Lighting Designer

Lighting Designer

Reports to:  Directors for upper school fall play, upper school musical, and middle school musical.

William Penn Charter School is a Quaker, all gender, pre-K-12 independent day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is “that of God” in every person. A school that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented, and valued. Our curriculum embraces an array of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.

As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts, and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement, and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators, and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.

POSITION SUMMARY

William Penn Charter School seeks lighting designers for the 2026-2027 upper school fall play (early Nov.), upper school musical (late Feb.), and middle school musical (mid-May). This design position is expected to work in collaboration with the director to create a lighting design for the production. This person must be able to hang, focus, and add color to a design while working with students who are learning the various aspects of lighting design and lightboard operation. This person is also expected to be a part of the production team along with the other designers.

Essential Functions:

• Hanging and focusing lights and specials, adding color
• Writing cues and loading them into the light board
• Supervising the students running the light board and the projections, if necessary, as well as teaching the skills necessary for operating any of the lighting or projection equipment
• Performing a light/projection check prior to tech rehearsals and shows, maintaining lighting equipment (replacing lamps), and making sure the cues are executed correctly during the run of the show.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Inspire and motivate the stage crew students, helping them build confidence and develop their skills.
• Provide constructive feedback during rehearsals.
• Able to take constructive criticism.
• Experience teaching teenagers with varying skill levels.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with adults and students.
• Able to work in a collaborative team atmosphere.

Requirements: 

• Attend a virtual or in-person production meeting with the other designers and director.
• Meet with the director on site at least once prior to tech rehearsals. 
• Attend designer run throughs as needed. 

• Availability for tech week, shows, and strike.

Salary 

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

• This is a paid position with a stipend of $2,200.00 per show worked.
• Clearances must be obtained before work with the students begins.

Please submit a resume and references to Deb Terpstra: dterpstra@penncharter.com