be part of the magic
More than 100 people are part of the Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre company — directors, designers, actors, technicians, musicians, and administrators who are a mix of students, professionals, community members, and Muhlenberg College staff. We are a non-Equity company, though we hire Equity actors under the Guest Artist Contract.
Applications for technical positions are generally due March 1, and auditions are held in February and March.
The college is located in a residential area in the beautiful West End of Allentown, Pa., with excellent sport and exercise facilities on campus. We are minutes away from the beautiful Poconos, an hour-and-a-half from New York City, and forty-five minutes from Philadelphia. Housing is provided for company members in Muhlenberg's dormitories. There are cooking facilities in the dormitories and inexpensive restaurants near the campus but meals are not provided.
Auditions for SMT 2012 were held in February.
SMT 2013 auditions will be announced early in the new year. Performers are paid a stipend for rehearsals and performances. Dormitory housing will be provided for performers who do not live in the Lehigh Valley area.
Costume Positions & Carpenters/Electricians
Cutter/Draper, First Hand, Stitchers, Wardrobe: This is a wonderful opportunity for candidates possessing theatre experience, excellent costume construction, alteration, and wardrobe skills. Employment dates are still to be determined. Technician dates generally run late May to early July. Wardrobe dates generally run from early June to late July or early August. If applying for Draper, please send photos or CD of representative work.
Carpenter: Experience is required in standard scenic construction techniques, ability to lift 50 lbs and working knowledge of shop equipment and tools. Must have ability to read and interpret scaled construction drawings.Employment is usually from mid-May through late July or early August.
Electricians: Experience is required in standard execution of stage lighting, including reading and interpreting lighting plots, hang, focus, and maintenance of equipment, ability to work at heights in excess of 40 feet, ability to lift 50 lbs, operate/program light board (ETC Ion and Expression 3) during rehearsals and performances, and assist with shop carpentry as needed. Experience with DMX, moving lights and scrollers helpful but not required. Employment is usually from mid-May through late July or early August.
The season includes two mainstages and a show for young audiences. Competitive salary and housing provided. Applicants should send a letter of interest and a resume to boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu by March 1, 2013.
College/University Student Program
Each summer we invite college students to join the company to work in the areas of scene construction, lighting, costume construction, properties, stage management, and arts administration. Stipends for college students starts at $800 for carpenter/electricians; management-level students (ATD, Master Carpenter; Master Electrician, Properties, Assistant Box Office Manager, Cutter/Draper, etc.) receive higher compensation. Students work under the supervision of professional technical and administrative staff and gain valuable experience working on high-quality theatrical productions; design students have the opportunity to serve as artistic staff for the children's theatre productions.
Requirements:
- You must submit a cover letter and resume to the General Manager by March 1, 2013. A cover letter and resume is all that is required; a formal application is not necessary.
- You must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
- You must enclose a list of three current references, including one from a theatre/dance professor.
Each summer we invite high school students to join the company to work as interns in stage management. Unlike other summer stock operations, we do not charge any fees. Each intern is paid a $400 honorarium. Interns work under the supervision of professional staff and gain valuable experience working on high-quality theatrical productions and as production staff for children's theatre productions. Interns also serve as running crew for productions, when needed.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old as of May 1, 2013. See the application form for additional requirements.
See the show for free! Volunteer to be an usher for Summer Music Theatre performances. Contact the box office to volunteer: 484-664-3333 or boxoffice@muhlenberg.edu.
Photo: The Who's Tommy, 2008; photo by Kenny Ek, Kenek Photography
