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Head Scenic CarpenterexpiredDes Moines Metro Opera
United States, Iowa, Indianola |
Description:DESCRIPTIONSummary Des Moines Metro Opera is a major summer opera festival located in Indianola, Iowa. The company produces productions each season in a summer repertory schedule, presented within the intimate 467-seat theatre at the Blank Performing Arts Center. Our 54th season includes three new productions: Puccini’s Tosca, Floyd’s Of Mice and Menand Szymanowski’s King Roger. Des Moines Metro Opera is seeking to add the position of Head Scenic Carpenter to our full-time, year-round production team in Indianola, Iowa. This position is a recent addition to the organization and will primarily lead the company in all scenic-building and scenic installations for the festival. This position will be part of the advanced planning process for the festival and will participate in the hiring of the festival production staff. Working year-round this position will build, maintain, repair, and improve the scenery, warehouse and shop spaces. The Head Scenic Carpenter will be critical for the smooth install of all scenery & fly goods at the Blank Performing Arts Center and is not expected to run the shows or expected to participate in repertory changes. If a candidate is interested in filling a festival position, that is certainly open for discussion. This position will work closely with the festival head stage carpenter and head fly operator as well as the festival associate technical directors and will work year-round with the director of production as well as the assistant scenic carpenter and head scenic artist. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Des Moines Metro Opera celebrates diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, political affiliation or philosophy. If you are concerned that you don’t meet every requirement listed below, we still encourage you to still apply. You may have the skills and experience that compliment others in the department and you could be the perfect addition to our team! We are open to adjustments to best fit people that are interested in being a part of Des Moines Metro Opera! Engagement & Compensation Ideally starting in November 2025, this is an on-site position with no ability to remote-work. This position is full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt, continuing, hourly position, paid bi-weekly as part of our regular employee pay structure. All overtime is paid at 1.5x the hourly rate for the employee. A generous health benefit package is included, as well as paid time off as per the employee handbook. The hourly rate for this position will range between $24/hour to $29/hour ($50,000—$60,000/year + overtime) Candidates can expect a regular 40-hour work week, with overtime in addition for festival operations in the summer months. Work Environment Des Moines Metro Opera owns the scenic shop, warehouses and administration buildings. The performance space is located on the campus of Simpson College. The nature of this position requires candidates to be able to move around a scenic shop and theater space safely. This position will require the candidate to work from ladders, lifts, near stage edges and to be able to lift 50lbs unassisted. This position will require lots of standing, sitting, kneeling and bending. This position will need some basic computer skills; we use the Microsoft Suite of office tools as well as AutoCAD. While the Candidate does not need to be an expert, they should be able to use computers with ease. The Candidate must be able to communicate effectively: spoken and written. Qualifications, Responsibilities, Essential Abilities & Mindsets Des Moines Metro Opera encourages applications from people without formal education in theater – the substitution of experience for traditional educational is perfectly acceptable. · Diploma or Degree from a Theatre Production Program of study and/or 5 or more years of experience working in a scenic shop. · Ideally, has experience as the primary builder on several projects of various types and scales. · Experienced in the accepted practices of theatre construction methods and with a variety of materials. · Experience working with a variety of tools, but especially knowledgeable in the safe operation of standard shop tools/equipment, including equipment like forklifts, personnel lifts, ladders, box/panel trucks with lift gates, etc.. · A high attention to detail is essential; an understanding and willingness to adapt to the needs of the scenic artist’s requests to produce the designed best outcomes. · Experience in leading a team, communicating with the team and the ability to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the team. This person should have excellent relationship building skills. · Someone passionate about making the install go smoothly is essential and someone who shares the belief that the beautifully finished front side of scenery should also have a beautiful backside – clean, labeled, without any fasters that poke through –someone who takes great pride in the scenery they construction. · Experience in ordering and sourcing materials, as well as the ability to monitor spending/reporting spending. · Experience in building fly cables and preparing scenery for hanging. · Ideally, some experience in aluminum welding and fabrication. Additional training can be provided. · Comfortable driving a 26’ box truck and with experience loading trailers/trucks with scenery. · Willing to help support the touring technicians of Opera Iowa and someone willing to step-in in case of illness. · Desire to organize and effectively store stage / shop equipment, including equipment from other departments. · Willingness to help with the odd projects, events, installs, displays and other activities for the company when help is needed. · This person needs to always behave like a professional and compassionate team-focused leader. The best candidate will have a good sense of humor and a good way of showing pride in the team’s work. This person should have a mindset of ‘how can I help’ and ‘how can I improve this for others’. · This position will receive (if they don’t have) first-aid training, OSHA workplace safety training, fall arrest (as needed) training, forklift operation certification and any other safety training deemed necessary. All workplace training will all be provided to the successful candidate at no-charge. Des Moines Metro Opera will make other various professional development available to the successful candidate. Application Process Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and should include 3 references, via email, with the subject line ‘Head Scenic Carpenter’ to: [email protected] Any links to a portfolio should be included in the attachments and not in the body of the email.
Application Deadline:
Nov. 30, 2025
Job Duration:
Open ended
Job/Audition Type:
Full Time
Job Category:
Technical/Show Support
Payment status:
Paid
Job Location:
United States,
Iowa, Indianola |
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