Work With Us
Opportunities at Porchlight Music Theatre
Porchlight is Chicago’s center for music theatre thanks to the work of our dedicated and talented staff and artists. If you have skills and experience that would be an asset to our team, we’d love to meet you!
Porchlight Music Theatre is a professional, nonprofit Chicago theatre with an annual budget of about $2.5million. We are part of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, operating on a CAT II contract, as well as the Chicago Federation of Musicians.
Celebrating the past, present and future of this unique American art form for more than 25 years, Porchlight is in residence at the historic, intimate Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago’s Gold Coast, and completed the best-attended and highest-grossing season in its history just prior to the pandemic.
Porchlight delights more than 30,000 patrons each season with a three- to four-show Mainstage season of inventively reimagined classics, recent Broadway hits and new musical finds; a Porchlight Revisits series of rarely seen musicals in limited run with enhanced dramaturgy; a New Faces Sing Broadway cabaret series; and a free Broadway in your Backyard neighborhood-park concert series, in addition to educational programs for students of all ages through classes and camps, Chicago Public Schools and community partnerships.
It’s an exciting time to be a part of Porchlight Music Theatre!
Job Postings
AUDIENCE SERVICES
Audience Services Manager
Porchlight Music Theatre, the award-winning center for music theatre in Chicago, seeks a motivated, highly organized individual to join our dynamic team for our 26/27 season at The Biograph Theatre, 2433 North Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL. The Audience Services Manager provides day to day supervision of all front-of-house operations and ensures a safe, efficient, satisfying and memorable experience for all audiences while maximizing ticket sales and donated income.
This part-time, hourly position begins early August and runs until May 2027.
Major duties and responsibilities include:
- Serve as lead for all front-of-house activities, providing a positive customer experience and ensuring a safe and pleasant patron environment
- Train, manage, supervise, and schedule box office and front-of-house personnel
- Oversee all ticketing operations, through PatronManager including order processing, sales reconciliation, daily/weekly/monthly sales reports.
- Prepares and maintains box office financial and attendance records, including receipts, deposits, ticketing reports, and event summaries in coordination with PMT leadership
- Oversee inventory and readiness of box office and front-of-house supplies
- Respond to audience concerns and service issues professionally and efficiently
- Oversee safety and emergency preparedness program for audiences and respond to emergency situations as needed
- Collaborate with all departments as needed for the overall success of special events/rentals
- Manage volunteer ushers (Saints)
- Anticipate and meet the requirements of special needs patrons ensuring ADA standards are met
- Serve as primary contact for PatronManager including configuring new events, maintaining data, and designing new reports
- Maintain and update the organization’s audience services policy and procedure manual
- Oversee concession operations, including the ordering and inventory management of food, beverages and supplies
Qualifications:
Required:
- Minimum 3 years’ experience working in audience services for a professional
- performing arts organization
Availability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends. - Strong experience in PatronManager
- Excellent phone skills with a friendly and supportive personality (both on the phone and off)
- Punctuality and professionalism
- Commitment to providing a healthy and safe work environment
Preferred:
- Love of the arts, especially musicals
- Ability to work efficiently in a collaborative team setting and liaison with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced work environment while maintaining great attention to detail
- Ability to effectively prioritize responsibilities and work activities
- Flexibility and willingness to adapt as business demands
COMPENSATION:
$25/HOUR
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to:
Jenna Deja
Interim Executive Director,
jenna@porchlightmusictheatre.org
EDUCATION
Technical Director – George Westinghouse College Prep
Porchlight is proud to partner with George Westinghouse College Prep to support their theater programs fall and spring theater productions. The Technical Director is a key player in the partnership who helps manage the in-school masterclasses, building of the set, teaching basics of stage carpentry to students as well as other technical needs of all productions. They work closely with Porchlight’s Education Director and Westinghouse’s Lead Drama Teacher to ensure quality program delivery and the growth of the program.
Responsibilities:
- Work with Education Director and Theater Director to create schedule of masterclasses, set building, and tech rehearsal
- Create a plan for building, painting, and design of theater sets including portions that will be completed by students in Theater I-IV classes.
- Troubleshoot any issues with student mics and sound mixing
- Act as a Master Carpenter to ensure set pieces are built on schedule
Schedule:
- 11/3-11/7 (8:00 am – 3:10) Build and paint
- 11/8 (12:00 pm – 6:00 pm) Dry Tech
- 11/10 (11:30 am – 9:00 pm) Tech
- 11/11 Schedule flex for catch up
- 11/12 (8:00 am – 3:30 pm) Matinee
- 11/13 (12:00 – 8:00 pm) Show
- 11/14 (5:00 pm – 10:00 pm) Show
- 11/15 (12:00 pm – 5:00 pm) Show
- 11/17 & 11/18 (8:00 am – 3:10 pm) Strike
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should reach out to Education Director, Rebeccah Singer, at rebeccah@porchlightmusictheatre.org. Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre are strongly encouraged to apply.
Teaching Artist
Porchlight accepts resumes for Teaching Artists on a rolling basis for all youth programs – specifically for in-school residencies and after-school programs.
$25-35/hour plus paid prep time and travel stipend per class.
If you are interested (or know anyone who may be interested) in this role, send an email with your teaching resume attached to our Education Director, Rebeccah Singer, at rebeccah@
Responsibilities:
- Work with Education Director and teaching team to plan, prepare, and execute classes upon agreed schedule
- Attend teachers’ meeting prior to the start of the teaching session and agreed upon number of continuing training and professional development sessions
- Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class and be ready to receive students at class time
- Not miss more than two classes per session
- Communicate the need for a sub as soon as possible to Education Director
- Participate in self evaluation and provide feedback on teaching team and class experience
- Restore the classroom space after class each day
- Communicate the need for all printing and supplies as soon as possible, or purchase and submit reimbursement
- Adhere to all deadlines for class communications including newsletters and programs
How to Apply:
Please send your teaching resume to Education Director, Rebeccah Singer, at rebeccah@porchlightmusictheatre.org. Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theatre – especially residents of Chicago’s south and west side and Spanish speaking teaching artists – are strongly encouraged to apply.
PRODUCTION
ASSISTANT COSTUME SUPERVISOR and WARDROBE SUPERVISOR
as ASSISTANT COSTUME SUPERVISOR:
-Work with the Costume Supervisor to ensure the Costume Designer’s vision is executed and completed on time and within budget.
-Attend all production meetings as requested by the Costume Supervisor.
-Communicate with the Costume Supervisor, responding in a timely manner to emails, texts and phone calls, to ensure all information is communicated, providing updates throughout the process.
-Communicate with the Hair and Makeup staff to guarantee all Costume department needs are being met.
-Assist in coordinating and acquiring all costume materials by pulling from stock, purchasing, building and or renting from approved vendors.
-Participate in the construction of all costume elements as requested by the Costume Supervisor, ensuring delivery by the production deadlines unless otherwise approved by the Costume Supervisor.
-Assist in hiring, training and managing additional costume labor for the build of costumes.
-Ensure the safety of build and use of costume machinery as requested by the Costume Supervisor.
-Assist in the creation and maintenance of documentation to properly track the costume design, character changes, understudy plan and budget.
-Assist the Costume Supervisor in managing and reconciling the costume budget, including expenses incurred by the designer, according to the processes provided by Production Management.
as WARDROBE SUPERVISOR:
-Attend all production meetings as requested by Production Management.
-Communicate with the Costume Supervisor and Production Management, providing updates throughout the process.
-Collaborate with fellow production departments ensuring interdepartmental needs and schedules are addressed.
-Create and maintain documentation to properly track all costume care, repairs, alterations, and tracked locations for use and maintenance during the run and according to the budget.
-Create, distribute and maintain documentation to properly explain the run of show duties and schedules for the Wardrobe Crew including creating and updating laundry maintenance paperwork, setting laundry schedules and dry cleaning schedules.
-Participate in the hiring of as well as lead the training and supervision of wardrobe crew.
-Collaborate with the Costume Supervisor and the Hair and Makeup staff to ensure the costume, hair and makeup design is properly transported, implemented, and maintained.
-Lead the load-in and set up dressing rooms and backstage wardrobe areas.
-Collaborate with other production departments to establish quick change areas backstage.
-Be an integral part of the Wardrobe Crew during performances.
-Ensure that all performers, including understudies and musicians, if required, have costume pieces, wigs and accessories that are properly functioning, appropriate to the performer, safe and clean to use.
-Ensure all laundry is dry, ironed/steamed as required, and all costume pieces, accessories and wigs are ready no less than thirty minutes before each performance.
-Assist actors with any dressing, hair, or makeup needs in preparation to and during performances including quick changes.
-Manage and maintain costume needs including making last minute repairs during performances and working with the Costume Supervisor on long term solutions.
-Maintain the cleanliness, supply, and organization of the wardrobe area, stock, tools and materials.
-Attend put-in and brush-up rehearsals upon the request of the Stage Manager.
-Lead the strike of costumes at the conclusion of the run including final laundry, dry cleaning, return to stock at PMT costume storage and preparation to return to rental sources.
-Be responsible for managing and reconciling the wardrobe budget within one week of show closing, including expenses incurred by designers, according to the processes provided by production management.
SCHEDULES
Little Shop of Horrors
Prep work will begin before rehearsals start at mutually agreeable times.
Oct 5-Oct 27, 2026 – Rehearsals
Oct 28-Nov 1, 2026 – Tech
Nov 4-7, 2026 – Previews/Rehearsal
Nov 8, 2026 Press Opening
Advertised close: Dec 13, 2027
Anticipated close: Jan, 3, 2027
Presented at the Biograph Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Dead Outlaw
Prep work will begin before rehearsals start at mutually agreeable times.
Jan 11-Feb 2, 2027 – Rehearsals
Feb 3-7, 2027 – Tech
Feb 10-13, 2027 – Previews/Rehearsal
Feb 14, 2027 Press Opening
Advertised close: Mar 21, 2027
Anticipated close: Apr 11, 2027
Presented at the Biograph Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
COMPENSATION
$25.00 per hour
TO APPLY
Send Cover Letter and Resume to Michael@
WARDROBE ASSISTANT
WARDROBE ASSISTANT duties:
-Assist the Assistant Costume Supervisor/Wardrobe Supervisor in managing and maintaining any costume needs including stitching and repairs during the performance RUN.
-Assist in managing and maintaining any hair & makeup needs during the performance RUN.
-Be responsible for all laundering and dry cleaning of costumes as determined by the Assistant Costume Supervisor/Wardrobe Supervisor and the Production Management Team.
-Attend all designer run rehearsals as requested by the Assistant Costume Supervisor/Wardrobe Supervisor and Production Management.
-Provide hair styling assistance and minor wig maintenance as needed during the RUN.
-Be on time for all rehearsals and performance calls.
-Be on time and present for any load-in calls as requested by the Assistant Costume Supervisor/Wardrobe Supervisor and Production Management.
-Be on time and present for all tech rehearsals.
-Be present in the theater at a time determined by Assistant Costume Supervisor/Wardrobe Supervisor and Production Management for performances.
-Assist in the strike of all costumes, hair, and makeup materials used in the PRODUCTION as requested by the Assistant Costume Supervisor/Wardrobe Supervisor and Production Management. This includes final laundry, dry cleaning and returning items to stock at PMT Studios.
SCHEDULES
Little Shop of Horrors
Prep work will begin before rehearsals start at mutually agreeable times.
Oct 28-Nov 1, 2026 – Tech
Nov 4-7, 2026 – Previews/Rehearsal
Nov 8, 2026 Press Opening
Advertised close: Dec 13, 2027
Anticipated close: Jan, 3, 2027
Presented at the Biograph Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Dead Outlaw
Prep work will begin before rehearsals start at mutually agreeable times.
Feb 3-7, 2027 – Tech
Feb 10-13, 2027 – Previews/Rehearsal
Feb 14, 2027 Press Opening
Advertised close: Mar 21, 2027
Anticipated close: Apr 11, 2027
Presented at the Biograph Theater, 2433 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
COMPENSATION
$23.00 per hour
TO APPLY
Send Cover Letter and Resume to Michael@
Be a Part of Our Team As a Volunteer*
Porchlight Music Theatre welcomes volunteers to assist our staff on a variety of projects and events.
- Volunteer benefits include complimentary tickets to Porchlight Music Theatre productions and events, as available.
- Volunteers must complete and submit an application, and an interview will be conducted either in person or via phone.
For more information, please email info@porchlightmusictheatre.org, subject: Volunteer.
*Please note that theatre ushers are provided by The Saints, Volunteers for the Performing Arts. For information on how you can become a Saint, call (773) 529-5510.
INTERNSHIPS
Join the Team. Be a Porchlight Intern.
Porchlight Music Theatre’s Internship program is an opportunity for qualified college students, graduates and young professionals to learn in a hands-on environment as part of the staff of a non-profit theater. Porchlight offers internships in different categories: Artistic Administration, Education & Outreach, Development & Special Events, Marketing & PR/Publicity, and Artistic/Casting.
Porchlight Interns work closely with their departments on special projects and ongoing work. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Porchlight Music Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. You can find more information about each internship in “more info”.
Questions? Email rebeccah@porchlightmusictheatre.org
Porchlight is NOT accepting applications for internships at this time. Thank you for your interest.
Script Submissions
Porchlight Music Theatre accepts full length scripts year-round from literary agents and theatre professionals with whom we have an existing professional relationship. We invite unrepresented writers to submit a brief bio, short synopsis, and ten pages of sample dialogue and music on CD or sent electronically.