Opportunities:
Hiring 8 positions for Summer of 2024. Read on...
Job Opportunities
Summer 2024
Other Guise is seeking to form an ensemble of creators for the summer of 2024. The ensemble will accept the following artistic challenge:
· Using two shipping containers full of set pieces from the production Labyrinth (Theatre SKAM, May 2022), collectively devise an ambulatory performance inside an empty retail space to run for five weeks in Victoria, BC.
· A very modest cash budget and in-kind support of tools will be provided.
· Mentorship will be provided.
· The ensemble will act as a company, managing all aspects of the production, including welcoming audiences, managing tickets and donations, and promoting the shows.
Detailed job descriptions are below.
Submit by May 15, 2024:
Please send cover letter and resume to matthewpayne@otherguise.ca with the subject line: Summer Jobs 2024
All workers hired, must meet the requirements of the Canada Summer Jobs program.
To apply for this job, you must:
· Be aged between 15 and 30 years old on the start date of the job;
· Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN); and
· Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.
International students and other temporary residents of Canada are not eligible.
The Jobs:
1 Producer-director
1 Stage Manager
3 Performers
3 Technician-operators
Skills:
Client service
Teamwork
Communication
Digital skills
Leadership
Brief stats:
1 Producer-director
Starts June 17
8 weeks
$25/hr
1 Stage Manager
Starts June 24
8 weeks
$22/hr
3 Technician-operators
Start June 24
8 weeks
$20/hr
3 Performers-composers-writers
Start June 24
8 weeks
$20/hr
Submit by May 15, 2024:
Please send cover letter and resume to matthewpayne@otherguise.ca with the subject line: Summer Jobs 2024
In your cover letter, tell us about your previous experience working in an ensemble, or why you think you'd be good at it. Consider the other skill sets your company will need to cover off all elements of producing a show and share with us your range of skills. Your primary skill set is very likely the job you are applying for, but your secondary skill set might be social media, or front-of-house.
Interviews will be the week of May 20th. Decisions by the week of May 27th.
Detailed Job descriptions:
Producer-director
This position is the heart of the project. This is a great opportunity to get some serious producing skills while working on our Summer Plays program. If you love to be organized and aren’t intimidated by professional artists or audiences, want to learn more about the ins and outs of theatre management and are quick on your feet at problem- solving, this may be the job for you!
• Creating show documents for audiences and artists
• Lead the ensemble in creation of the piece
• Directing scene work
• Visioning the layout and path the audience will follow
• Lead the ensemble in generating marketing
• Update Letters of Agreement for artists/ technicians
• With Stage Manager, Create and Coordinate schedules for artists and technicians
• Location Planning: performer placement, audience placement, technician placement
• Assist event planning and execution
• Permits, Licenses and Equipment rental/planning
• Event duties management
• Venue Planning: site visits
• Media calls: liaise with Media
• Dress Rehearsal planning and executing
• Post mortem duties…physical clean up and documenting duties, updating all paperwork, wrapping up the project, updating internal documents for next year's event
• Other Guise specific COVID-19 protocol management
• Some driving- if applicable - to be kept in accordance with the student's BC Driver's License
Preference will be given to candidates with past event and project management experience. The position requires the director-producer to be physically active during the event, lifting objects up to 40lbs may be required.
The producer-director is hired one week in advance of performers to allow preparation time. Client service: The producer-director is one of the primary points of contact with clients, including other performers, audience members, event organizers. They are the face of the company and the program. Teamwork: The producer-director will work as a team to source, create, rehearse, and perform a series of short musical acts/plays. They work together to set up the location, and assist to ensure each performance is the best it can be. Communication: The producer-director will communicate with the ensemble members extensively during the rehearsal period. They will communicate with Other Guise staff on a regular basis. The producer-director may communicate with patrons before, during, and after performances. They will also communicate with passersby wondering what is going on. Verbal and physical communication is a vital part of how performers and producers interact with one another on and off the stage.
Digital Skills: Other Guise uses the online GSuite platform to collaboratively work on documents whether working from home or the office. The producer-director will utilize a variety of spreadsheets and other documents to track performance schedules and track audience stats. Email is a primary method of communication and many meetings are currently held digitally through Google Meets or Zoom. Leadership: The producer-director will have an opportunity to shine as a leader. They are the primary leader, and are in charge of the team of writer-composer-performers and technicians and stage manager. They ensure the day runs according to schedule and set-up/strike occurs smoothly.
Stage Manager
Along with the Producer-director, this position is the heart of the project. This is a great opportunity to get some serious stage managing skills while working on our Summer Plays program. If you love to be organized and aren’t intimidated by professional artists or audiences, want to learn more about the ins and outs of stage management and are quick on your feet at problem- solving, this may be the job for you!
• Manage day-to-day running of performances
• Creating show documents for audiences and artists
• Tracking blocking, entrances and exits for artists
• Plan Marketing actor calls
• Distribute Letters of Agreement for artists/ technicians
• Distribute schedules for artists and technicians
• Assist with Location Planning: performer placement, audience placement, technician placement
• Assist event planning and execution
• Permits, Licenses and Equipment rental/planning
• Event duties management
• Venue Planning: site visits
• Dress Rehearsal planning and executing
• Post mortem duties…physical clean up and documenting duties, updating all paperwork, wrapping up the project, updating internal documents for next year's event
• Other Guise specific COVID-19 protocol management
• Some driving- if applicable - to be kept in accordance with the student's BC Driver's License
Preference will be given to candidates with past event and project management experience. The position requires the stage manager to be physically active during the event, lifting objects up to 40lbs may be required.
The stage manager is a key position. Client service: The stage manager is one of the primary points of contact with clients, including other performers, audience members, event organizers. They are the face of the company and the program. Teamwork: The stage manager will work as part of a team to source, create, rehearse, and present an ambulatory performance for audiences moving through a large set. They will manage the day’s activities, and lead other team members to ensure each performance is the best it can be. Communication: The stage manager will communicate with performers and technicians extensively during the rehearsal period. They will communicate with each other and Other Guise staff on a daily basis. The stage manager will communicate with patrons before, during, and after performances. They will also communicate with passersby wondering what is going on. Verbal and physical communication is a vital part of how performers and producers interact with one another on and off the stage.
Digital Skills: Other Guise uses the online GSuite platform to collaboratively work on documents whether working from home or the office. The stage manager will utilize a variety of spreadsheets and other documents to track performance schedules and track audience stats. Email is a primary method of communication and many meetings are currently held digitally through Google Meets or Zoom. Leadership: The stage manager will have an opportunity to shine as a leader. They are in charge of the team of performers and technicians (once the program begins performances). They coordinate with front of house and box office personnel. They ensure the day runs according to schedule and set-up/strike occurs smoothly.
Performer
Under the direction of the producer-director, the three performers will create, rehearse and perform short new works throughout the Labyrinth. We’re looking for applicants who are able to busk and rally an audience prior to performances. Previous experience creating and writing scripts will serve you well in this position. Musical abilities will serve you well.
Duties include:
• Working with the Producer-Director to write and compose and rehearse short spoken and musical selections
• Perform shows in a Victoria venue
•Manage the venue at the site and direct the audience where to stand and sit for comfort and safety during the performances
• Engage with prospective patrons, take tickets
• Acting as Other Guise ambassadors, promoting Other Guise for future shows and activities
• Collect any donations
• Track audience numbers and other data for Other Guise to use in future marketing
• Assist with set up the show, the front of house, manage the program of work consisting of short acts.
The position requires the performers to be physically active during their day (setting up/striking the event daily). Lifting objects up to 40lbs may be required. Client service: The performer is one of the primary points of contact with clients, including other performers, audience members, event organizers. They are the faces of the company and the program. Teamwork: The writer-composer-performer will work as a team to source, create, rehearse, and perform a series of short acts/plays. They will work together to set up each show, and assist each other to ensure each performance is the best it can be. Communication: performers will communicate with each other, the stage manager and the producer-director extensively during the rehearsal period. They will communicate with each other and Other Guise staff on a daily basis The performer will communicate with patrons before, during, and after performances. They will also communicate with passersby wondering what is going on.
Verbal and physical communication is a vital part of how performers interact with one another on the stage. Digital Skills: Other Guise uses the online GSuite platform to collaboratively work on documents whether working from home or the office. The performer will utilize a variety of spreadsheets and other documents to track performance schedules and track audience stats. Email is a primary method of communication and many meetings are currently held digitally through Google Meets or Zoom. Leadership: performers will take turns being in charge (if/when producer-director is not in attendance) or ensuring the day runs according to schedule and daily set-up/strike occurs smoothly.
Technician-operator
The three technicians will install the set that is the Labyrinth. The technicians will then operate the show during its run. Previous experience in carpentry/lighting or sound will serve you well in this position.
Duties include:
• Working with a mentor to install all elements of the production, including set, lights and sound
• Operate shows in a Victoria venue
•Manage the venue at the site and direct the audience where to stand and sit for comfort and safety during the performances
• Engage with prospective patrons
• Acting as Other Guise ambassadors, promoting Other Guise for future shows and activities
• Collect any donations
• Track audience numbers and other data for Other Guise to use in future marketing
• Assist with daily set up of the show, the front of house
The position requires the Technician-operator to be physically active during their day (setting up/striking the event daily). Lifting objects up to 40lbs may be required. Client service: The Technician-operator is one of the primary points of contact with clients, including other workers, audience members, event organizers. They are the faces of the company and the program. Teamwork: The Technician-operator will work as a team to install, set up and operate the show. They will work together to set up each show, and assist each other to ensure each performance is the best it can be. Communication: Technician-operators will communicate with each other, the stage manager and the producer-director extensively during the rehearsal period. They will communicate with each other and Other Guise staff on a daily basis. The Technician-operator will communicate with patrons before, during, and after performances. They will also communicate with passersby wondering what is going on.
Verbal and physical communication is a vital part of how Technician-operators interact with one another. Digital Skills: Other Guise uses the online GSuite platform to collaboratively work on documents whether working from home or the office. The Technician-operator will utilize a variety of spreadsheets and other documents to understand schedules and tasks. Email is a primary method of communication and many meetings are currently held digitally through Google Meets or Zoom. Leadership: Technician-operators will take charge of certain aspects of the production, ensuring the day runs according to schedule and daily set-up/strike occurs smoothly.
About the ensemble:
Canada Summer Job placements are 8 weeks full time. There is no flexibility around the pay schedule. (There may be flexibility around the summer schedule if all ensemble members agree.)
Additional roles:
Is a full job too much to consider? The show will require volunteer support. Email matthewpayne@otherguise.ca to express your interest in this regard.
About the original show:
Labyrinth saw audiences in small groups walk through a 600-foot long installation teeming with visual art and dotted with live performances. The set, with the visual art elements, was developed in May of 2022 and, after an initial showing, is in storage. The set will be reassembled in 2024 and new performance elements added by summer students. The company will be made up of performers that include folks from marginalized/ equity-seeking communities, 2SLGBTQI+ backgrounds, Indigenous youth and performers with disabilities. (Our space is accessible)
Among the issues tackled will be the climate crisis and mental health.
More about the Other Guise:
The Other Guise Theatre Company creates original plays and musical play sand tours them to Vancouver Island communities and internationally. Artistic and Executive Director, Matthew Payne, leads the company, providing strong vision and support for emerging talents on Vancouver Island. As of January 2023, we own a building in downtown Victoria which we'll be renovating into an arts hub. Our Labyrinth program is a summer event designed to provide professional entertainment to audiences living in and visiting the island. Our goal with the program is to host visitors from multiple constituencies, south and north of the Malahat and provide high quality entertainment that is relevant and current. Using humour and music, we aim to shine a light on issues effecting residents and visitors to our island.