Scenic Artist

Company Overview

Persephone Theatre, a leading cultural institution in the City of Saskatoon, is looking for and creative and passionate Scenic Artist to join our team. This position plays an integral role in is bringing Persephone Theatre’s productions to life, while contributing to the organizational goals that serve Persephone’s vision and mandate, as well as the Saskatoon community.

 Persephone Theatre is located on the beautiful lands of Indigenous peoples who have lived here since time immemorial, including the Nêhiyawak, Nêhithawak, Anishinabek, Nakawe, Nakota, Nehinawak, Lakota, Dakota and Dene peoples. This place is also the homeland of the Métis. At Persephone, we also like to acknowledge the contributions of the Whitecap Dakota and Round Prairie Métis peoples in establishing our city of Saskatoon. Persephone Theatre is located on Treaty 6 territory and is committed to living in good relations with our Indigenous neighbours, in the spirit with which the Treaties were intended. 

 Persephone sits amidst an increasingly vibrant city centre and attracts a loyal and diverse audience looking for the very best in theatre experiences. From its busy MainStage, its second stage The BackStage Stage, and rehearsal halls; to its theatre school and youth programming; and the many events held in its venue, Persephone Theatre has established itself as a cultural hub. Persephone Theatre is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of our community in the stories we tell and the ways in which we undertake creating our work. We prioritize a workplace culture that centres equity, inclusion, and authentic representation. We strongly encourage submissions from those who self-identify as members of historically excluded communities, which includes (but is not limited to) those who identify as IBPoC, 2SLGBTQIA+, d/Deaf, or who have a disability or chronic illness.  

Job Description

POSITION: Scenic Artist
STATUS: Full-time, Seasonal, Evening and Weekend Required
REPORTING: Reports to the Technical Director and Production Manager

Reporting to the Technical Director & Production Manager, the Scenic Artist is a departmental head and a key member of our production team. This is a full time, seasonal position that requires daytime, evening, and weekend work.

 Persephone Theatre is looking for an individual who is excited to take on the following responsibilities:

 Duties and Responsibilities:

§  Working as an integral member of the production team, the Scenic Artist is responsible for the painting of all set pieces, backdrops, murals, and various other scenic elements.

§  Interpreting design renderings through VectorWorks.

§  Mix color based on designer renderings and color-matching based on existing pieces.

§  Base, primary, and finish painting of all hard pieces of scenery.

§  Sculpting and carving of set items, as needed.

§  Lay out and painting of backdrops, either upright on a paint frame or painted flat on a stage.

§  Assist the props department on specialty paint projects, as requested.

§  Touch-up and maintenance of all completed projects.

§  Guiding relevant participants in Persephone’s Artist Mentorship Program (AMP).

§  The Scenic Artist will be briefed by the Set Designer as to all painted scenic elements required.  May also be asked to paint complex prop pieces.

§  The Scenic Artist must ensure that their work is carried out to the agreed standards and deadlines. Time management skills are essential.

§  Attend production and technical meetings, as required.

§  Ensure a safe and clean work environment.

§  May be required to assist others in the Technical Department, working on various other aspects of the Theatre’s productions, and related facility maintenance.

§  Abide by the Theatre’s safe workplace guidelines and rules, including the Code of Conduct and Anti-Discrimination policies.

§  Carry out any other tasks requested by the Technical Director or Production Manager.

 Skills & Qualifications:

·        A minimum of five years hands on experience in scenic painting, with strong working knowledge of carpentry and sewing.

·        Secondary school training in Theatre Production and Design is an asset.

·        The Scenic Artist will need excellent, comprehensive, artistic and scenic skills. They should have a good knowledge of basic scenic painting techniques, layout and paint application skills, and colour mixing.

·        The Scenic Artist’s abilities should include the traditional fine arts skills of sketching, rendering, and painting in addition to being well versed in theatrical painting techniques.

·        Creative thinking and problem solving.

·        Experience in Vectorworks is considered an asset.

• First Aid training is considered an asset.

 As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to become a member of, and maintain good standing in, IATSE local #300.

 Salary and Benefits:

§  Weekly salary is $1,081.20 per week, to be paid bi-weekly.

§  Overtime is governed under the collective agreement, and will be calculated as per clause 16.1.5.

§  Comprehensive extended health plan.

The ideal candidate will begin on August 6, 2024. Start date flexibility will be considered for the right candidate.