Company Management and Assistant Stage Management – Illinois Shakespeare Festival 2026 (ISU Students)

Title: Company Management and Assistant Stage Management – Illinois Shakespeare Festival 2026 (ISU Students)
Employee Classification: Student Special Event
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Job Summary

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is seeking applications for Assistant Stage Managers, a Company Manager, and an Assistant Company Manager for the 2026 summer season.

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
- Stage management experience is required, preferably in a professional environment; however, in accordance with the U/RTA and Guest Artist AEA contracts, candidates must be working towards, or have recently completed their degree. The ideal candidates will have demonstrated strong stage management and leadership skills, work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment, be self-motivated, be an enthusiastic team player, and be able to teach SM interns. ASMs will also work on the run crew for an additional mainstage show or work on the SM Team for the TYA show.
- These are full season positions with contract dates of May 12 – August 2 (including prep week).

COMPANY MANAGER and ASSISTANT COMPANY MANAGER
- Company management experience is required, preferably in a professional environment. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated strong company management, leadership, and people skills. They also will be able to work well in a fast-paced environment, be self-motivated, have excellent communication skills, and be willing and able to teach young professionals and interns.
- Company Management will need valid driver’s licenses.
- These are full season positions with contract dates of May 12 – August 6.


Housing is available at a reduced cost beginning on May 11.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed and positions filled as applications are received.

In addition to the required resume and cover letter, interested applicants are encouraged to submit images of their work, uploaded as a Word or PDF document. Alternatively, a link to an online portfolio can be uploaded in a Word or PDF document.

Additional Information

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is a professional repertory theatre company that produces Shakespeare and contemporary plays in the spirit of Shakespeare every summer at the beautiful Ewing Cultural Center in Bloomington, Illinois. The Festival hires professional Directors, Designers, Actors, and production personnel and offers a variety of internships to students from Illinois State University and other colleges and universities. The Festival sells an average of 10,000 tickets per year, is supported by Illinois State University and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival Society.

 

Student employees are eligible to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan.  More information can be found here.

Pay Rate

Positions range from $15.00/hour for Assistant Stage Managers and Assistant Company Managers, and $17.00/hour for Company Manager.

Required Qualifications

Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment

Self-motivated

Strong communication skills

Valid driver’s license

Additional requirements included in the General Summary

Work Hours

Stage management regular hours will adapt to the rehearsal hours of the show assigned and appropriate meetings with an average of 32 hours per week. Hours will adjust to mostly evening hours during performance. Company management regular hours will include both daytime and evening hours that will adapt to each day’s needed van runs.

Proposed Starting Date

May 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume & Cover Letter

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Images of work or links to online portfolio

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Contact Information for Applicants

Allie Nicholson
alnich1@ilstu.edu
Production Manager, Illinois Shakespeare Festival

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal backgrou