Senior Prop Maker

As a Senior Prop Maker for F2027 at CFT, you will provide first class support to visiting designers, creative staff and props supervisors in the creation, refurbishment and alteration of props and furniture, as well as providing support for scenic painting and repairs.

Senior Prop Maker

Fixed Term contract for F2027 at CFT which runs between April and October

£699.80 per week (45 hours)

In February we’ll announce our Festival 2027 programme which runs from April to October, and we’re looking for a brilliant backstage team to join us, with contracts of various lengths and start dates which can be discussed at interview.

The 2027 Festival season promises a fantastic mix of plays and musicals, including world premieres and new writing. We work with some of the UK’s most prominent theatrical creative teams in our two world class theatres, as well as a variety of other spaces across the Festival Season. We bring people – artists and those who support artistic work – together, in an environment where creatively they can flourish and where everyone is valued.

As a Senior Prop Maker, you will provide first class support to visiting designers, creative staff and props supervisors in the creation, refurbishment and alteration of props and furniture, as well as providing support for scenic painting and repairs.

Full details and the JD can be found on our website https://www.cft.org.uk/jobs

To apply

To apply please send your CV and a covering letter, or video, to recruitment@cft.org.uk by the deadline, quoting job reference: 2610SPM in the subject line. In your covering letter or video, please let us know why you are applying for the role, what excites you about joining CFT and how your experience and skills match the person specification.

We’d love to hear about what makes you a great fit in your own words. We encourage candidates not to rely on AI for their applications, as a more personalised approach gives us a better sense of who you are.

Please email recruitment@cft.org.uk if you’d like to arrange for an informal chat about the role before applying. We appreciate this may be a busy time – if you need more time to submit your application, please let us know.

Responsibilities include:

Support the Technical Director, Production Manager, Designer and Props Supervisor on pre- production, fit up and run of productions
Provide, as required, estimates of materials and labour requirements from drawings,models and basic specifications
Undertake the construction, painting and finishing of scenery, furniture, stage properties and stage effects to standards and deadlines determined by the Props Supervisor, Designer or Production Manager using personal creative skills
Work with a wide variety of materials including but not limited to timber, metal, plastics,glass fibre and soft fabrics
Work accurately and quickly from drawings, models, reference material and basic specifications
Correctly and safely use a wide range of work equipment, including woodworking and metal working tools and With the Prop Maker and Props Technician/Maker ensure the safe storage and use of any substances used by the department paying close attention to instructions on material safety data sheets, instructions and COSHH guidelines
With the Prop Maker and Props Technician/Maker ensure that all working, and storage areas are kept safe and tidy at all times and that all waste is disposed of daily
Be responsible for the day to day running of the Props Workshop and provide supervision and leadership of any department staff, as well as trainees and volunteers
With the Props Co-ordinator, Prop Maker and the Props Technician/Maker, ensure that budgetary control is exercised over materials and running costs
With the Prop Maker and Props Technician/Maker participate in the day-to-day management and operations of the props workshop
Support CFT’s drive to Carbon Net Zero and support the adoption of the Theatre Greenbook and its promotion to all stakeholders, employing environmentally positive procedures and technologies in the workshop
Ensure that the flow of information both within the department and to others is clear, accurate and timely
Attend meetings and report information back to the department
Adopt a responsible attitude towards the proper use, care and security of premises and property belonging to, or under the responsibility of the theatre
Undertake training as required, instructing others in the use of technical equipment and to take a proactive role on the support of trainees, apprentices and volunteers ensuring their safety at all times
Work collaboratively to reach the relevant Theatre Greenbook standard benchmark on productions as defined and be sustainably minded in all decisions
Supervise paint calls as and when required machinery, sewing machines and paint spraying equipment

Ideal candidates will have:

Excellent skills in all aspects of prop making, painting and finishing of scenery and furniture in a variety of materials, including timber, steel, aluminium and plastics
Experience of different products and processes such as casting and mould making
Ability to use wood working and/or metal working tools and equipment
Ability to work to given designs and deadlines
Ability to work accurately and efficiently from drawings, scale models, reference materials and basic instruction
Supervisory and leadership skills; this should be demonstrated by showing experience of having run a department previously
The commitment and drive to produce work of the highest standard
A practical knowledge of relevant Health and Safety regulations
Relevant experience of technical theatre in a producing environment.
The ability to communicate with staff at all levels
The ability to work well under pressure and the ability to plan and prioritise work effectively.
Good at working in a team
Good logistical skills
Commitment to achieving high standards with the resources available