Apprentice, Scene Painting (Summer 2025)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. You must complete your application within three days of starting it for it to be processed.

EXPECTED DURATION: 12 weeks (full-time; 35 hours/week)

PAY RATE: $12.41/hour

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Learn basic and advanced scene painting and finishing techniques from professional scenic artists. Apprentices will work alongside our scenic artists to finish professional scenery for fully produced shows.

• Use traditional and exotic techniques to finish scenic elements
• Work with paint, foam, fabric, and other media to create finished scenery
• Take on unique responsibilities as running crew for opera performances at The Barns

REQUIREMENTS:

• Prior scene painting or equivalent experience
• Understanding of basic scene shop safety

For additional information, contact internships@wolftrap.org with questions.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:

• Undergraduate students (must have completed at least 1 year of undergraduate study)
• Graduate students
• Recent graduates (up to 2 years out of school)
• Career-changers currently enrolled in a degree program
• International students (J-1 or F-1 Visa required)
• Must be physically located in and have a local address in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia for the duration of their employment

APPRENTICE POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• These positions follow the Opera company rehearsal schedule and work on a 6 day/week schedule (one day off that varies from week to week; standard pro-duction schedule)
• Technical Theatre, Scene Painting, Props, Costuming, Lighting, and Wig & Make Up Apprentices also become the run-crew for all performances at The Barns at Wolf Trap

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75 percent of the time
• Constantly operates a computer and other office equipment (i.e. calculator, copier, printer, etc.)
• Occasionally required to walk, stoop, bend and reach with arms
• Lift/move up to 10 pounds infrequently

We’re pleased to consider applicants who will be physically located in and who will have a local address in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia for the duration of their employment. The Foundation does not offer fully remote work for any positions. Applicants who reside in any other state would be required to be physically located in and provide a local address in Virginia, Maryland, or the District of Columbia prior to starting work for Wolf Trap Foundation. 

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment that embraces and encourages different perspectives.  We work to reflect and be representative of the communities in which we serve and in which we reside.  Qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans who need assistance or an accommodation in our job application processes should contact hr@wolftrap.org. An offer of employment is contingent on successfully passing a background check.