Lead Painter/Dyer

Job Description

Job Description

Now Hiring: Lead Painter / Dyer
Department: Costume | Reports to: Associate Costume Director
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week), Union - IATSE Local 154
Expected Start Date: January 5, 2027
Expected End Date: June 12, 2027
Pay Rate: $33.20 hourly
Location: Ashland, OR (On-site)

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Lead Painter / Dyer to join our Costume Department. This role is ideal for an accomplished costume professional with expertise in dyeing, painting, printing, distressing, and fabric manipulation who enjoys combining artistry, technical precision, and collaborative problem-solving.

The Role You’ll Play

As Lead Painter Dyer, you’ll work at an expert level to plan, create, and oversee fabric and costume treatments for OSF productions. You’ll collaborate with Costume Designers and production teams to translate artistic concepts into colors, textures, graphics, and finishes while coordinating multiple projects and deadlines.

What You’ll Do

Dyeing & Surface Design: Create custom colors, textures, graphics, and treatments using advanced techniques including dyeing, silk screening, airbrushing, digital printing, stenciling, painting, and distressing.

Color & Design Execution: Develop precise dye formulas and color matches while considering how colors appear under different lighting conditions in OSF’s indoor and outdoor theatres.

Planning & Collaboration: Assess project scope, develop Dye Shop work calendars, and prioritize projects with Costume Project Managers, Lead Craft Artisans, and Lead Drapers.

Research & Documentation: Test fabrics, materials, products, and techniques and document approved formulas, finishes, and processes for ongoing garment maintenance.

Mentorship & Support: Share expertise, mentor colleagues, and assist Craft Artisans and Wardrobe & Hair as needed.

Shop & Safety Operations: Maintain Dye Shop equipment and workspaces while ensuring strict adherence to current safety standards.

You’ll Thrive Here If You…

Have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 5 years of Costume Shop theatre experience .
Bring advanced knowledge of Fiber Reactive, Acid, Union, Direct, and Disperse dyes.
Have expertise in color matching, fabric manipulation, painting, printing, and distressing techniques.
Can manage a high volume of work and multiple projects while meeting production deadlines.
Are adaptable, collaborative, solutions-oriented, and committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment.
Are comfortable using digital image tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of global garment and costume history.
Experience mentoring and teaching others.
Strong communication, delegation, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office and cloud-based information-sharing systems.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

Ability to lift and move costumes and equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, climb stairs, and sit or stand for extended periods. Must be able to manipulate fabrics over an 80-gallon dye vat and work in environments with high heat and rapid airflow. The standard workweek is Tuesday–Saturday , with overtime and schedule adjustments as needed for fittings and technical rehearsals.

Organizational Background

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) was founded in 1935 in Ashland, OR, and has grown from a three-day festival of two plays to a nationally renowned theatre arts organization that presents a rotating repertory season of up to 10 plays and musicals, including illuminating interpretations of Shakespeare, other enduring classics, and new works. OSF productions have been presented on Broadway, internationally, and at regional, community, and high school theatres across the country. OSF received the 1983 Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre and is one of the largest nonprofit theatres in the nation with three stages, including an outdoor Allen Elizabethan Theatre.

Statement of Purpose

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival creates world-class theatre, revealing our collective humanity through illuminating interpretations of new and classic plays, and inspiring a love of our art form for current and future generations.

Company Values

• We are committed to working toward inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, creating a space of belonging for all audiences and employees—through concrete actions and systemic improvements.

• We nurture and support our artists, attracting and retaining diverse, innovative talent across the organization.

• We believe in the transformational power of collaborative artmaking and performance.

• We recognize the importance of responsible stewardship of resources and sustainable business, financial, and environmental practices.

• We serve the public good and engage with and respect our community of artists, audiences, staff, local citizens, patrons, donors, and the greater theatre community worldwide.