Assistantships and Scholarships

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.

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 workstudy 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.

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.

Primary Function:

Provide support for all of Villanova Theatre’s live and digital communications efforts (including press releases, e-blasts, social media, phone and e-mail correspondence).  Assist in planning and set up for departmental events (receptions, talk-backs, open house, etc.).  Coordinate box office activities, group sales, subscription campaigns, special events, and house management.  Manage desktop publishing projects such as the layout/design of playbills, posters, advertisements, and recruitment materials. Assist with mailing, filing, general office duties. Familiarity with basic graphic design, desktop publishing, video editing, and ticketing software is encouraged, though some training will be provided. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills, strong attention to detail, and a high level of professionalism.

Typical Duties:

• Draft written material for press releases, e-blasts, and social media
• Generate graphic material content using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign
• Layout playbill material, flyers, etc. in InDesign
• Manage social media sites
• Monitor, update, and adhere to Marketing & PR deadline calendar in Google
• Process tickets in Vendini
• Set up for special events (food, beverages, tables)
• Loading and unloading event and concessions supplies (must lift up to 25 pounds)
• Driving for the purpose of shopping and postcard distribution
• Maintaining and cleaning shared spaces (office, green room, lobby)
• Answering phone and e-mail inquiries
• Remain seated at desk for up to six hours
• General office duties (mailing, filing, ordering office supplies)

Specialized Skills:

• Basic knowledge of Mac and PC operating systems
• Microsoft Suite
• Knowledge of design software
  
• Knowledge of ticketing software
  
• Professional writing
• Printer/Copier/Fax Machine operation

Hours per week:

• Standard work hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10:00am – 4:00pm with a 30 minute lunch break.
• The Marketing & PR Assistant may be asked to work occasional nights and weekends.
• During Technical Rehearsal periods hours are significantly increased and are for 14 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday.
• All assistants are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance

Positions available:

1 full assistantship available every 2 years.

Primary Function:

Receives tuition remission to study and perform in our program. Performs in any shows he/she is cast in. Considered a leader and an example of professional conduct and process in rehearsals.

Typical Duties:

• Audition for all 8 Villanova Theatre productions
• Perform in Villanova Theatre productions when cast
• Be an example of professional conduct in classes and rehearsals
• May be called upon to join production team if not cast (light board, sound board, etc.)
• May perform material for promotional events
• May be asked to drive the University truck

Specialized Skills:

• Previous performance training
• Vocal training (singing or otherwise)

Hours per week:

Possible rehearsal hours:

• Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 pm – 11:30pm
• Friday 6-11:30
• Saturday-Sunday anytime from 11 am until 11:30 pm (will not exceed 8 hours with 1 hour break).
• Mondays are days off.
• During technical rehearsal periods, which occur over two weekends per semester, hours are significantly increased and are up to 14 hours per day.
• Acting Scholars may be required to rehearse during Fall or Spring break or return early from Winter break to attend rehearsals.
• Acting Scholars are required to be at strike for each show after the final performance.

Positions available:

2 positions available every academic year.

Primary Function:

Assist Villanova University’s Theatre faculty by providing research support, coordinating professional development, and aiding in administrative tasks. Curate and manage the Philadelphia Theatre Research Symposium, Villanova University’s annual research conference. Manage and edit Praxis, the accompanying online academic journal. Must have strong written and verbal communication skills, dramaturgical expertise, strong attention to detail, and a high level of professionalism.

Typical Duties:

• Assisting faculty in professional and academic projects through research support
• Assist Department Chair in day-to-day organization
• Manage Philadelphia Research Symposium and Praxis e-mail and telephone correspondence
• Generate material for event brochures and invitations
• Set up for special events (food, beverages, tables)
• Loading and unloading event and concessions supplies (must lift up to 25 pounds)
• Driving for the purpose of shopping and event set up.
• Remain seated at desk for up to six hours

Specialized Skills:

• Basic knowledge of Mac and PC operating systems
• Microsoft Suite
• Research skills
• Professional writing
• Printer/Copier/Fax Machine operation

Hours per week:

• 7 hours required per week. Can supplement with work study hours.
• Standard work hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 10:00am – 4:00pm with an hour lunch break.
• The Research Scholar may be asked to work occasional nights and weekends.

Positions available:

1 position available every 1 or 2 years.