, hard-working team driven by creativity, curiosity, inclusion, integrity, flexibility, and partnership.

HIRING PROCESS

1. Apply: Interested individuals are encouraged to send a cover letter, resume, and references by submitting an application using the “Apply” buttons below. Video and/or video applications are welcome (though not required) in addition to written expressions of interest.
2. Interview: Pre-Screen on Zoom, 1-2  interviews with Hiring Manager and other JP staff on Zoom.
3. Supplemental Materials: A writing sample, spreadsheet example, or other relevant materials may be requested from candidates should they be a top candidate. 

If you need accommodations to make this application process happen, please connect with us at hr@jacobspillow.org.. We will work to support you through the application process via email, phone call, and/or video chat.