FAIR Lighting Design Assistant chez Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF)

ABOUT THE FAIR EXPERIENCE

The Fellowship, Assistantship, Internship, and Residency (FAIR) Experience at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival offers meaningful professional development for aspiring, emerging, mid-career, and established artists, artisans, and arts administrators. Founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Tim Bond, The FAIR Experience was created with the mission of creating a doorway in Southern Oregon to access training in the field. As the oldest and largest repertory theater in the U.S., OSF offers a unique learning environment shaped by our repertory model, where participants engage with experienced professionals across disciplines. FAIR empowers the next generation of theater practitioners to build lasting careers and contribute to the evolving field of American theater. 

FAIR Statement of Purpose 

The FAIR Experience at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival promotes equity and diversity within the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the field of American theatre at large, while generating the conditions of belonging and support within an enriching professional development environment. 

FAIR is designed to honor OSF's commitment to including diverse people, ideas, cultures, and traditions in all areas of our work. We encourage people of diverse identities to apply.

FAIR Program Structure 

The FAIR Experience is an educational opportunity that fosters artistic growth, learning & development, and engagement through a range of experiences. At the core of the program are the FAIR Forums, where participants explore interdisciplinary topics that bridge inquiry and practice. These forums, along with experiential activities like changeover viewings and production tours, provide insight into OSF’s repertory process and broader artistic landscape. You will also be given a schedule of educational activities to attend alongside your 2026 FAIR cohort. The season culminates in a capstone, encouraging participants to reflect, create, and give back through a flexible range of creative or administrative contributions.  

Learning Expectations: 

• Engage in weekly FAIR Forums
• Participate in supplemental activities, including meet-and-greets, hall runs, production tours, and changeovers.
• Complete a capstone by the end of the season.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The FAIR Lighting Design Assistantship is a professional development opportunity for emerging to mid-career lighting designers seeking hands-on experience in large-scale, rotating repertory theater. This assistantship offers in-depth training across nine productions in OSF’s 2026 season, supporting both guest and resident lighting designers.

Participants will build real-world skills in a collaborative production environment and gain valuable exposure to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s unique repertory model.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist guest and resident lighting designers by taking and tracking detailed notes

• Maintain all lighting-related documentation, including cue sheets, light plots, focus charts, and instrument schedules

• Communicate design updates to the lighting team and coordinate with production staff

• Attend and participate in all assigned technical rehearsals, hall runs, rehearsals, focus calls, work calls, and production meetings

• Operate lighting consoles or remote-control devices during focus sessions or cueing

• Support the implementation of lighting looks and maintain consistency across departments

• Interface regularly with directors, stage management, and other design departments to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration

• Remain flexible and responsive to real-time changes during the production and technical process

• Assisting with focus via a console or remote device

QUALIFICATIONS:

• An associate degree or one to two years of equivalent training and/or relevant experience

• Intermediate working knowledge of Vectorworks and Lightwright is required

• Excel, Word, Teams, and SharePoint proficiency is desired

• Demonstrated ability to multitask and maintain a professional demeanor in fast-paced environments

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods

• Clear written and verbal communication skills

• Respect for confidentiality and collaboration across diverse teams

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

• Positions Available: 5

• Schedule: Varies weekly based on production needs; generally 30–40 hours per week

• Work Conditions: This position will require weekend and evening work, and often receives after-hours requests for assistance

• Equipment Provided: A department laptop with Vectorworks and Lightwright installed, a computer accessory dongle,a  thumb drive, and access to printers/plotters

• Union Status: This position is not union-affiliated, but participants will gain exposure to union-affiliated workflows and mentorship

• Collaborating Departments: Stage Management, Production Management, Lighting, Directors, Designers, Props, and occasionally Stage Operations

• Application Closing Date: October 15, 2025

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please read the following carefully before beginning your application:

• It is strongly recommended that you gather all required materials in advance, including resumes, statements, letters of recommendation, and media files (if applicable).
• You will be asked to upload several documents. Ensure that they are saved in PDF format only. Files in .txt, .jpeg, or other formats may not be processed properly and may prevent full consideration of your application.

APPLICATION MATERIALS

All documents must be uploaded in PDF format.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

1. Resume

Include relevant experience and indicate Equity-level productions (if applicable).

2. Cover Letter (1–2 pages)

Your cover letter should address:

• Why you are interested in working at OSF
• Your interests and accomplishments in your chosen discipline
• How the FAIR Experience aligns with your artistic and/or professional goals

3. Two Letters of Recommendation

Letters must come from professional or academic references. Each letter must be uploaded individually in PDF format.

4. Artistic or Personal Statement (1–3 pages)

A reflective document outlining your personal voice, values, and vision as an artist, artisan, or arts administrator.