Joshua Warner Studios is a scenic design and fabrication studio creating scenery and custom installations for theatre, live events, and brand activations. We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Shop Foreman to lead our fabrication team and take ownership of daily shop production.

This position combines strong scenic carpentry skills with practical leadership. The Shop Foreman translates drawings and project deadlines into achievable daily work plans, assigns crew effectively, monitors progress, and ensures completed scenery is ready for paint, assembly, and delivery on schedule.

We are looking for someone who can anticipate challenges, make decisions, and communicate staffing or material needs early enough to keep projects moving.

RESPONSIBILITIES

-Plan and supervise daily fabrication across multiple projects, establishing clear priorities, assignments, and completion targets.
-Break builds into specific tasks and estimate the labor and time required to complete them.
-Lead staff and overhire carpenters, providing clear direction and checking work throughout the day.
-Perform hands-on scenic carpentry, fabrication, assembly, and troubleshooting.
-Read and interpret construction drawings, identifying questions and resolving build details with the design and drafting team.
-Track progress against deadlines and promptly communicate delays, resource needs, and proposed solutions.
-Coordinate with studio operations on labor and material requests, and with the paint team on scheduled handoffs.
-Check completed work for accuracy, finish quality, assembly, and readiness for transportation and installation.
-Maintain a safe, organized shop and oversee appropriate tool use and routine equipment maintenance.
-Support load-outs and on-site installations as project needs require.

QUALIFICATIONS

-Substantial professional experience in scenic carpentry, theatrical fabrication, or a closely related field.
-Previous experience leading a shop crew or supervising complex builds.
-Strong working knowledge of wood construction, sheet goods, scenic hardware, and standard shop tools.
-Ability to read construction drawings and develop efficient fabrication methods.
-Demonstrated ability to plan work, allocate labor, and meet firm deadlines.
-Clear communication, sound judgment, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
-Ability to balance hands-on work with supervision of the full shop floor.

Experience with CNC fabrication, metalworking, touring scenery, and installation is a plus.

COMPENSATION + SCHEDULE

This is a full-time, on-site position based at our studio in Jamaica, Queens. Compensation is $38/hour, with potential to transition to a salaried position as the role develops. Some evening and weekend work may be required based on production and installation schedules.

TO APPLY

Please submit a resume; and a brief introduction describing your scenic fabrication and crew leadership experience. Work samples or a portfolio are welcome.