Jobs

Theatre Calgary is seeking a skilled individual to fulfil the role of Head Stage Carpenter. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing supervision, co-ordination and maintaining a safe stage for the onstage productions and backstage operations at the Max Bell Theatre.

The Head Stage Carpenter reports directly to the Production Manager and Technical Director. The successful candidate will have excellent technical and communication skills and will exhibit a keen interest and ability to work as a part of a dynamic team environment. The successful candidate shall be willing to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends according to the production schedule created by management.

Theatre Calgary operates as a certified Union House with IATSE Local 212, is a Category “A” venue with CAEA, and is a signatory to the Canadian Theatre Agreement (CTA). Theatre Calgary is also a member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT).

We are the resident company in the Max Bell Theatre in the Arts Commons complex, where we primarily present theatrical plays and musicals that are created and produced in-house. The seasons are typically structured with work spanning from August through June, including a summer maintenance & repair period. Theatre Calgary also occasionally produces works in other venues, and/or in collaboration with other theatres.

The Max Bell Theatre has a 55’ wide by 40’ deep proscenium stage, featuring a 51-lineset single purchase counterweight fly system, and capacity for an audience of up to 750 patrons. We are proud to have made significant investments in cutting-edge theatrical equipment and technology, which allows us to create world-class productions. Key assets include an extensive Creative Conners automation rig, Western Canada’s largest permanent LED wall, a ZFX performer flying apparatus, an automated and multi-configurable revolve, a modular trap field, and an automated stage elevator.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensures stage safety for all personnel, including safe rigging and flying procedures.
• Enforces safety policies, advises management on changes, and documents incidents.
• Assesses and reviews show-specific hazards with the team, and acts as Fire Warden in emergencies.
• Collaborates on set designs early on and works with other departments for planning and installation.
• Researches and suggests solutions with other departments and creatives.
• Coordinates with other departments to streamline production processes.
• Plans and oversees safe and efficient installation and strike of set components, working with management.
• Manages the safe operation of scenery, including flies, trucks, and automation.
• Contributes to rigging plans, house configurations, and other relevant documentation.
• Creates and maintains show paperwork, ensuring timely completion from the crew.
• Advises management on departmental needs and budget considerations.
• Ensures compliance with Theatre Calgary policies and the IATSE Collective Agreement, promoting a safe and inclusive work environment.
• Identifies and manages labor resources, adjusting schedules and budgets as needed.
• Responsible for equipment maintenance, scheduling, and repairs.
• Maintains inventories and records of maintenance and repairs.
• Coordinates with management on venue requests, such as events, rentals, and tours.
• Manages the loaning or rental of equipment from the stage carpentry department.

Experience and Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• A collaborative, creative, and strategic thinking individual with experienced knowledge of theatre production and technical equipment.
• Self-directed, able to identify and undertake a task with limited direction or information.
• Robust experience with stage carpentry, flown scenery, and rigging.
• Strong communication, organizational and project management skills; ability to switch focus and juggle competing priorities and requests.
• Positive attitude and comfortable working in dynamic and collaborative environments, with a demonstrated ability to function under stress.
• Extensive knowledge in operation and maintenance of all stage equipment, including but not limited to: fly systems, rigging systems, chain motors and winches, and all other stage equipment owned by the facility.
• Working knowledge of scenic carpentry, construction, and repairs.
• Ability to safely lead and manage a crew of varying skillsets.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of stage automation controls and hardware, and performer flying are an asset. Theatre Calgary utilizes an extensive Creative Conners automation rig for its annual production of A Christmas Carol, in addition to various other automation and performer flying systems.
• Familiarity with Creative Conners Spikemark automation control software.
• CAD software proficiency (particularly Vectorworks).
• First Aid certification.
• PAL firearms license.
• Pyrotechnician license.

Working Conditions:

• Conditions may include working alone, in lifts at heights up to 30’, on grid heights up to 70’, lifting up to 50lb, frequent use of stairs, and working in low-light and loud environments. 
• Occasional travel outside of the city may be required.

Employment Terms:

As per the collective agreement, this role is a permanent seasonal position, with a guaranteed minimum 39 weeks of employment at 40 hours per week. The hourly wage starting June 1, 2026 is $35.50. Other terms and conditions are outlined within the 2022-2026 collective agreement between Theatre Calgary and IATSE Local 212.

This role will require weekend and evening work, and weeks in excess of 40 hours at various times throughout the season. Employees are strongly encouraged and supported in finding appropriate times to balance their hours. The Head Stage Carpenter is supported by an assistant head of stage and other crew members, and the successful candidate will play a central role in refining the structure of the stage carpentry team.

About Theatre Calgary:

Theatre Calgary’s vision is to stand amongst the best theatres globally as a leader in innovative, impactful, and diverse programming. Our mission is to stimulate, provoke, and delight through ambitious programming created to ignite local, national, and international engagement in a sustainable manner.

Theatre Calgary reflects the communities, the country, and the world we live in with passionate community engagement and extraordinary productions. For more than 50 years, we have focused our energy on providing our community with the highest level of classic and contemporary plays and musicals, featuring the best artists from Calgary and across the country.

Theatre Calgary believes in a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We are committed to reflecting the diversity of our community and we believe in equity and inclusion and strongly encourage submissions from all qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, and physical ability.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Theatre Calgary acknowledges that we live, work and create on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Districts 5 & 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta. They were the original occupants of this land and continue to be here to this day. Theatre Calgary is grateful to have the opportunity to present in this territory.

If you are excited to join our team and support our mission and values, we invite you to apply for this position with Theatre Calgary.

Suggested Start Date: Monday August 11, 2025

A suitable start date will be discussed with the successful candidate, and flexibility to provide required notice and/or relocation will be accommodated.

Posting Closes: Sunday June 1, 2025

Interested candidates are asked to send their cover letters and resumes, with “Head Stage Carpenter” in the subject line to:

Emma Brager, Production Manager
ebrager@theatrecalgary.com

More information at: www.theatrecalgary.com/careers

At a glance

Employment: Permanent, Salaried
Hours: FT (40 hrs); occasional evenings and weekends, as required
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: $51,000 - $58,000 annually
Location: Calgary (in-person) and some off-site locations as required for meetings and events

Closing Date: March 14, 2025

Join us today and see for yourself some of the many reasons why we were voted one of Alberta's Top Employers!

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to: employment@artscommons.ca

Job Description: 

Reporting to the Associate Director, Education, the Education Specialist is a key contributor to the planning and execution of dynamic arts education programs. This role is instrumental in planning and executing engaging educational experiences, that are aligned to the teachers and leaners needs. With a keen eye for detail, the Education Specialist ensures seamless logistics for school performances and experience while fostering meaningful connections between the arts and education.

You are a passionate advocate for arts education, deeply committed to its role in learning, personal growth, and community building. You understand the transformative power of the arts and are driven to create equitable, inclusive, and inspiring educational experiences. As a creative thinker and problem solver, you excel at designing and facilitating arts-based learning opportunities that resonate with diverse audiences. Whether leading workshops, developing curriculum resources, or coordinating event logistics, you bring strong communication skills and a collaborative spirit to every aspect of your work.

You thrive in both independent and team-oriented environments, balancing planning with hands-on program delivery. Highly organized and adaptable, you navigate multiple priorities with ease, always finding innovative ways to engage and inspire students and educators. Most importantly, you find joy in empowering others-unlocking potential, fostering creativity, and making a lasting impact through arts education.

Who we are:

Arts Commons is an ecosystem inclusive of artists, resident companies, and community groups. As one of the largest performing arts centres in Canada, Arts Commons strives to break down barriers to cultural participation by providing a modern, open, and inclusive gathering space in a central location.

At Arts Commons:

Our belief

• That equitable access to the arts is a human right

Our responsibility

• To redefine a bold and adventurous Calgary by championing and investing in creativity

Our mission

• To be an inspirational force where artists, community and organizations celebrate cultural identities, experience the full breadth of human emotions, and ignite positive change

What we offer:

On top of the excitement of working with a team of committed performing and visual arts professionals at one of Canada's top performing arts facilities, Arts Commons offers:

• A collaborative, engaging and values driven work environment
• An annual salary in the range of $51,000 - $58,000
• A comprehensive health and dental benefits package, with RSP matching and access to an Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• A positive working culture, keeping employee health and wellness a priority with generous paid time off policies and an annual lifestyle allowance
• A dynamic role that will have you engaging with the arts community in many ways

What we value:

We are looking for individuals who share our vision of building a creative and compassionate society, inspired through the arts. Our team is made up of people with a diverse range of interests - singers, actors, musicians, playwrights, coaches, teachers, gamers, bakers, photographers, athletes, dancers. People whose interests encompass the widest spectrum. We even have furry, four-legged friends in the office. We value people who strive to do the right thing, and work to be their best. People with open minds, hearts and arms.

What you will get to do here:

This position plays a vital role in leading and coordinating arts education initiatives, serving as the site coordinator and teaching artist coordinator for the ConocoPhillips Hub for Inspired Learning. In this role, you will act as the primary liaison for educators, artists, and logistics teams-ensuring smooth coordination of bussing, scheduling, supplies, and communications. Under the guidance of the Associate Director, you will design and facilitate arts-based workshops that align with curriculum objectives and provincial education goals, fostering meaningful connections between the arts and student learning.

As the performance coordinator and curriculum connector for Arts Commons Presents (ACP) Education, you will oversee the fulfillment of ACP Education performances, working closely with the box office team to manage logistics and ensure seamless event execution. 

You will also play a key mentorship role, supporting teaching artists in both in-class and online learning environments, while coordinating workshops, special events, and ad hoc programs that inspire creativity and engagement. Beyond program facilitation, you will take the lead in essential education administration tasks, including documentation, archiving, and collecting feedback to enhance future programming.

Above all, you will be an essential part of a collaborative and dynamic team, ensuring that both teaching artists and students experience high-quality, innovative, and accessible arts education.

Strategic Objectives:

Lead and enhance Arts Commons Education programs by effectively coordinating teaching artists, performances, and curriculum connections while strengthening community ties, optimizing resources, and supporting the growth of local teaching artists to create impactful arts-based learning experiences for students and educators.

Where you fit within our ecosystem:

The Education Specialist is a member of the Arts Commons Programming team and reports to the Associate Director, Education. You will work closely with the entire Arts Commons Programming team as well as members of the Production, Development, Brand & Audience Development, Finance departments, as well as local artists, schools, teachers, students, and public participants.

You will be a great fit if you…

Must haves:

• Passion for the Arts: This isn't just a job-it's a calling. You believe in the power of the arts to educate, inspire, and transform communities.
• Education & Experience: You've got a College Diploma in Arts Administration or a bachelor's degree in fine arts-or an equally awesome combination of education and experience that has prepared you for this role.
• Arts & Education Know-How: You bring at least 5 years of experience in arts and education and 3 years of event/project coordination, box office sales, or equivalent hands-on experience-whether that's in a classroom, on a stage, or behind the scenes.
• Master Multitasker: Juggling multiple projects with overlapping deadlines? No problem! You thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment and know how to keep all the moving pieces in sync.
• Communication Pro Extraordinaire: Whether it's listening, clarifying, collaborating, or presenting, you're a pro at getting the right message across with clarity and enthusiasm.
• Data Wizardry: You can track, analyze, and report data in ways that make sense to different audiences, from spreadsheets to storytelling.
• Classroom & Workshop Rockstar: You've got experience leading engaging arts-based education programs-whether in a classroom, a community space, or a recreational setting.
• Excel Enthusiast: You're comfortable with spreadsheets, formulas, and calculations (yes, even percentages and proportions). Bonus points if you can make pivot tables exciting!
• Alberta K-12 Knowledge: You have a solid grasp of the Alberta K-12 curriculum and understand how to align arts programming with educational priorities.
• Big-Picture Thinker: You connect the dots between new information and future trends, using insights to build creative solutions.
• Time-Management Guru: Balancing admin work, teaching, and logistics doesn't scare you-you know how to prioritize and get things done efficiently.
• Vulnerable Sector Check: A must-have to ensure the safety of the communities we serve.

Nice to have:

• Previous experience with Tessitura & ArtsVision, an asset
• Valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle or means of transportation, as required for attending to offsite meetings
• First Aid Certification
• An artistic practice in drama, dance, visual arts or music

If you are interested in applying to this exciting opportunity, please forward your resume and cover letter in confidence to:

Human Resources
Arts Commons
205 - 8th Ave SE Calgary, Alberta T2G 0K9
Email: employment@artscommons.ca

Interviews will be conducted on an on-going basis and the job posting will officially close when a suitable candidate is found. For best consideration, please apply by the deadline date. While we hope to fill this position as earliest as possible, our commitment to finding the right candidate may require more time.

We thank all interested applicants in advance but will only be contacting those selected for an interview. If you have any specific questions to ask in relation to the role, please send them to the email address above and a member of our team will do our best to respond to you in a timely manner.

Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA)

As part of our organization's commitment to IDEA, we work to remove barriers in collaboration with a broad range of voices. Removing these barriers begins with the hiring process. To that end, we are committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and providing accessible employment practices. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants are asked to make their accommodation needs known.

We strongly encourage applicants who identify as part of underrepresented groups, including women, people of colour and those with disabilities to apply. Even if your past experiences do not align perfectly with every qualification, we strongly encourage you to apply anyway! An excitement and passion for Arts Commons can go a long way here, whether it's in this role or another.