Employment

Head Electrician

Reports to: Lighting Supervisor
Status: Seasonal, Hourly
Dates: April 27, 2026 to November 11, 2026, preferably, or October 18, 2026
Salary Range: $938.40 per week, housing provided by APT

American Players Theater is currently seeking applicants for the position of Head Electrician. This staff member will support the installation, execution, and maintenance of all theatrical lighting and effects as designed for the repertory season and supervise the same for APT’s Fall Show. Qualified applicants will show a proficiency with programming ETC Ion Control Board and with electrical wiring. Experience with regional theater and/or repertory theater is preferred.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
• Supervise work calls
• Hang and circuit all lighting as designed by Lighting Designer
• Execute wiring for all electrified and battery operated practicals and props
• Supervise the build and execution of lighting and atmospheric effects
• Program ETC Ion light board during technical rehearsals
• Run light board during performances
• Ensure the integrity of all lighting elements before each performance
• Participate in lighting changeovers
• Maintain and update cue lights, house lights, work lights, and backstage blue lights
• Maintain and repair lighting cable and conventional lights as needed
• For APT’s Fall Show in the Touchstone Theatre:
o Communicate with lighting designers prior to focus
o Attend production meetings
o Supervise focus calls for repertory plot, as well as individual shows
• Other duties as assigned

Interested applicants should send a PDF resume with references to Laura Arnold at [email protected]. Please include Head Electrician in the subject line.

Assistant Costume Shop Director

Reports to: Costume Director
Status: Seasonal, Salaried
Dates: April 28, 2026 – August 8, 2026
Salary Range: $675 - $715 per week, plus housing provided


American Players Theater is currently seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Costume Shop Director. This staff member is responsible for assisting the Costume Director with ongoing support for APT’s Costume Shop as a whole, as well as supporting individual shows as needed. Applicants should have a strong organizational and communication skills, as well as experience with costume construction and crafts. The Costume Shop Assistant helps to support a shop of 30 in providing costumes for an 8 play repertory season in two theaters, one of which is outdoors.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
• Keep track of Costume Shop supplies inventory
• Source and order shop supplies
• Track and check in orders on Purchase Orders
• Work with vendors for the return of Sales Tax
• Local shopping in Madison
• Assist Costume Design Assistants with shopping and sourcing for shows
• Assist with stitching and costume crafts as needed
• Attend regular shop meetings
• Attend technical rehearsals as assigned
• Other duties as assigned
Interested applicants should send a PDF resume with references to Laura Arnold at [email protected]. Please include Assistant Costume Shop Director in the subject line.

Crafts Artisan

Reports to: Costume Director
Status: Seasonal, Salaried
Dates: May 12, 2026 - June 27, 2026 and July 7, 2026 - August 8, 2026, subject to adjustment during hiring.
Salary: $790 per week, plus housing provided by APT

American Players Theater is currently seeking applicants for the position of Crafts Artisan. This staff member will be part of a team building period costume crafts primarily for our outdoor classical theater. Work hours average 40 per week in a shop filled with natural light. Must have experience with leather tooling and jewelry. Experience with period construction, construction for outdoor theatre and/or extended runs preferred. APT boasts two theaters, a 1075-seat outdoor amphitheater and a 200-seat indoor theatre, and produces eight plays in repertory in the wooded hills of southwest Wisconsin.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
• Assist in the construction and maintenance of all costume detail accessories, craft work, armor and related items
• Assist in executing the painting and dyeing needs for the season
• May also involve some millinery tasks and assistance with shoes (distressing, rubberizing, accessorizing)
• Attend all work calls as directed by the Costume Director
• Maintain a clean and safe work area
• Attend regular shop meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Interested applicants should send a PDF resume with references, and photographs of work samples (or a link to the same) to Laura Arnold at [email protected]. Please include Crafts Artisan in the subject line.

Draper

Reports to: Costume Director
Status: Seasonal, Salaried
Dates: April 28, 2026 - June 27, 2026
Salary Range: $933 per week, plus housing provided by APT

American Players Theatre is currently seeking applicants for the position of Associate Draper. This staff member will be part of a team building high-quality period costumes. Work hours average 40 per week in a shop filled with natural light. Experience with period construction, construction for outdoor theatre and/or extended runs preferred. APT boasts two theaters, a 1075-seat outdoor amphitheater and a 200-seat indoor theatre, and produces eight plays in repertory in the wooded hills of southwest Wisconsin.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
• In conjunction with the Draper
o interpret Costume Designer’s renderings into actual clothing
o Organize work load to complete by opening
o Supervise and direct the work of First Hand(s) and Stitcher(s) on the Team
o Draft and drape patterns, cut fabrics, tailor menswear, attend all fittings
o Responsible for all alterations
o Attend APT’s March Design Conference March 13, 2026 to March 17,2026
Interested applicants should send a PDF resume with references to Laura Arnold at [email protected]. Please include Draper in the subject line.

Lighting Supervisor

Reports to: Production Manager
Status: Seasonal, Hourly
Dates: March 13 – 17, and April 20 – October 24
Salary Range: $1,000 per week, housing provided

American Players Theater is currently seeking applicants for the position of Lighting Supervisor. This staff member will oversee the execution of the lighting designs, including the supervision of hang and focus, maintenance of instruments, light board operation, wiring and rigging of electrical special effects and practicals, and lighting changeovers. They will supervise a staff of 3, with additional labor from APT’s deck crew, and execute advance work with lighting designers. Qualified applicants will show a proficiency with programming ETC Ion Control Board and with electrical wiring. Experience with regional theater, repertory theater, and/or working outdoors is preferred.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
• Supervise Lighting Department for 9 shows in 2 theatres, including Lighting Assistant, Lighting Associate, and Head Electrician.
• Communicate with lighting designers for show needs and in response to deliverables
• Attend production meetings and Department Head meetings
• Supervise lighting hangs
• Supervise focus calls
• Supervise all electrified and battery-operated props, lighting and atmospheric effects
• Program ETC Ion light board during technical rehearsals
• Run light board during some performances
• Ensure the integrity of all lighting elements before each performance
• Supervise lighting changeovers
• Maintain and update all cue lights, house lights, work lights, and backstage blue lights
• Maintain and repair lighting cable and conventional lights as needed
• Maintain inventory and make recommendations for improvements
• Other duties as assigned

Interested applicants should send a PDF resume with references to Laura Arnold at [email protected]. Please include Lighting Supervisor in the subject line.

APT is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

All front of house positions are currently filled.

For more information about Acting Apprentice Auditions for the 2025 season, please click here.