Full Time Properties Supervisor - Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Year-Round | Salaried Exempt | Start Date: July 13, 2026 | Open Until Filled
Orlando Shakespeare Theater is searching for an experienced, creative, and collaborative Properties Supervisor to join our year-round production team at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Orlando, FL. This is a full-time, salaried exempt position reporting directly to the Technical Director.
About Orlando Shakespeare Theater
Orlando Shakespeare Theater (Orlando Shakes) is one of the Southeast's leading professional theaters, celebrating more than 35 years of live performance in the heart of Orlando. Operating year-round from the Lowndes Shakespeare Center - a 53,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility - Orlando Shakes produces a diverse season of classical works, contemporary plays, new American works, and beloved holiday productions including our annual production of A Christmas Carol.
Our four performance spaces +mdash; the Margeson Theater (324 seats), Goldman Theater, Santos-Dantin Theater (65 seats), and Mandell Theater (100 seats) - host a full season of mainstage productions alongside an ambitious educational program that serves Central Florida schools and the broader community. Orlando Shakes operates in partnership with the University of Central Florida (UCF) and is a proud member of the professional theater community.
Position Description
The Properties Supervisor is responsible for all properties needs across Orlando Shakespeare Theater's full production season. Working closely with scenic designers, directors, and production teams, this position oversees the realization of the artistic vision through props, set dressing, and rehearsal properties. The Properties Supervisor manages all day-to-day operations of the props department - including construction, fabrication, sourcing, purchasing, budgeting, and inventory management - and directly supervises one props department staff member. This is a key position on the production team, requiring an artisan with strong leadership, organizational, and collaborative skills.
Responsibilities Include:
- Manage day-to-day operations of the props department including construction, sourcing, purchasing, and budget tracking across all productions
- Collaborate with scenic designers, directors, costume designers, and other creative teams to understand and execute the design vision for all properties
Attend all design meetings, production meetings, tech rehearsals, and note sessions as required
- Create detailed build schedules and coordinate timelines with other production departments
- Provide, track, and maintain rehearsal props throughout the rehearsal process in coordination with stage management
- Construct, fabricate, and finish props including furniture building, sewing, upholstery, crafting, painting, and surface treatments
- Research historical periods, design styles, and materials to ensure authenticity and appropriateness for each production
- Source, shop for, and procure props from vendors, rental houses, auction houses, thrift markets, and other sources
- Maintain accurate budget tracking and submit purchase orders and receipts in a timely manner
- Organize and maintain props storage areas, workshop spaces, and inventory systems
- Maintain all props during production runs, including repairs and replacements as needed
- Coordinate with stage management for props tracking, preset lists, and backstage organization
- Supervise, train, and mentor the props department assistant and any seasonal staff or overhire
- Ensure compliance with all safety protocols and applicable building and materials codes
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized workspace in the props shop at all times
- Manage props strike and the return of all rented or borrowed items
- Maintain detailed records of props inventory, sources, vendors, and construction documentation
- Collaborate with other departments (scenery, costumes, electrics) during technical integration
- Assist with load-in and load-out of productions and support special events, fundraisers, and educational programming as needed
Requirements:
- Proven experience as a theatrical properties artisan, supervisor, or manager at the professional level
- Expertise in prop construction techniques including painting, sewing, furniture building, upholstery, and crafting
- Ability to interpret and execute construction drawings and designer renderings
- Strong budgeting skills and demonstrated ability to work within financial constraints
- Ability to manage multiple productions and competing deadlines in a fast-paced, year-round environment
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities
- Experience supervising and mentoring staff members
- Strong problem-solving skills and resourceful, creative thinking
- Valid driver+rsquo;s license and reliable transportation for shopping and off-site pickups
- Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet management, budget tracking, and Google Workspace applications
- Must be able to safely lift 50 pounds, and push/pull up to 100 pounds
- Must be able to work at heights up to 25 feet using ladders and lifts when necessary
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during tech weeks and production changeovers
- Punctual, reliable, and consistently responsive to communication during working hours
Preferred Qualifications:
- Degree in Technical Theatre, Design, or equivalent professional experience
- 3+ years of experience as a properties supervisor or lead artisan in professional theater
- Proficiency with CAD/Vectorworks and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Extensive knowledge of theatre history, design styles, and historical time periods
- Experience with welding, metalworking, carpentry, electrical wiring, and advanced fabrication techniques
- Knowledge of upholstery, fabric dyeing, leatherwork, and textile manipulation
- Familiarity with 3D printing, molding and casting, and other specialized fabrication methods
- Experience with weapons/firearms handling and stage combat prop requirements
- Understanding of food props and the safe handling of perishable items for stage use
- Previous experience managing properties for Shakespeare, classical, or large-scale period productions
About Our Season:
The Properties Supervisor will oversee props for all Orlando Shakespeare Theater productions including classic Shakespeare, contemporary plays, new works, and our beloved annual production of A Christmas Carol. Each production offers unique properties challenges - from period-accurate furniture and hand props to specialty items requiring custom fabrication and innovative solutions. Our year-round season spans multiple venues and scales, and includes special events and robust educational programming.
Commitment to Diversity
Orlando Shakespeare Theater is committed to diverse and inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, ethnicities, gender identities, abilities, ages, and perspectives. We particularly welcome Orlando and Florida-based candidates as part of our commitment to supporting our local artistic community. We believe that diverse creative teams strengthen our productions and better serve our community.
Compensation
Salary Range: $50,000 - $54,000 annually - Housing and transportation are not provided. The position is exempt and salaried. Night and weekend availability is required.
Benefits
- 403(b) retirement plan
- Employer-contributed health insurance
- Paid time off
How to Apply
Qualified applicants should apply via email to jobs@orlandoshakes.org with "Your Name" and "Properties Supervisor" in the subject line.
Please submit a current resume, cover letter, portfolio or examples of work, and three references (with email contact) as a single PDF.
No Phone Calls Please.
Orlando Shakespeare Theater is an equal opportunity employer.
