Canada Summer Jobs with Freewill Shakespeare Festival!

The Freewill Shakespeare Festival is produced by The Free Will Players Theatre Guild (FWP) in Edmonton and is one of the longest running outdoor Shakespeare Festivals in Canada. FWP was formed as a not-for-profit theatre company in 1989 by a group of seven recent graduates of the UofA in a truly cooperative, pass-the-hat spirit with the mandate to produce the works of William Shakespeare. Since then, FWP has grown to an organization that employs about 45 artists, administrators, and support staff at the height of the summer season and has drawn over 200,000 people to its productions. In addition, the summer season at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park also has over 100 volunteers assisting with the afternoon and evening shows and special events. These volunteers put in over 2000 hours each summer.

This summer Freewill Shakespeare Festival will be bringing A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Measure for Measure to the Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park starting June 16th to July 10th.

For our 33rd Festival we have the following Canadian Summer Job positions available:

Special Events Coordinator – May 23 to July 13 (7 weeks)

In addition to 32 performances during our 3-week run, we host over a number of festival events. These include: private events, opening nights, speciality events, auctions, BBQs and event rentals. This position helps coordinate all the requirements surrounding each event. Making sure they run smoothly, and timely in conjunction with the productions on the stage. Help with the set-up, and decorations within the special events tent. Dealing with patrons and running beer and wine for events. Also handling food safety and COVID protocols will be required.

Hours of Work and Remuneration: 40 hours per week/ $15 per hour

For more information about the Special Events Coordinator position, please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MS1e2ONdhcY2m1zZAkROeBE-y3YCDjAS/view?usp=sharing

Festival Organizer – May 23 to July 13 (7 weeks)

Working closely with our Volunteer Director, helping source suppliers, ordering and inventory of Festival supplies and Special events. Undertaking administrative duties prior to the Festival including preparing all special event paperwork, assisting with private special event sales, mail-out to donors and helping organize the Opening nights. Help in the managing and organization of online festival auctions. Take part in Safety Briefings with Festival Management, and contribute to monitoring for possible inclement weather circumstances. As part of the Supervisory team, prepare for and assist in facilitation of possible emergencies or evacuations procedures. Organize the Operations prior to the Festival and oversee special event volunteers and help with any festival event administration.

Hours of Work and Remuneration: 40 hours per week/ $15 per hour

For more information about the Festival Organizer position, please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Qf0RqzDIYPLPHWJ1JSEx24P5iEnN5ro/view?usp=sharing

Director Volunteer Services – May 9 to July 13 (9 weeks)

Responsible for recruiting, training, overseeing and scheduling volunteers. Sourcing suppliers, ordering and inventory of Festival supplies. Organizing move down to the Festival Site. Undertaking administrative duties prior to the Festival including preparing paperwork, data entry, and organizing the volunteer party. Carry out Operational and Front of House duties as needed. Maintain flow and control of the sales while Site is open to the public. Take part in Safety Briefings with Festival Management.

As part of the Supervisory team, prepare for and assist in facilitation of possible emergencies or evacuations procedures. Maintain records, perform post job evaluation, correspondence, and filing. Organize the Operations prior to the Festival and oversees operations of Front of House during performances once Festival begins. Administrative duties as needed. Help implement safety and health guidelines throughout the run of the Festival.

Hours of Work and Remuneration: 40 hours per week/ $15 per hour

For more information about the Director Volunteer Services position, please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k8U70axDEroucH_IglwtIvkMcEuiI-Zp/view?usp=sharing

Props Person – May 9 to July 13 (9 weeks)

The Props Person is responsible for the creation or acquisition of all props for the festival, while staying within budget, meeting all deadlines, and keeping an accurate inventory.

Hours of Work and Remuneration: 40 hours per week/ $15 per hour

For more information about the Props Person position please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18NRvaEwHrkNE1rlb71stqtkWsXyudaez/view?usp=sharing

Production Assistant – May 23 to July 13 (7 weeks)

• The Production Assistant reports directly to the On Site Production Manager
• The PA provides his/her labour and technical knowledge as required for the needs of setup and tear-down of the Festival.
• Stagehand Duties – The PA is responsible for executing Stage Management-assigned tasks during performances of the Festival, as well as stage turnarounds between performances.
• The PA typically runs QLab audio cues during performances as called by Stage Management.
• Other Duties: The PA is responsible for other duties related to technical aspects of the Festival as directed by the On Site Production Manager and/or Stage Management.

Hours of Work and Remuneration: 40 hours per week/ $15 per hour

For more information about the Production Assistant position please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A0VTJ5h5foilPG8t1b48bIm4kJVMUNP8/view?usp=sharing

Site Coordinator – June 9 through July 19, 2016 (6 weeks)

Reporting to the Production Manager and working in tandem with the Assistant Managing Director/Volunteer Coordinator and the Concession & Merchandise Coordinator, the Site Coordinator will be responsible for facilitating smooth operations, maintenance and safety of the Festival site. This includes overseeing the general custodial needs of the amphitheatre, supervising proper site drainage/maintenance during inclement weather, supervision of patrons during performances with regards to the Concession, Beer and Merchandise tents, as well as assisting with setup of rentals for special on-site events during the Festival.

Hours of Work and Remuneration:
The Site Coordinator commences full-time work 2.5 weeks prior to the festival. For the duration of the festival (June 14 to July 10), hours are approximately 5:00 pm to 11:30 pm Tuesday to Friday, and Noon to 11:30 pm (with a break between shows) on Saturdays & Sundays. Because the nature of the position is based on the needs arising at the Site, hours of work are subject to change. (40 hours per week/ $15 per hour)

For more information about the Site Coordinator position please click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H6C_OsAMgpuWVPr3FKVfyPdiHIr6w1px/view?usp=sharing

All positions are through Canada Summer Jobs grant program. To qualify, applicants must be under 30 years old and legally entitled to work in Canada

Please send your resume to Nikola Tonn, Managing Director: md@freewillshakespeare.com

Deadline for all positions: April 22nd, 2022

Freewill Shakespeare Festival is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or disability.