Operations Associate
Part-Time (25-30 hours/week)
Compensation: $20/hour
General Schedule: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; may include occasional later nights and weekends
Mudlark Theater seeks a proactive and detail-oriented Operations Associate to support the day-to-day operations of our vibrant youth theater. This in-person position plays a vital role in ensuring our facilities, including office spaces, classrooms, and performance venues, are well-maintained and provide a polished, professional, and welcoming environment for staff, students, and audiences.
Primary Responsibilities:
Regular Facilities Maintenance:
Perform routine upkeep of facilities, including light cleaning, space organization, filing, and supplies management.
Address facilities-related issues, such as basic IT troubleshooting and small repairs.
Collaborate closely with the Building Administrator of the First Congregational Church of Evanston Community Center, where Mudlark is based, to coordinate maintenance and shared space needs.
Operations Support:
Answer phones and handle basic inquiries.
Facilitate drop-off and pick-up during program hours.
Technical Theater Support:
Assist with the technical aspects of theater productions, including basic stage carpentry, lighting, and other production-related tasks as needed.
Event Preparation and Support:
Set up and maintain a welcoming environment for performances and events, ensuring a professional experience for attendees.
Aid in the execution of events.
Organization & Supplies Management:
Keep office and performance spaces organized and well-stocked.
Ensure spaces are ready and comfortable for daily activities and public events.
Qualifications:
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to independently identify and resolve issues.
Attention to detail and the ability to see tasks through to completion.
Comfortable with basic IT troubleshooting and minor repair tasks.
Friendly and professional demeanor when interacting with staff, students, and families.
Comfortable working around children and their families in a theater environment.
Ability to navigate stairs and lift up to approximately 30 pounds.
Ideal Candidate Attributes:
Can quickly and easily commute to Mudlark Theater at 1417 Hinman Ave, Evanston, IL.
Self-motivated with a proactive approach to tasks.
Organized and capable of managing multiple responsibilities effectively.
Willingness to learn new skills.
Experience in theater production management, technical direction, stage carpentry, lighting design, or stage management is a significant bonus.
Additional Benefits:
PTO accrual
Simple IRA contribution
Pre-tax CTA / Metra commuter program
Program and Ticket Fee Waivers (including dependents as available)
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and interest in the position to hr@mudlarktheater.org
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Mudlark Theater is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds to apply. For more information about our organization, please visit www.mudlarktheater.org
Artistic Assistant
The Artistic Assistant will support Mudlark’s Artistic Department through pre-production, technical
rehearsals, performances and strike for the Spring 2025 season.
Details:
● Dates: February 27 - May 23, 2025
● Days: Assistantship will have one regularly scheduled day in the office Tuesday - Friday plus additional days to support tech and strike.
● Rate: $16/hr, approximately 6 hours a week except for tech weeks which will be closer to 25-30 hours (evenings & Saturdays).
The Artistic Assistant will report to Mudlark’s Artistic Producer.
Responsibilities:
● Provide general assistance to the Artistic Department staff in preparing for spring productions.
● Attend production meetings, technical rehearsals, volunteer days, and strike as scheduled to support spring productions.
● Help maintain Mudlark theatrical inventory including restocking costumes, props, and scenic materials.
● Provide prop design support for Mudlark’s middle school productions. This could involve leading high school volunteer day, pulling and crafting props from stock, purchasing props using Mudlark’s props budget, etc.
● Communicate with Mudlark staff, designers, directors, and high-school production assistants via Slack for the duration of employment.
● Support Designers & Directors during tech week by setting up and maintaining greenroom and dressing room spaces, supervising technical procedures of theater space and equipment, and ensuring the safety of our actors during tech and performances.
● Position will require lifting and carrying or otherwise moving objects up to 50 pounds, ascending and descending ladders, being in enclosed dark spaces, and will involve manual activities including painting, sweeping, mopping, organizing props and costume materials.
Specific Dates / Times:
The Artistic Assistant should be available to work the majority of tech, performances, and strikes below.
AESOP'S FABLES (Tech)
Sat. March 8th (11:00am - 4:00pm)
No Sunday Tech
Mon. March 10th (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
Tues. March 11th (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
Wed. March 12th (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
AESOP'S FABLES (Shows)
Thurs. March 13th - Sun. March 16th (5:30pm - 9:00pm)
Strike: Tuesday March 18th Time TBD
LITTLE WOMEN (Tech)
Sat. April 19th (11:00am - 4:00pm)
No Sunday Tech
Mon. April 21st (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
Tues. April 22nd (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
Wed. April 23rd (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
LITTLE WOMEN (Shows)
Thurs. April 24th - Sun. April 17th (5:30pm - 9:00pm)
Fri. May 2nd - Sun. May 4th (5:30pm - 9:00pm)
Strike: Tuesday May 6th Time TBD
MUDPIE (Tech)
Sat. May 10th (11:00am - 4:00pm)
No Sunday Tech
Mon. May 12th (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
Tues. May 13th (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
Wed. May 14th (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
MUDPIE (Shows)
Thurs. May 15th - Sun. May 18th (5:30pm - 9:00pm)
Strike: Tuesday May 20th Time TBD
Qualifications:
We are seeking candidates with a passion for theater and arts education, who are excited about working to support youth actors, and ready to pitch in on a wide range of support tasks. Past experience working with youth in an arts setting, and in props, scenic, or costume design is a significant bonus.
Working With Youth: Expectations
Mudlark Theater works with actors ages 10-16. Because of this, the Artistic Assistant will be working with a wide range of ages in our ensembles. We are looking for someone who can support a positive environment for our youth performers, always maintaining respectful language, clear communication, patient understanding, and prioritize safety.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and interest in the position to production@mudlarktheater.org
Applications will be reviewed until February 3rd.
Mudlark Theater is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
About mudlark theater
Mudlark Theater is a not-for-profit organization where children are taken seriously as artists and learn theater by making it. Our residencies, classes, and camps teach life skills as well as theater arts. Our productions have real substance and tell innovative stories that surprise and delight all audiences. Actors and students learn empathy, listening skills, public speaking, critical thinking, and collaboration—strengths that enhance their academic and personal growth, and will also prepare them to make a difference in any field they choose to enter. At Mudlark, we strive to be a welcoming and safe space where the stories and identities of all youth are honored and celebrated.
production positions
If you are a designer or technician interesting in working with Mudlark, please send your production resume to production@mudlarktheater.org.
We are looking for:
Sound Designers
Lighting Designers
Costume Designers
Mudlark Theater is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to bringing diverse perspectives to our administrative and artistic teams.