Production Fellow

Position Summary 

The Production Fellow will work with the Production Manager to gain comprehensive, hands-on experience in the operations and production practices of a leading professional LORT theater. This year-long fellowship provides broad exposure to the collaborative and multidisciplinary processes that support the creation of theatrical productions, while offering opportunities for professional development and evolution across multiple disciplines within the production department and organization. 

The Fellow will participate in and or be witness to all aspects of production, including technical work, design exposure, production management, educational programming, audience engagement, as well as some practical organizational operations. The position is designed for an early-career theater professional seeking practical experience, mentorship, and a more specified understanding of all many ways a producing theater needs to function. 

Term of Fellowship 

August 17, 2026 – July 15, 2027 

Average commitment of 35 hours per week, including evenings and weekends as required by production schedules, performances, special events, and educational programming. 

Reporting Relationship 

The Production Fellow reports directly to the Production Manager and the Technical Director and serves as a general assistant to the entire Production Department while also collaborating with staff across the organization. 

Responsibilities 

• When possible, assist the Production Manager with administrative and production-related projects. 
• Serve as Assistant to the Production Manager on assigned productions and event initiatives. 
• Work all production load-ins, technical rehearsals, show-runs, and load-outs. 
• Serve on run crew not only for our productions but for our special events. 
• Attend design, production, and staff meetings with Production Manager. 
• Gain practical experience in scenic rigging and fabrication, carpentry, painting, lighting, effects, sound, projections, and costumes. 
• Support production planning, communication, and coordination across all production departments. 

Artistic Engagement 

• Observe and participate in season planning discussions and processes at the discretion of the candidate and the Production Manager. 
• Assist directors, stage managers, and artistic staff during workshops rehearsals and developmental readings of new work. 
• Support artistic presentations, staged readings, open mics, and related events. 

Education and Community Programs 

• Assist with educational programming and public engagement activities. 
• Support student matinee events and related audience engagement initiatives. 
• Assist in producing and coordinating education department showings and presentations. 

Professional Development Opportunities 

In addition to daily responsibilities, the Fellow will receive structured mentorship and professional development opportunities, including: 

• Individual mentorship from Wilma staff and theater professionals with over 3 decades of experience. 
• Opportunities to meet with artists, designers, directors, producers, and other community artistic administrators. 
• Networking events and professional introductions within the Philadelphia theater community. 
• Exposure to the artistic, operational, administrative, and financial functions of a producing theater. 

Compensation and Benefits 

This is a temporary, full-time, exempt role with compensation of $30,000. 

Average of 35 hours per week and flexible schedule. 

Benefits include 85% payment of toward group health plan including vision, dental insurance, generous paid time off, and other benefits such as complimentary tickets to Wilma productions, and paid holidays. 

Ideal Qualifications 

• Rigorous interest in theater production, production management, technical theater craft, or arts administration. 
• Strong organizational and communication skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a creative and expressive environment. 
• Willingness to learn across multiple disciplines and departments and from multiple instructors. 
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by production schedules. 
• Commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative workplace. 

Physical Requirements 

The position is physical in nature. 

• Lifting weights of 50-60lbs. 
• Climbing and working on ladders 
• Running and loading weight on the double purchase fly system. 
• Working in a genie lift 
• Tying various knots under load. 
• The many contortions of painting. 

Working Hours  

Wilma Administrative office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Most weeks, the Fellow will be working outside of these administrative hours and more in-line with the production schedule. The job requirements are mostly on-site but will be required to work off-site at times, prepping rehearsal spaces and supporting trips to off-site storage. 

Applications and Inquiries 

Applications will be open until Monday, July 13, 2026, with the desired start date of Monday, August 17, 2026. 

Please submit a resume and letter of interest as PDF attachments with your name and "Production Fellow candidate" to hr@wilmatheater.org 

Mission and Values  

The Wilma Theater creates living, adventurous art, presenting bold, original, well-crafted, thought-provoking productions that represent a range of voices, viewpoints, and styles. The Wilma’s organizational values were developed through conversations with Wilma staff, board, and HotHouse Company members. Our organizational values are curiosity, courage, care, rigor, joy, collaboration, and liberation. 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement  

The Wilma Theater is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, age, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or public assistance status in the recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, transfer, layoff, recall and termination of employees. The Wilma is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment. Those who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other members of underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply.