Graduate Assistants are considered “full-time” or “half-time,” as reflected by the stipend awarded and the time commitment required. Full assistantships come with a stipend of $18,780 per academic year and require 300 hours/semester; half assistantships come with a stipend of $9,390 per academic year and require 200 hours/semester (22-23 rates). In addition, both provide full tuition remission.
Positions available:
Three half assistantships in the set/props shop (eligible for a possible full assistantship after the first year)
Three half assistantships in costume shop (eligible for a possible full assistantship after the first year)
Set Shop Job Description:
Primary Function:
Under minimal supervision and with explicit instruction and training, to build and support scenic, lighting, and audio/visual elements for the productions in Vasey Theatre. Also to support department functions and improvements, studio, workshop, or outside productions associated with the Villanova Theatre and Visual Art Department.
Typical Duties:
- Loading and unloading trucks with lumber, scenery, or debris outdoors.
- Setting up a scene shop on a daily basis which includes carrying and erecting a table saw, compound mitre saw, and work tables
- Using a screw gun repetitively on the floor or over head
- Crawling under the stage in the trap room that is 18” high to run 50’ length cables or drill holes
- Erecting and dismantling a 14’ scaffold while wearing a harness.
- Climbing a 14’ scaffold and ladders to hang lights, run cable, or install scenery
- Climbing a 14’ ladder carrying a 20lb lighting fixture with the purpose of hanging it overhead to the fixed grid while wearing a harness
- Climbing a 14’ ladder repetitively, approximately 50 times in one day
- Driving a truck to the on campus dumpster to dispose of scenery
- Driving a truck to local stores to pick up supplies such as hardware or lumber
- Sweep, mop, and paint. This includes cleaning the theatre seats and lobby after build is complete.
- Two assistants per show will be assigned to do dimmer check and set check and are responsible for maintaining the current production.
- Use of personnel man lift.
- Hang and Focus lights from scaffold, ladder, extension ladder, or personnel man lift.
Specialized Skills:
Table Saw, Compound Mitre Saw, Circular Saw, Router, Jig Saw, Cordless and Corded Screw guns, Sawzall, Right Angle Grinder, Band Saw, Portaband, Power Sanders, Metal Cutting Saws, Pneumatic Staple and Nail Guns
Hours per week:
- Standard work hours are Monday-Friday; 9:30am – 4:00pm with a 30 minute lunch break
- Work will on occasion begin at 9:00 and will occur on the weekends
- During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours per day
- All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance
Positions available:
2 half assistantships available every academic year.
There will be an opportunity to be promoted to a full assistant in the second year.
Prop Shop Job Description:
Primary Function:
Under minimal supervision and with explicit instruction and training, to build, shop for, and create props as well as paint scenery for the productions in Vasey Theatre. Also to support department functions and improvements, studio, workshop, or outside productions associated with the Villanova Theatre Department.
Typical Duties:
- Loading and unloading trucks with large and heavy items and carrying large items up and down stairs
- Driving for the purposes of shopping for and obtaining props from department storage
- Lifting a 50lb bucket of paint
- Using a screw gun repetitively on the floor or over head
- Climbing a 14’ scaffold carrying a paint bucket and brush
- Having a wide range of motion to roll, or brush scenery
- Standing, leaning, walking and lifting for at least 6 hours a day
- Using Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop
- Maintaining and cleaning stock, storage, tool and shop facilities
Specialized Skills:
Table Saw, Compound Mitre Saw, Circular Saw, Router, Jig Saw, Cordless and Corded Screw guns, Sawzall, Right Angle Grinder, Band Saw, Portaband, Power Sanders, Metal Cutting Saws, Pneumatic Staple and Nail Guns, P50 Staple Gun, Hot Glue Gun, and Sewing Machine
Hours per week:
- Standard work hours are Monday-Friday; 9:30am – 4:00pm with a 30 minute lunch break
- Work will on occasion begin at 9:00 and will occur on the weekends
- During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours per day
- All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance
Positions available:
1 half assistantship available every academic year.
Costume Shop Job Description:
Primary Function:
Under minimal supervision, and with explicit instruction and training, to build, shop for and create costumes for the productions in Vasey Theatre. Also to support department functions and improvements, studio, workshop, or outside productions associated with the Villanova Theatre Department.
Typical Duties:
- Serving as Assistant to the Costume Designer on two shows per year
- Using Word and Excel to make costume plots and shopping lists
- Maintaining Dropbox folders for each show - scanning and uploading research, sketches, and paperwork
- Taking notes and photos in fittings
- Driving to the mall, thrift stores, etc. to purchase costume pieces
- Being present in the theatre during technical rehearsals to take notes
- Serving as First Hand or Pinner in the shop
- First Hand: cutting out patterns as instructed by Cutter/Draper
- Pinner: pinning costume pieces together to create projects for stitchers
- Sewing by hand and machine as needed
- Craft projects using dye, paint, glue, or other materials
- Pulling costume pieces from department storage on West Campus and maintaining codes and organization
- Supervising and teaching undergraduate work study students sewing skills and technical terms
- Carrying 25 – 40 lb bags of clothing up and down stairs to and from department storage on West Campus
- Standing for up to five hours at a time
Specialized Skills:
- Sewing machines, overlock machine, steam iron, steamer
- Mallets, pliers, leather punch, scissors
Hours per week:
- Standard work hours are weekdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with an hour lunch
- Part-time assistants work three days a week, full-time assistants work four
- Assistants may be asked to work over fall and spring breaks and return early from winter break
- During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours per day
- All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance
Positions available:
2 half assistantships available every academic year.
There will be an opportunity to be promoted to a full assistant in the second year.
